3-D+Printing

=__**3-D Printing**__=

=How is 3D Design Different From 2D= This may sound obvious but the most significant difference is the addition of the 3rd dimension. When you draw on a piece of paper, you are working in a 2D space. That is, you can move your pen left and right, and you can move your pen forward and backward on the paper. Typically, we say that "left and right" movements are along the "X" axis. Forward and backward movements are along the "Y" axis. This should be familiar to you if you have taken algebra classes. When you design in 3D, we had a third dimension. This dimension would be if you lifted your pen up and down off the surface of the paper. We call this vertical lift, the "Z" axis.

=Rotate The Workspace= When you are working in a 3D world, it's important to rotate your view often to make sure that things are where you think they should be. Because our screens are only 2D, you have to rotate the workspace in your 3D Design tool to make sure that all the surfaces are lining up. For instance, in the workspace below, it appears as though the red cube and blue cube are perfectly lined up. If I rotate the workspace, I can see that the blue cube is raised slightly on the Z axis and the bottoms do not line up. This is a very simple example but the more complex the design, the more likely that issues will arise from not rotating the view.

=Bottom Up Design= =Overhang Issues= This video demonstrates what happens when you print an object with too much overhang and gravity takes over. Here is what the design looks like on the screen:
 * //How is designing for 3D Printing different from designing for 3D gaming?//**A lot of the same tools that are used for designing objects 3D games, can also be used for designing objects for 3D printing but there are some things you need to consider before you bring one of these designs to life on a 3D printer.**Bottom Up** In 3D game design, gravity can be turned off while an object is placed in the game world and then held in a certain spot. In Minecraft, you could create a floating platform because gravity is turned off for those blocks. [[image:http://dhf-website.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Minecraft-floating-platform-600px1.jpg width="500"]]A 3D printer, on the other hand, can not turn off gravity. It starts by printing the bottom of the object and then slowly adds layers on top of the bottom layer to build up your object. A structure like the one in the Minecraft image above would not be possible unless we lowered it to the platform. The image above is an obvious (and un-useful) example but let us take a look at some other examples that may be less obvious and more likely to be 3D printed.This creature would be very difficult to print because the overhang on the green wings would not have any supports.

Additional Information:
 * Created by [|Shawn Grimes], last modified by [|Stephanie Grimes] on [|May 16, 2015]**

|| $599 assembled / $539 as kit || 150mm x 150mm x 150mm ||= No (Heated bed upgrade currently being tested) ||= Yes ||= 1.75mm || * Works right out of the box. || $999 - $1,299 assembled || 250mm x 250mm x 250mm ||= Yes ||= Yes ||= 1.75mm || * I have the original version of this (there are currently three new versions as of June 2014) || $1,299 assembled || 127mm x 127mm x 127mm ||= Yes ||= Yes ||= 1.75mm || * Fantastic quality prints right out of the box! || $1,999 assembled || 285mm x 153mm x 155mm ||= No ||= No ||= 1.75mm || * When it works, it prints very well. || $2,194.95 assembled || 298mm x 275mm x 250mm ||= Yes ||= No ||= 3mm || * This thing prints huge!
 * ~ Printer ||~ Price ||~ Max Print Dimensions ||~ Heated Bed? ||~ AutoLevel Probe? ||~ Filament Size ||~ Experiential Notes ||~  ||
 * [|Printrbot Simple Maker's Kit] || $349.00 kit only || 100mmx100mmx100mm ||= No ||= Yes ||= 1.75mm || * Good starter unit for someone comfortable with a screwdriver and a little patience. Not terribly difficult to assemble, follow the directions and be patient.
 * Lots of opportunity for expansion and upgrades.
 * Great for learning how a 3D printer works and learning how to do your own repairs.
 * Software can be a pain but use [|MatterControl] for an easy fix. ||  ||
 * [|Printrbot Simple Metal Edition]
 * This is my go-to printer for reliable prints.
 * Very reliable. I have the least problems using this printer. I can printer all day long.
 * Not a whole lot of "supported" options for expansion and upgrades but that doesn't have to stop you.
 * This machine is great looking and is not very intimidating.
 * Software can be a pain but use [|MatterControl] for an easy fix. || *Recommended for price and reliability ||
 * [|Printrbot Plus]
 * The old version took a lot of calibrating and tinkering.
 * New version seems more reliable.
 * PLA and ABS filaments supported.
 * Dual extruder option (for advanced users only)
 * Large print bed! 10"x10"
 * Software can be a pain but use [|MatterControl] for an easy fix. ||  ||
 * [|Afinia]
 * PLA and ABS
 * Software is VERY easy to use.
 * Print area is not very large (the Printrbot Simple has a larger print area). || *Recommended for quality ||
 * Makerbot Replicator 2
 * Not very reliable.
 * The print bed tends to warp and is very hard to get leveled just right.
 * We had to replace our print bed twice in less than a year.
 * Very big print area (11" x 6") but because of the bed warping, only certain areas of the plate are usable significantly reducing the area to more like 7"x6"
 * Software is very easy to use.
 * PLA only
 * We paid a lot of money for this printer and it is the one I am most unhappy with.
 * I have seen the new versions at a few different events and they do not seem anymore reliable than this version, most of them only print for 90 minutes or less and then they spend the rest of the day trying to get it working again. ||  ||
 * [|LulzBot Taz 4]
 * This is my go-to printer for big prints.
 * The only thing I wish it had was an auto-level probe but surprisingly, once we got it leveled, it hasn't needed any adjustments in 3 months.
 * Prints flexible filaments amazingly well!
 * Software can be a pain but use [|MatterControl] for an easy fix. || *Recommended for size and reliability ||


 * Other printers I want to try but haven't had a chance to yet (if you work for these companies, I'd love to try one out in our youth maker space):
 * [|__Ultimaker__]
 * [|__Orion Delta 3D Printer__]
 * [|__Airwolf 3D Printer__]

[|Design Software Comparison]

[|Skip to end of metadata] [|Go to start of metadata] [|123D Design] || Free || Mac, PC || * Powerful [|OpenS][|CAD] || Free || Mac, Linux, PC || * Programming like interface for 3D design [|Cookie Caster] || Free || Web || * Super easy [|SketchUp] || Free || Mac, PC || * A lot of community support || * Not the best for actually 3D printing. [|Minecraft] || Free || Mac, PC || * Most familiar interface for youth || * Limited design capabilities ||= 4 ||= 2 ||  || [|T][|inkerplay] || Free || iPad || * Fun to use || * Limited functionality ||= 1 ||= 2 ||  || [|123D Sculpt] || Free || iPad || Haven't used yet to give feedback. || Haven't used yet to give feedback. || Haven't used yet to give feedback. || Haven't used yet to give feedback.1 ||  || [|Blokify] || Free || iPhone,iPad || * Like Minecraft || * It's a bit clunky to use ||= 4 ||= 2 ||  || [|SculptGL] || Free || Web || Haven't used yet to give feedback. || Haven't used yet to give feedback. || Haven't used yet to give feedback. || Haven't used yet to give feedback. ||  || [] and [] || [|Cubify Draw by 3D Systems] || Free || iPhone, iPad || Draw a 2D image and convert it to 3D ||  ||= 1 ||= 2 ||   ||
 * [[image:http://know.digitalharbor.org/download/resources/com.atlassian.confluence.plugins.confluence-page-banner:page-banner-resources/images/red_padlock.png width="16" height="16" link="http://know.digitalharbor.org/display/DHF3DforED/Design+Software+Comparison#"]]
 * Created by [|Shawn Grimes], last modified on [|Jul 07, 2015]
 * ~ Name ||~ Price ||~ Platform ||~ Pros ||~ Cons ||~ Ease of Use 1 = Super easy, 10 = You need to be a rocket scientist ||~ Capabilities 1 = Super Simple, 10 = Build a rocket and fly to the moon ||~  ||
 * [[image:http://s3.amazonaws.com/StemCore/3dprinting/images/Tinkercad-Title.jpg width="100" link="http://www.tinkercad.com/"]][| Tinkercad] || Free! (there is some old advertising on their site about pro accounts, it's all free and not limited as of June 2014) || Web || * Balances ease of use and power very well
 * Combine simple shapes to create more complex objects
 * Great tutorials and lessons
 * Web based
 * Great for customizing/remixing other designs || * Not the best tool for designing product enclosures ||= 3 ||= 5 || Recommended as a great place to start ||
 * [[image:http://s3.amazonaws.com/StemCore/3dprinting/images/123DDesign-Title.jpg width="100"]]
 * A tad more difficult to learn than Tinkercad but the next step in evolution of 3D design
 * A little buggy || * Sometimes buggy but is getting better with every release
 * Web version no longer available, download only ||= 5 ||= 6 ||  ||
 * [[image:http://s3.amazonaws.com/StemCore/3dprinting/images/OpenSCAD-Title.jpg width="100"]]
 * Great tool for creating objects that need to be customized for different uses || * Not very friendly to fans of using a mouse for everything ||= 4 ||= 5 ||  ||
 * [[image:http://s3.amazonaws.com/StemCore/3dprinting/images/CookieCaster-Title.jpg width="100"]]
 * Great introduction to 3D printing for anyone || * One trick pony
 * Gets overwhelmed quickly if everyone in a classroom uses it at once ||= 1 ||= 1 || Recommended for younger audiences ||
 * [[image:http://s3.amazonaws.com/StemCore/3dprinting/images/Sketchup-Title.jpg width="100"]]
 * Most designs will need to be repaired before they can be printed ||= 5 ||= 6 ||  ||
 * [[image:http://s3.amazonaws.com/StemCore/3dprinting/images/MineCraft-Title.jpg width="100"]]
 * [|Blender] || Free || Mac, PC, Linux || * Very powerful || * Very difficult to use
 * Not a very intuitive interface ||= 7 ||= 6 ||  ||
 * [|Rhino3D] || $995 || Windows (Mac version in Beta) || Haven't used yet to give feedback. || Haven't used yet to give feedback. || Haven't used yet to give feedback. || Haven't used yet to give feedback. ||  ||
 * [|Autodesk Inventor] || Free for students || Windows (Mac version in App store is not full featured) || Haven't used yet to give feedback. || Haven't used yet to give feedback. || Haven't used yet to give feedback. || Haven't used yet to give feedback. ||  ||
 * [[image:http://s3.amazonaws.com/StemCore/3dprinting/images/modio-title.jpg width="100"]]
 * [[image:http://s3.amazonaws.com/StemCore/3dprinting/images/123DSculpt-Title.jpg width="100"]]
 * [[image:http://s3.amazonaws.com/StemCore/3dprinting/images/blokify.jpg width="100"]]
 * [[image:http://s3.amazonaws.com/StemCore/3dprinting/images/SculptGL.jpg width="100"]]
 * [|DoodleFab] || Free || Web || Converts a 2D image (captured by your webcam or uploaded) into an SVG that can be imported into TinkerCad or similar 3D design software ||  ||= 1 ||= 1 || Based off of:
 * [[image:http://dhf-website.s3.amazonaws.com/images/cubify-draw.png]]
 * [|MakerBot PrintShop] || Free (in-app purchases) || iPad || Lots of useful utilities for creating 2D->3D, medals, and more. ||  || 1 || 3 ||   ||

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