My wife and son surprised me with a 3D printer for my Birthday. I always thought it would be fun to create different things for the hobby and now I can! However I have no clue how to create an object…like a figure to ride in my coaches… what is a good, user friendly software to create 3D objects? Do I need ac3D scanner? I think my technology learning curve has take a giant leap
I appreciate any thoughts
Richard
Richard, congratulations and happy birthday! No, you do not need a 3D scanner. What I would suggest is to try a free internet-based program called Tinkercad, which you can find at https://www.tinkercad.com. Play around with it and I think you’ll be able to get a good start. There are some more complex programs out there (some of which are also free, like SketchUp and Blender) but unless you have prior experience with CAD or graphics software Tinkercad is a good place to start. There are also 3D printing services out there – probably the most well-known one being Shapeways. Even though you have a 3D printer, it might be nice to compare what you print with that of a professional service.
There are lots of resources here on LSC. Dig in, play around and enjoy!
Greg
Gregory Hile said:
… try a free internet-based program called Tinkercad, which you can find at https://www.tinkercad.com. Play around with it and I think you’ll be able to get a good start. …
and while you learn, to use your new toy now…
go to http://www.yeggi.com
that is a searchmashine, to find printable 3D objects. it refers to objects on thinkercad, thingyverse and many others.
(you will have to register and log in into these other sites, to download files from there.)
for starters, i would recommend, that you go to yeggi, write “railway” or “railroad”, set search option to “free” … and be lost for the world during the next hours!
welcome to the club.
what make is your printer?
I like DesignSpark Mechanical and it is a free download.
Richard Mynderup said:
My wife and son surprised me with a 3D printer for my Birthday. …
You lucky cat!
Too cool. What kind did you get? I’ve been looking at them for some time now, but only because I want to push a button and have a part magically appear. I don’t think that they come to that stage yet…
Thanks everyone!! Yes, I was truly surprised by their generosity. And the fact my ten year old kept a secret is the most amazing part. The brand is Mod-t by New Matter. Looks pretty cool but supposedly easy to use which is right up my alley. There are some free things in their store I can download for free to learn. But I’ll also check the sites you’ve all recommended.
I’ll keep you up to date on my technology prowess!! (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
Richard
Tinkercad is what I use all the time, both for my home 3D printer – a DaVinci Jr. and the ones at the library – Makerbot Replicators. For figures, try thingiverse (their search engine is terrible though). You can scan yourself and print yourself too.
Write back if you have questions. I started using the 3D printers at the library about two years ago. Now I help others figure out how to do it!
Hi Dick,
Question…do you have a source/reference for learning how to make a 3D image from photographs? You mentioned scanning myself…just curious how you go about doing that.
Thanks,
Richard
Yeh, I surprised myself to celebrate September 17! Because, as many of YOU already know, in 1156 Emperor Frederick Barbarossa issued the ‘Privilegium Minus’ decree, which elevated Austria to a duchy. (Who knew?) But what better way to surprise oneself with a 3D printer? Especially since I had decided they were not quite ready for ME time. Anyway, I got a Qidi Tech Xone2. Whatever. Started playing with Autodesk Fusion 360 and here I am, a very happy camper.
It’s really cool to watch your design take shape in front of you. More square and accurate than I could EVER hope to be.
Congrats! Very cool!
Jan showed this to me. As she said, very cool!
.
.
Okay, yeah I was logged in under the wrong name. She really doesn’t care if you have a new 3D printer. As long as I don’t want one.
LOL Ric…just for that I think a 3D printer should be on your Christmas list this year!!
Richard,
Wow, you must be livin’ right!
Here’s some additional conversation on the subject,
https://www.largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/27510/3d-software
I would love a 3D printer, so many things I want to do perhaps it’s a good thing I don’t have one LOL.
It’s a commitment, no doubt. But it’s not quite on the magnitude of, say, getting married; close, yes, but a little less than that. You should go for it Vic.
(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)
Way to go Richard. For me, https://www.thingiverse.com/ has been where I go for other people’s designs that they don’t mind sharing.
As to getting a 3d scan from photographs, I’ve heard that Autodesk’s 123D Catch might work out. I tested it real quickly once and it sort of worked. I didn’t and still don’t have time to play with it. I think you’d also need something like Meshmixer to fix up any items that 123D catch didn’t fill in. There are some YouTube videos on how to create a 3d item from photos. Start there.
I’ve used their 123D Design to design items and I’ve used tinkercad to design an item. You might want to start simple (Tinkercard) and then as you want to do more detailed/complicated things, then look into Fusion 360. Just expect a learning curve for whatever you do decide to to with.
The fun thing with the 3D printing, is that you’ll learn a lot (and learn what you didn’t know you needed to learn (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-innocent.gif)).
I’ve been using a Flux Delta 3d printer for about 1.5 years now. I’ve put a Creality CR-10 on my wish list (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif). Here’s hoping my family will be generous to me (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif).
You will learn that not all printers can print the same type of material. For example, the Flux Delta that I have can only do PLA filament. Not good for the outdoors (though I have printed some items I’ve printed and made sure I’ve put at least 2-3 coats of paint on them…so far they have held up outdoors). The CR-10 can do ABS filament, but I’ll have to look into an enclosure for it if I get it. ABS needs to have heat and a controlled environment along with a heated bed will improve the prints - at least that is what I’ve read so far. Some claim that they don’t need an enclosure…I’m still looking into that.
Cliff Jennings said:
Richard,
Wow, you must be livin’ right!
Here’s some additional conversation on the subject,
https://www.largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/27510/3d-software
Any suggestions on the Printers?
How complicated are the Kit Builds? The one I’d like charges $300 to send it assembled … hmmm 30 hours @ $10 /hr or 3 hours at 100 per? I’m still harboring the idea of casting parts in bronze/brass.
The Prussa kit that Dave built, lays down a thinner step for a smoother profile, than of course the less expensive ones.
If all y’all think I can do it, I might be able to ‘guilt’ my sister into half the cost … heck they are taking their whole fam dambly to Peru for Christmas, leaving poor old Unca John home alone again … (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cry.gif)but Sis; building it will help me with your absence (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-undecided.gif)nudge nudge …(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
John Caughey said:
Cliff Jennings said:
Richard,
Wow, you must be livin’ right!
Here’s some additional conversation on the subject,
https://www.largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/27510/3d-software
Any suggestions on the Printers?
How complicated are the Kit Builds? The one I’d like charges $300 to send it assembled … hmmm 30 hours @ $10 /hr or 3 hours at 100 per? I’m still harboring the idea of casting parts in bronze/brass.
The Prussa kit that Dave built, lays down a thinner step for a smoother profile, than of course the less expensive ones.
If all y’all think I can do it, I might be able to ‘guilt’ my sister into half the cost … heck they are taking their whole fam dambly to Peru for Christmas, leaving poor old Unca John home alone again … (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cry.gif)but Sis; building it will help me with your absence (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-undecided.gif)nudge nudge …(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
John,
I am hardly qualified to offer an opinion as I only have experience with one printer: I got the Qidi Tech Xone2 back in September ($399 from Amazon) and have been more than pleased with it. I did have a problem with a clogged extruder that I emailed tech support about - they got back to be with a nice video showing how to clear the clog as well as links to an updated manual and updated slicer software. I have started using Autodesk Fusion 360 as my design program and find it works very well. I didn’t want a kit, as I wanted to just use it…YMMV.
John Caughey said:
Cliff Jennings said:
Richard,
Wow, you must be livin’ right!
Here’s some additional conversation on the subject,
https://www.largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/27510/3d-software
Any suggestions on the Printers?
How complicated are the Kit Builds? The one I’d like charges $300 to send it assembled … hmmm 30 hours @ $10 /hr or 3 hours at 100 per? I’m still harboring the idea of casting parts in bronze/brass.
The Prussa kit that Dave built, lays down a thinner step for a smoother profile, than of course the less expensive ones.
If all y’all think I can do it, I might be able to ‘guilt’ my sister into half the cost … heck they are taking their whole fam dambly to Peru for Christmas, leaving poor old Unca John home alone again … (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cry.gif)but Sis; building it will help me with your absence (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-undecided.gif)nudge nudge …(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
Gee, that could be a good thing, or a bad thing. You do have smoke detectors?
