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

Drawing the details


Blender's sculpting tools allow for organic modeling of objects with simple motions. As of version 2.66 those tools were updated with Dynamic Topology, making them nearly as good as commercial sculpting tools. In the past sculpt mode worked best with very high resolution models, but now the resolution can be automatically and dynamically changed in local areas keeping the rest of the mesh a more manageable resolution.

Tip

Slow down with this part. The tools and techniques taught in this section are very much like drawing, only in 3D. Some users may find this more suited to their tastes. While there may not be as many steps shown expect to take a little extra time doing each step until it looks right. Just like with pen and paper good drawing takes time. Slow down, take it easy, and enjoy the process.

Another tip for drawing is zooming out frequently. Staying zoomed in all the time it becomes difficult to see the whole for the details sometimes. It's best to zoom in, do some...