Book Image

3D Printing Blueprints

By : Joe Larson
Book Image

3D Printing Blueprints

By: Joe Larson

Overview of this book

A new industrial age is here. Machines designed to build useful and interesting objects have moved from the factory to the home. Whether you have a 3D printer or not, learning how to design your first 3D models is the best way to become part of the 3D printing movement. 3D Printing Blueprints will teach you, step by step, the tools and techniques of using Blender, a free 3D modelling program, to build 3D models for printing with simple and fun hands-on projects.3D Printing Blueprints uses engaging and fun projects that teach Blender modeling for 3D printing through 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. Through the course of doing the blueprints you will custom build one-of-a-kind objects that you can call your own. Starting from a custom vase formed from a picture, lessons will progress to a multi-part modular robot toy. Then simple machines will be designed with custom gears and functions. Eventually you'll learn how to download models from the Internet and make custom objects. Finally you'll be able to build models with near real life specifications and make a print that can be used for small object repair. 3D Printing Blueprints will teach you everything you need to know about building custom 3D models to print successfully on modern home 3D printers.
Table of Contents (17 chapters)
3D Printing Blueprints
Credits
About the Author
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Index

Getting started


Blender opens with a default scene that contains a cube, a light, and a camera, none of which are necessary for this project. So to begin, the virtual work area will need to be cleared and a new file will be created for this project. Saving early is a good idea to name the project area. Saving often is a good idea in case anything bad happens; there is always a risk with any computer project. Saving incrementally is a good idea as a kind of back-up undo memory. And as this is the first project, a basic directory for the projects to follow will be set up. Carry out the following steps to create a new file in Blender:

  1. Open Blender.

  2. In the menu at the bottom of the 3D View panel choose Select | (De)Select All or press A to toggle the selection. As the cube was selected before this, the toggle will switch it so nothing is selected.

  3. Choose Select | (De)Select All or press A again to select everything in the default scene.

  4. Choose Object | Delete or press X to start the delete operation...