PROS
- In depth, easy to follow introductions to 3D Printing
- Extensive overview of different varieties of 3D Printers
- Step by step instructions for creating a 3D Printer ready 3D Model
- Useful pictures illustrate the tools needed to create proper models
Overview
The topic of 3D Printing has always had me curious, but I never really knew where to start, and frankly, I was too lazy to look more into it. It always seemed very cool, and even useful in some instances. As it turns out, Blender is a perfect tool to help you create 3D models that can then be 3D printed.
And if Blender is the tool, this book is the manual that you need to get you through the process. It includes a great introduction breakdown of what 3D printing is exactly, the different types of printers, and even the types of materials that you can print with. It then goes on to instruct you how to make a 3D model that has everything you’ll need to be able to print it without any issues. It also goes over texturing, measuring, and fixing your model with easy to understand instructions.
The book, written by “Gordon Fisher”, is a great guide to understanding 3D printing with Blender. It does require that you already have prior knowledge of the interface of Blender, as well as how to model, but it also includes pre-made models to work with if you don’t want to model the objects yourself.
Prepping the Model
Once you’ve either modeled your object yourself, or downloaded a model from somewhere else, this book takes you through the steps of getting the model ready for 3D printing. It breaks down what the 3D printer needs to be able to properly print. As an example, you can only make an object so big or so small, as there are physical limitations on the printer. You also need to make sure edges on your model aren’t too thin, as they can collapse under the weight of the rest of the model.
It also introduces some tools in Blender that are designed specifically to aid in the creation of 3D printable models. Once the model is ready, the book talks you through the color process of 3D printing, including the limitations of printers, and how to UV unwrap your model and texture paint it. Additionally, it goes over common problems that 3D printers run into, and how to fix these before you send your model for printing.
Exporting the Model for Printing
Once the model is finished, fixed, and textured, the book explains in simple steps how to export your model properly to send for printing. It discusses the different file formats that are used, and which are better for different reasons. Once you have a file ready to print, you need to decide how or where you will have it printed. The book gives a few resources on where to find 3D printer services, and discusses a few in particular.
Other topics discussed include how pricing is calculated, and how to optimize your model to reduce cost when 3D printing.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I would fully recommend this book to anyone interested in getting started in 3D printing, but especially to anyone with Blender experience. Even if you have no 3D experience, I believe this book is a great resource to get you started. After reading it, I’m fully interested in printing some of my own models, and I am confident that I now have the knowledge to successfully 3D print my own models.
The entire subject of 3D printing is pretty technical, so it can take a while to really wrap your mind around everything, but this book breaks it down into simple enough steps that anyone with some 3D knowledge should be able to accomplish their goals of 3D printing.
The book is available through the publisher’s website below.
