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

Joining the shapes


Most of the modeling is done, but this mug is not quite ready to print. The body and handle are still two separate pieces and the bottom of the body, while flatter, isn't quite flat enough to trust to printing. We will be making some changes that will make further editing difficult so first we will make a duplicate of the mug's body easily modifiable objects.

Even though it's only been a while set another save point (Press F2, then Numpad +, and click on Save As Blender File) now.

Carry out the following steps to make a duplicate of the mug:

  1. Center the view on all visible objects (Shift + C).

  2. Select the mug body (right-click).

  3. Do not touch the mouse.

  4. Object | Duplicate or press Shift + D to begin the duplicate operation.

  5. If the mouse is moved the duplicate will move which can be useful at times but do not move the mouse this time.

  6. Press Enter to end the duplication operation.

With two identical shapes in the same location it can get confusing to select the correct one, so we're...