Book Image

Blender 3D Printing by Example

By : Vicky Somma
5 (1)
Book Image

Blender 3D Printing by Example

5 (1)
By: Vicky Somma

Overview of this book

Blender is an open-source modeling and animation program popular in the 3D printing community. 3D printing brings along different considerations than animation and virtual reality. This book walks you through four projects to learn using Blender for 3D Printing, giving you information that you need to know to create high-quality 3D printed objects. The book starts with two jewelry projects-- a pendant of a silhouette and a bracelet with custom text. We then explore architectural modeling as you learn to makes a figurine from photos of a home. The final project, a human hand, illustrates how Blender can be used for organic models and how colors can be added to the design. You will learn modeling for 3D printing with the help of these projects. Whether you plan to print at-home or use a service bureau, you’ll start by understanding design requirements. The book begins with simple projects to get you started with 3D modeling basics and the tools available in Blender. As the book progresses, you’ll get exposed to more robust mesh modeling techniques, modifiers, and Blender shortcuts. By the time you reach your final project, you’ll be ready for organic modeling and learning how to add colors. In the final section, you’ll learn how to check for and correct common modeling issues to ensure the 3D printer can make your idea a reality!
Table of Contents (16 chapters)

Finalizing the bracelet

When we use the Boolean Union Modifier, our main concern is getting rid of internal vertices and overlapping geometry that would potentially confuse the slicer and the 3D printer. In the case of our coordinates, if we align them perfectly flush with the rest of the base, there will be no such overlap. We would be able to safely export our work without having to do the formal Boolean Union.

Since the Object Origin of our coordinates is at the bottom of the letters, we will want to set that to match the Z position of the top surface of our bracelet plate to line them up. If the letters were higher than that, our text would not be connected to the base. If they are lower than that, the letters would extend inside the base and create the confusing overlap:

You want the bottom of the text to line up with the top of the base plate.

The steps to look up that...