Introduction to 3D Printing Software
Having completed Introduction to 3D Printing Hardware, you now know how to download 3D-printable models from internet sites like Thingiverse. In this workshop you'll begin down the path of creating your *own* 3D-printable designs from scratch. You will be introduced to three computer aided design (CAD) software programs: Tinkercad, Shapr3D, and Forger.
This workshop provides 10 hours of hands-on learning, resulting in 1 continuing education unit (CEU).
This workshop provides 10 hours of hands-on learning, resulting in 1 continuing education unit (CEU).
Introduction
The computer aided design (CAD) programs you'll be introduced to in this workshop use three different modeling methodologies: primitive shape manipulation, 2D sketch extrusion, and virtual sculpting. This brief slideshow highlights the differences.
- Three types of modeling software (slideshow)
Primitives: Tinkercad
Tinkercad is a modeling program that uses primitive shapes like cubes and spheres as basic building blocks. These shapes can be added to--or subtracted from--one another to create new shapes. Don't be fooled by its misleading simplicity. Tinkercad is an essential tool for all designers, from beginners to pros.
Lesson: Creating a chess pawn
- Creating a chess pawn in Tinkercad (video)
Assignment: Create a chess pawn or other model of your choosing
- Using Tinkercad, create an original model
- Export your model as an STL file
- Import your STL file into FlashPrint, slice, and export as a GCODE file
- Print your GCODE file on your Finder
- Take clear, detailed photos of your printed model
- Upload the photos of your print to Tinkercad and make the design public (learn how)
- Copy the public link for your design (learn how)
- Use the contact form on the homepage of this site to send me the public link to your design
Tinkercad Tours
- SVG files, moving shapes, multi-color (video)
- Printing in two colors (video)
- Duplicate and repeat (video)
- Align, ruler, workplane, transparency, hide (video)
- Beyond basic shapes (video)
- Embedding a design (video)
Tinkercad resources
- Starters - Use these interactive tutorials to learn the basic functions of Tinkercad.
- Lessons - Look through these interactive Lessons and try out a few. They provide good practice in becoming comfortable with Tinkercad's user interface.
- Tinkercad blog - This blog is a good place to learn about Tinkercad features old and new.
- Ten tips for mastering Tinkercad (slideshow) - Here are 10 tips to help you get the most out of Tinkercad.
- Tinkercad TinkerTips (YouTube playlist) - Tinkercad's official YouTube channel provides you with "quick tips and essentials."
- Tinkercad tutorials (YouTube playlist) - More tutorials from Tinkercad's official YouTube channel.
- Custom fonts in Tinkercad (Instructable) - Dissatisfied with Tinkercad's limited text options? This tutorial shows you how to add custom fonts, greatly expanding your text design options.
- Uploading a photo to Tinkercad and making a design public (slideshow) - Share your Tinkercad designs with the world!
- How to embed an STL viewer into a webpage or blog (slideshow) - Shows how to embed a Tinkercad design into a web page, blog, or other online platform.
Sketches: Shapr3D
In Shapr3D you begin the modeling process with a two-dimensional sketch, then extrude your sketch into a three-dimensional body. Think of drawing a square and extruding that square into a cube.
Shapr3D is free to download and try out. However, a paid subscription is required to export high quality files. Currently, the standard subscription price is $20 per month. As a student, however, you can get full access to Shapr3D for free for one year.
You can download Shapr3D here. You can find the educational discount here.
Shapr3D is free to download and try out. However, a paid subscription is required to export high quality files. Currently, the standard subscription price is $20 per month. As a student, however, you can get full access to Shapr3D for free for one year.
You can download Shapr3D here. You can find the educational discount here.
Lesson: Creating a cord drop
Assignment: Create a cord drop or other model of your choosing
- Using Shapr3D, create a drapery cord drop or other model of your choosing
- Export your model as an STL file
- Upload the STL file to Tinkercad and make the design public (learn how)
- Import your STL file into FlashPrint, slice, and export as a GCODE file
- Print your GCODE file on your Finder
- Take a screenshot of your model in Shapr3D
- Take clear, detailed photos of your printed model
- Upload the Shapr3D screenshot and the photos of your print to Tinkercad
- Copy the public link for your design (learn how)
- Use the contact form on the homepage of this site to send me public link to your design
Lesson: Creating a cable wrap
- Adding a reference image and sketching the base (video)
- Using loft to form the model body (video)
- Adding holes to secure the cable end (video)
- Slicing the model (video)
Assignment: Create a power adapter cable wrap or other model of your choosing
- Using Shapr3D, create a power adapter cable wrap or other model of your choosing
- Export your model as an STL file
- Upload the STL file to Tinkercad and make the design public (learn how)
- Import your STL file into FlashPrint, slice, and export as a GCODE file
- Print your GCODE file on your Finder
- Take a screenshot of your model in Shapr3D
- Take clear, detailed photos of your printed model
- Upload the Shapr3D screenshot and the photos of your print to Tinkercad
- Copy the public link for your design (learn how)
- Use the contact form on the homepage of this site to send me public link to your design
Shapr3D resources
- Draw 2D sketches (YouTube playlist)
- Creating simple 3D bodies (YouTube playlist)
- Creating complex 3D bodies (YouTube playlist)
Virtual Clay: Forger
3D sculpting software programs allow you to make highly organic shapes. Like a sculptor starting with a ball of clay, you begin with a virtual ball of clay and push and pull it to create your model. In this class, we'll use the Forger app as a representative of this style of modeling.
Forger is free to download and try out. However, a paid subscription is required to export files. Currently, the regular subscription price is $1.99 for one month or $14.99 for a year.
You can download Forger here.
Forger is free to download and try out. However, a paid subscription is required to export files. Currently, the regular subscription price is $1.99 for one month or $14.99 for a year.
You can download Forger here.
Lesson: Creating and alien bust
- Forger introduction and subscription options (video)
- Creating an alien bust (video)
- Slicing the alien bust (video)
Assignment: Create an alien bust or other model of your choosing
- Using Forger, create an alien creature or other model of your choosing
- Export your model as an STL file
- Upload the STL file to Tinkercad and make the design public (learn how)
- Import your STL file into FlashPrint, slice, and export as a GCODE file
- Print your GCODE file on your Finder
- Take a screenshot of your model in Forger
- Take clear, detailed photos of your printed model
- Upload the Forger screenshot and the photos of your print to Tinkercad
- Copy the public link for your design (learn how)
- Use the contact form on the homepage of this site to send me public link to your design
Forger resources
- Forger channel (YouTube)
- Forger tutorials by SoutherGFX (YouTube)
- Time-lapse creature sculpt by andych56 (YouTube)
- Forger user manual (website)