I want to experiment with 3D design and printing and I wonder if anyone has any experience with this process to share. My application will be production of small art pieces and components of small sculptural pieces. Interested in what you use for software, hardware.
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3D scanning and printing
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Not sure if you did any research but quick search turns up 3d printer
http://cubify.com/cube/ which provides Mac software
http://cubify.com/cube/ which provides Mac software
Thanks for response. Will check out, and also Jumpstart project a poster mentioned on different thread. Still hoping to hear from someone who has gotten down and dirty with 3D printing.
For store built printers, the http://www.makerbot.com and https://www.ultimaker.com are both awesome machines and produce quality prints. I have a homemade machine called a MendelMax that follows design principals from http://www.reprap.org.
Check out Make Magazine's review of 3D printers: http://www.makershed.com/Make_Ultimate_Guide_to_3D_Printing_2_0_p/9781457183027-p.htm?Click=163251
Check out http://www.thingiverse.com for thousands of open designs that you can simply download and print
I'm running on an older white MacBook using open software
Design:
Open SCAD - This is a programatic (e.g. code based) 3D design tool
Google Sketchup
Autocad 123D (you can get iPad version too)
Program to make object into slices for printing:
Cura
Slic3r
Programs to control printer
Pronterface
What questions do you have specifically?
Check out Make Magazine's review of 3D printers: http://www.makershed.com/Make_Ultimate_Guide_to_3D_Printing_2_0_p/9781457183027-p.htm?Click=163251
Check out http://www.thingiverse.com for thousands of open designs that you can simply download and print
I'm running on an older white MacBook using open software
Design:
Open SCAD - This is a programatic (e.g. code based) 3D design tool
Google Sketchup
Autocad 123D (you can get iPad version too)
Program to make object into slices for printing:
Cura
Slic3r
Programs to control printer
Pronterface
What questions do you have specifically?
Honestly I'd say try http://www.Shapeways.com first before you look at buying a printer. What kind of 3D experience do you have?
I do 3D design and work with a 3D printer on a regular basis. We currently use Rhino 3D for designing our products and an Objet 30 for printing. For what it is the pricing for the software is reasonable, but the printer would probably be way over budget, but the detail is awesome. Here's a few notes about software and printers.
Software:
Different 3D software is designed for different purposes. We tested Blender 3D (free) first, but since it doesn't really have a proper system for precise measurements it was a no go for product design (though it's great for animation and gaming work). You CAN find patches that can help you with that, but it being open source it meant we'd be stuck with FAQ pages and no proper customer support if we got stuck.
Strata 3D was also quite interesting, but at the time it didn't have the STL support we needed (I have heard this has been updated).
AutoCAD, Solidworks and another similar programs have the advantage of creating different types of fill for your objects, but you lose some sculpting and modeling capabilities that you might be looking for. If your goal involves industrial design these two are by far the best.
Other "consumer" software (123D, Scetchup etc). I've messed around with these as well. While they're quite easy to get started with you'll quickly run into their limitations. Also, many of their UI elements don't really transfer to more advanced software so there could be some relearning when it's time to upgrade.
We ended up going with Rhino 3D. It's a nice happy medium for product design and sculpting.
Printers:
There are a few different types with pro's and cons
Extrusion 3D printers: These usually use ABS or PLA plastics that are heated and extruded through a hot head (think of it as a fine tipped glue gun) onto a motorized bed. They're everywhere, cheap, and so is the material. The detail was ok for what we needed, but if you're making small action figures or something with a lot of fine detail you may want to save your coin or at least take some time and learn how to get the most out of these. Also, be careful to avoid models that have a wooden or plastic printing surfaces. These can warp quite quickly. Best to find one with a heated aluminum bed. Your prints will be much more consistent.
Polymer Based: These ones are only really found for industrial uses so they are NOT cheap. Basically the detail comes down to how small the polymer grain can get........so yeah, pretty sharp. Some also have some impressive color capabilities.
UV 3D printers: When it comes to detail these are by far the best and are starting to get cheaper. They use a type of liquid plastic that solidifies when it gets hit with UV light. This is what we use at my work so I'll always recommend it first. Check out Stratasys for their full line up.
Hope this helps!
Software:
Different 3D software is designed for different purposes. We tested Blender 3D (free) first, but since it doesn't really have a proper system for precise measurements it was a no go for product design (though it's great for animation and gaming work). You CAN find patches that can help you with that, but it being open source it meant we'd be stuck with FAQ pages and no proper customer support if we got stuck.
Strata 3D was also quite interesting, but at the time it didn't have the STL support we needed (I have heard this has been updated).
AutoCAD, Solidworks and another similar programs have the advantage of creating different types of fill for your objects, but you lose some sculpting and modeling capabilities that you might be looking for. If your goal involves industrial design these two are by far the best.
Other "consumer" software (123D, Scetchup etc). I've messed around with these as well. While they're quite easy to get started with you'll quickly run into their limitations. Also, many of their UI elements don't really transfer to more advanced software so there could be some relearning when it's time to upgrade.
We ended up going with Rhino 3D. It's a nice happy medium for product design and sculpting.
Printers:
There are a few different types with pro's and cons
Extrusion 3D printers: These usually use ABS or PLA plastics that are heated and extruded through a hot head (think of it as a fine tipped glue gun) onto a motorized bed. They're everywhere, cheap, and so is the material. The detail was ok for what we needed, but if you're making small action figures or something with a lot of fine detail you may want to save your coin or at least take some time and learn how to get the most out of these. Also, be careful to avoid models that have a wooden or plastic printing surfaces. These can warp quite quickly. Best to find one with a heated aluminum bed. Your prints will be much more consistent.
Polymer Based: These ones are only really found for industrial uses so they are NOT cheap. Basically the detail comes down to how small the polymer grain can get........so yeah, pretty sharp. Some also have some impressive color capabilities.
UV 3D printers: When it comes to detail these are by far the best and are starting to get cheaper. They use a type of liquid plastic that solidifies when it gets hit with UV light. This is what we use at my work so I'll always recommend it first. Check out Stratasys for their full line up.
Hope this helps!
MakerBot Replicator 2 + 3D scanner is 18% off ($651 off from $3,599)
100 micron height, up to 410 cubic inch build volume.
Makerware software is for Mac OS X 10.6 and up.
http://amzn.to/1eDCGSO
100 micron height, up to 410 cubic inch build volume.
Makerware software is for Mac OS X 10.6 and up.
http://amzn.to/1eDCGSO
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i recently seen a few on kickstarter for pretty cheap
one was called peachy. they usually look like a slightly lower detail then commercial ones ive seen
one was called peachy. they usually look like a slightly lower detail then commercial ones ive seen
I have a makerbot
its a fun toy but in my opinion not a serious replacement for professional systems like a zform printer.
If you do not have a lot of experience with these, I would find a local makershop that will allow you to rent time on them.
If you do not have a lot of experience with these, I would find a local makershop that will allow you to rent time on them.
I am using a 3D design tool for designing but not able to print it properly is there a proper printer for printing a brochure in a 3D so that it may not ruin the quality of the brochure