Preface
A new industrial age is here. Machines designed to build useful and interesting objects have moved from the factory to the home. But these 3D printers can't make things without a design. Whether you have a 3D printer or not, designing things for 3D printers to make is the best way to become a part of the 3D printing movement. Learn to design successful models for home by 3D printing on a Makerbot or other 3D printer with cool hands-on lessons.
If you've ever won a round of Pictionary you've got all the artistic skill it takes to get started. If you've ever gotten past level 1 on Tetris then you've got spatial reasoning. If you've ever played with modeling clay then you know all about designing in three dimensions. You can learn and practice the rules of design that will take your virtual models to real life prints you can hold in your hands as well as enable your creations to stand out on popular websites such as Thingiverse.
This book uses blueprints; simple, fun projects that teach Blender modeling for 3D printing in hands-on lessons. First you'll learn basic modeling and make a small simple object. Then each new project brings with it new tools and techniques as well as teaching the rules of 3D printing design. Eventually you'll be building objects designed to repair or replace everyday objects. Finally, you'll be able to even tackle other people's models and fix them to be 3D printable.
What this book covers
Chapter 1, Design Tools and Basics, will start with the rules of designing objects for successful 3D prints and then introduce the software that will be used.
Chapter 2, Mini Mug, introduces the most common modeling tools to make a simple object.
Chapter 3, Face Illusion Vase, uses a reference image, a picture, to help create the shape of a 3D object.
Chapter 4, SD Card Holder Ring, takes measurement of real-life objects and translates them to the design space. Success is measured by how closely the print matches the real life object.
Chapter 5, Modular Robot Toy, combines separate parts with joints to make a single object.
Chapter 6, D6 Spinner, uses the add-on functionality to allow Blender to create new objects and using that to model a new way to choose a number from 1 to 6.
Chapter 7, Teddy Bear Figurine, introduces a different method of modeling that can be used to make appealing organic shapes.
Chapter 8, Repairing Bad Models, is a good skill to have when working with other's 3D models, particularly those that might not have been made for 3D printing.
Chapter 9, Stretchy Bracelet, shows how advanced 3D printing options can change the way a model is printed.
Chapter 10, Measuring – Tips and Tricks, are important to know when translating real life into the design space.
What you need for this book
This book uses only Blender for 3D modeling available at www.blender.org, a free, open source program. The first chapter covers downloading and installing Blender.
If you have a Makerbot or other brand of 3D printer you will need software to prepare models for print. Either Slicer or ReplicatorG is recommended for Makerbots. No other software will be necessary for this book.
An account on Thingiverse (www.thingiverse.com) to upload your own models is recommended but not required.
Who this book is for
This book is for anyone with an interest in 3D printing and the slightest bit of computer skill. Whether you own a 3D printer or not you can design for them. All it takes is some free software, this book, and a little creativity and someday you'll be able to hold something designed on a computer in your hands. No special computer skills are necessary beyond simple file and directory navigation. No previous 3D modeling experience is necessary at all.
Conventions
In this book, you will find a number of styles of text that distinguish between different kinds of information. Here are some examples of these styles, and an explanation of their meaning.
Code words in text, database table names, folder names, filenames, file extensions, pathnames, dummy URLs, user input, and Twitter handles are shown as follows: "Type in MakerbotBlueprints as the name for the new directory."
New terms and important words are shown in bold. Words that you see on the screen, in menus or dialog boxes for example, appear in the text like this: "Click on the Download link".
Note
Warnings or important notes appear in a box like this.
Tip
Tips and tricks appear like this.
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