Preface

There's a wealth of information available on the Internet about 3D printing. For a novice, just starting out with a RepRap 3D printer and with limited or no experience with 3D modeling, this can create a daunting task of online searching for what is relevant and helpful.

This book will help plot a course for you and bring to your attention what a designer, artist, or creative hobbyist will find most useful.

Each chapter of this book will introduce you to simple methods of creating original content and at the same time, expose you to the technical aspects of the 3D printing process. Each chapter will ease you into more complex techniques and at the same time expose you to new software tools, which will help expand your technical abilities.

For those who are more experienced, this book will provide a handy reference for comparing the two slicers, Skeinforge and Slic3r. It will also provide you with a quick reference of software functions for some of the more advanced programs such as MeshLab and TopMod.

Overall, this is my 3D printing bible. I'm an artist with serious intentions of making some really cool stuff. This book is the culmination of a year's worth of 3D modeling and printing. Over 600 individual prints were created to test the functions and possibilities of the technologies covered in this book.

If you follow the recipes in this book, you'll learn how to master what is sometimes a frustrating, annoyingly fickle, and time-consuming process, but a process that will open the doors to a wonderful world of new and exciting objects.