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)

Finding and fixing non-manifold edges

When I first started 3D printing, the non-manifold edge was an intimidating concept to grasp. For our purposes, you can think of manifold as something that can be manufactured and become a real-life object. Everything has an inside and an outside, is connected, has a thickness, and would make sense to the 3D printer. Non-manifold, on the other hand, would be a geometry that can't exist in real life.

Exploring examples of non-manifold edges

For a more concrete way of looking at it, all your edges should be connected to two faces with matching normals. Edges that don't meet that criteria will be flagged as non-manifold. Some examples are explained in the following sections:

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