Book Image

3D Printing Designs: The Sun Puzzle

By : Joe Larson
Book Image

3D Printing Designs: The Sun Puzzle

By: Joe Larson

Overview of this book

Jigsaw puzzles derive their name from when they were cut from wood sheets using a hand-woodworking tool called a jig saw back in the 1760s. Have you ever wondered how a model idea for a jigsaw puzzle is articulated, and how it was made with these traditional tools? Through this book, you will master the techniques of designing simple to complex puzzles models for 3D printing. We will quickly introduce you to some simple and effective principles of designing 3D printed objects using Blender. Through the course of the book, you'll explore various robust sculpting methods supported by Blender that allow you to edit objects with actions such as bends or curves, similar to drawing or building up a clay structure of different shapes and sizes. Finally, when the model is sculpted, you'll learn some methods to cut the model and carve out multiple pieces of perfectly-fitting edges of different geometries to complete the puzzle. ------------------------------------------- Note from CM - [Page count: 60] [Price: $9.99 eBook | $19.99 print]
Table of Contents (11 chapters)

Exporting an STL


Before they can be used in a 3D printer, 3D models created in Blender have to be changed to a file that the 3D printer can use. Blender's default file format isn't readable by 3D printers and can sometimes contain additional information that the 3D printers don't need.

Most 3D printers use a file format called STereoLithography (STL), which contains just the final shape of the object. To export a finished model to an STL for 3D printing, follow these steps:

  1. Select the model or models to be exported.

  2. From the Info panel, choose File | Export | Stl (.stl).

  3. Navigate to a chosen folder or directory.

  4. Give the file a name.

  5. Click on the Export STL button or press the Enter key:

Now, the STL file will be available to send to a 3D printer or printer service.

If multiple objects are selected, the exported STL will have the objects in the same relative orientation to each other; therefore, it's important that they don't overlap and are printable as oriented. It's often preferable to save separate...