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Re: Creator of Cute saying hello :) [message #30797 is a reply to message #30791 ] Wed, 13 July 2011 14:22 UTC

ana
Messages: 765
Registered: October 2008
Go to my shop

Senior Member
I work here

Hey Anna! Thanks for saying hi.

Which university was it that my coworkers visited you at?

One of the things I often recommend for people who are going from 3D design to 3D printing is to take a close look at the Shapeways design rules. A lot of the time, you have to think about structural integrity in a way that you haven't had to consider in the past. Some materials can handle different types of designs better than others, so if you check things out early on, you'll make a smoother ride for yourself down the line. Wink

Of course, our community is filled with people far more talented than I when it comes to many of these things. It's a wonderful bunch, don't hesitate to ask for help.

See you around!

Community Manager | Shapeways

Re: Creator of Cute saying hello :) [message #30805 is a reply to message #30791 ] Wed, 13 July 2011 15:30 UTC

aeron203
Messages: 419
Registered: July 2008
Go to my shop

Senior Member

Hello and welcome.

I've heard there is a thriving trade in models in Second Life, but it was their odd "prim" format that prevented me from looking further into it. It is very clever, it's just hard to unlearn the regular polygonal approach.

Your converted models should print just fine since they have very consistent, closed shapes. Hollowing them out to make them cheaper might be a challenge, but with small, color figurines you may want them solid anyway.

I look forward to seeing your results here, and I hope you share them with the Second Life community as well. I'm sure they would be delighted to learn how easily they can bring their Second Life stuff into real life!

Aaron - 40westdesigns.com/blog

Re: Creator of Cute saying hello :) [message #30819 is a reply to message #30797 ] Wed, 13 July 2011 20:47 UTC

AnnaMayaHouse
Messages: 6
Registered: February 2011
Go to all my models

Junior Member

ana wrote on Wed, 13 July 2011 14:22

Which university was it that my coworkers visited you at?

Sint-Lukas Brussels. I've since graduated Smile

aeron203 wrote on Wed, 13 July 2011 15:30

Your converted models should print just fine since they have very consistent, closed shapes. Hollowing them out to make them cheaper might be a challenge, but with small, color figurines you may want them solid anyway.

That's very reassuring to hear. I was mostly concerned that issues would arise from the fact that these models consist of several different loose parts. The one Maya printing tutorial I've read so far only explains the process for a single object (a hand). I'll just have to try it out I suppose and see what happens.

It's true that I'm mostly interested in printing small, full color figurines. I probably won't need to hollow out much for this purpose. (It might not be wise either, as I believe the full color sandstone is quite delicate?)

I've actually visited a Fab Lab in the Netherlands (as part of a school course as well), where I printed out a simple candle holder. (This wasn't a Second Life model though. I'd created it specifically to be printed.) Afterwards we reinforced the sandstone models with glue. It was quite amazing to see designs come to life like that!