Blender 3D Printing by Example

Description

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! 1: Thinking about Design Requirements Thinking about printing processes Thinking about size Summary 2: Using a Background Image and Bezier Curves Getting started Adding a background image Tracing with Bezier curves Summary 3: Converting a Bezier Curve to a Properly Sized 3D Mesh Converting a Bezier curve into a mesh Selecting vertices and making a new face Extruding to make 3D objects Scaling and sizing the mesh Summary 4: Flattening a Torus and Boolean Union Creating and laying out a torus Rotating the torus (for Service Bureau) Giving the torus a flat bottom (for home) Combining objects together with Boolean Union Exporting your work for 3D printing Summary 5: Building a Base with Standard Meshes and a Mirror Working with a cube and cylinder Using Object Origins to line up objects Making the base whole Summary 6: Cutting Half Circle Holes and Modifier Management Duplicating and sizing a cylinder Placing the hole and preserving wall thicknesses Mesh modeling to make a half cylinder Making a hole with Boolean difference Changing your object with modifier order Summary 7: Customizing with Text Adding a new text object Changing font settings Converting the text to a 3D mesh Finalizing the bracelet Summary 8: Using Empties to Model the Base of the House Using Empties for reference images Modeling the base of the house Summary 9: Mesh Modeling and Positioning the Details Modeling windows Renaming and copying windows Perfecting the positioning with Snap Summary 10: Making Textures with the Array Modifier and Scalable Vector Graphics Making brickwork with the Array Modifier Importing a Scalable Vector Graphics file for stonework Summary 11: Applying Textures with Boolean Intersection Making template shapes Taking an intersection Finalizing and exporting the house Summary 12: Making Organic Shapes with the Subdivision Surface Modifier Thinking about overhangs and flat bases Making a low-poly hand Adding a Subdivision Surface Modifier Summary 13: Trial and Error – Topology Edits Preparing yourself mentally Adding extra edge loops Moving vertices and edge loops Modeling fingernails and wrinkles Summary 14: Coloring Models with Materials and UV Maps Using materials Coloring with UV Maps Exporting and uploading X3D files Summary 15: Troubleshooting and Repairing Models Removing duplicate vertices Flipping face normals Finding and fixing non-manifold edges Repairing models with 3D Builder Summary