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

Installing Blender


This will be the first project in the book. Fortunately downloading and installing Blender is as easy as 1-2-3-4.

  1. Go to www.blender.org.

  2. Click on the Download link.

  3. Choose and download the installer for your system: Windows, Mac, or Linux, 32 bit or 64 bit.

  4. Run the installer.

The installer will guide the process of loading Blender and adding icons to the system.

Windows Blender.org offers installer executable and ZIP files. The zip files are for advanced users who want a portable version of Blender. When in doubt choose the executable since it will set up icons making for easy access. If in doubt whether to use the 32 or 64-bit versions picking the 32-bit will insure compatibility, but it is a good idea to find out what type of system it is being installed on as 64-bit offers significant performance improvements.

Windows 7 or greater will confirm that the installer should be run. Click on Yes to assure Windows that it's okay to install Blender.

Then the installer will run. The install wizard's defaults are fine for most users. Simply put the mouse over the Next button and click on every button that appears under it. On the second screen read over the Blender Terms of Service and click on I Agree to proceed. Unless you manage your installed programs directories yourself it is best to leave the defaults on the third screen as it is. Then click on Next and the install process will start.

When the install process finishes leave the check box check and click on Finish to exit the installer and run Blender.