The final task of our current mission is to take the file we exported in the third task and turn it into a physical object. I will show you how to print these STL files on a desktop 3D printer, and how to order them from an online 3D printing service. The 3D printer I used for these examples is the Makerbot CupCake CNC (2009). Other printers use different control software, but the steps required to convert an STL file to a physical object are very similar on each of them.
If you don't have a 3D printer at home, you can try to find a hackerspace or fab lab near you. These are groups of makers and hackers who meet on a regular basis to share their projects and provide the tools and information to get them done. Many of them have 3D printers these days.
From step 9 onwards, I also show you how to use an online 3D printing service to order your object. I used http://www.shapeways.com for this example because they offer a wide range of materials to choose from and deliver to most...