About me and the project
Hi, I’m Brad, the creator behind The Parametric Guitar Project! This site represents the merging of two lifelong passions: playing guitars and designing in 3D. For more than 25 years I’ve been exploring where those worlds collide, gradually evolving from rough 3D models to refined parametric guitar designs that can be manufactured with precision.
My creative path began in middle school when I first experimented with early 3D programs such as Bryce3D and Poser. In high school, I studied drafting for four years and discovered the satisfaction of bringing technical drawings to life. Around that same time, I began modeling guitars in 3D Studio MAX. These early projects included everything from simple Stratocaster-style shapes for Quake 3 Arena mods to more detailed acoustic guitar models. They were rudimentary and imperfect, but they planted the seeds of a passion that has followed me ever since.
After serving four years in the U.S. Marines as an engineer operating heavy equipment, I returned to my creative roots. I attended Kennesaw State University before transferring to the University of Colorado Denver to study 3D Design and Animation, where I refined my skills in professional tools such as Maya, ZBrush, and Blender. During this time, I created high-quality guitar models that connected my technical education with my lifelong love of music.
The real turning point came in 2013 when I discovered 3D printing. For the first time, I could take digital guitar models and transform them into tangible, playable instruments. That discovery led me deeper into fabrication methods, including CNC machining. Eventually, I found Autodesk Fusion 360, which became the ideal tool for developing guitars through parametric modeling.
Transitioning from traditional 3D modelers like Maya, 3D Studio MAX, and ZBrush into Fusion 360 was not easy. Instead of just learning the basics, I dove deeper, teaching myself the Fusion 360 API and Python scripting to push beyond the program’s default capabilities. In late 2016 I began development on a Fusion add-in called Guitar Engine, which could automatically generate a fretboard with precise measurements at the click of a button. While the add-in helped me complete my first successful guitar build, it eventually taught me an important lesson. A tool is only as useful as the understanding behind it. Having publicly shared it, many users struggled with what to do after the fretboard appeared, and I realized that shortcuts could not replace true mastery of Fusion’s fundamentals.
Around that same time, I created a small Facebook group called Fusion 360 Luthiers to connect with other builders experimenting in the same space. I never expected it to grow beyond a handful of members, but it has since expanded to a thriving community of over 6,000 people worldwide. Seeing so many luthiers, makers, and designers share their work and help each other has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey, and it reinforced for me how powerful community and shared knowledge can be in pushing the craft forward.
These experiences, both with Guitar Engine and with the Fusion 360 Luthiers community, reshaped my approach. Instead of focusing on automation, I turned my energy toward developing a deeper relationship with the process of building guitars in Fusion. Mastery of parametric modeling tools, careful planning of constraints, and building projects from the ground up provides far more creative freedom than relying solely on add-ins. This insight became the foundation of The Parametric Guitar Project, which serves as both a resource and a living journal of my discoveries.
Today, I use this project to create detailed, beginner-friendly documentation that guide others through building a parametric guitar in Autodesk Fusion. My philosophy is simple: teaching is one of the best ways to learn. By breaking down my process for others, I refine my own techniques and uncover better solutions. Every guitar model is an opportunity to improve not only the instrument itself but also the workflow behind it.
The Parametric Guitar Project represents the culmination of my journey so far. It is a place where digital design meets luthiery, where technical precision meets artistic vision, and where ideas can move seamlessly from the screen into the shop. Whether you are a guitarist looking to design your own custom instrument, a maker curious about how CNC and 3D printing can bring guitars to life, or a designer seeking to explore the power of parametric modeling, you will find tools, guides, and insights here to help you on your path.
For me, this work is not just about building guitars. It is about sharing knowledge, developing skills, and constantly seeking better ways to bring ideas into reality. Creating things has always been a natural part of who I am, and I believe the most rewarding part of the process is sharing that creativity with others.
Thank you for joining me on this journey into the evolving world of digital guitar design. The possibilities are endless, and I am excited to continue exploring them with you.