I obviously love wearing jewelry (and 3D printed crowns, naturally) from our marketplace, but I want to start making my own!
Being surrounded by brilliant people at Shapeways every day — and seeing the incredible designs available in our marketplace — it’s impossible not to catch the design bug. That being said, I fall into the segment of the population that’s super excited about 3D printing, but simultaneously intimidated by the world of 3D modeling. Since we’re starting a new year (and there’s no way I’d ever resolve to eat less), I’ve added 3D modeling to my list of “wanna learn” resolutions.
Like most people, I’ve always been better at sticking with things when I’m publicaly held accountable. So, Out of Shape will be the column where I document the joys and struggles of my 3D design journey. This is the place where I get to share my weird, wonderful attempts to learn the world of 3D modeling while also trying to inspire others who find themselves in my shoes to do the same (but only after they give me back my shoes).
I’ll be using the tools and tutorials available on Shapeways so that I can attempt this self-taught thing as much as possible. But, if I really, really, reaaaally need help, I’ll tap my colleagues, Community Manager Andrew and Design Evangelist Lauren Slowik. My hunch is that once I get started, it’ll be a pretty manageable effort. The problem is that I’m definitely overthinking where to start. I’m overwhelmed by the possibilities: Do I want to create a cute little figurine for my desk? Should it be a series of personified feelings? Is hungry a feeling? Or maybe, do I want to design a jewelry line? Deep breath. Okay.
I’m going to start by just opening up some free applications like Tinkercad, Meshmixer, and 123D Catch, and start futzing around, getting familiar with the tools, and drawing some basic shapes. That being said, I’m gonna make sure these are the most awesome shapes ever.
Is this post a bit of an excuse to delay diving in? Yep! But it worked, didn’t it? So… anyone have any advice for a newbie venturing into the world of 3D printing? Or any tips on whistling with fingers? I need all the help I can get!
Hi Lise! It’s great to see that more people are interested in 3D printing and modeling!
I’ve been using CAD programs for a little while now, and I’d like to share two things I’ve learned with you.
First, start small and simple. When I started learning how to use a CAD program (Autodesk Inventor in my case), I was really intimidated by all of the fancy designs some other users were coming up with. But my teacher taught me to start out small and simple with basic shapes. I first modeled rectangular blocks, then cylinders, then spheres, you get the idea. This allows you to become familiar with some of the common tools, such as extrudes, revolves, lofts, etc. These small and simple tools will eventually build up into complex shapes and features.
Second (and this is probably the more important suggestion I can provide you with), give yourself enough time each day to practice. If you can, try to spend 2 hours practicing on the CAD/3D program of your choice. The only way to get good at anything is to give it enough time!
I’ve said all that I can. Now, get out there and have a fun time! And if you ever have questions, ask away! We’re all here to help you!
-Emory M.
Thanks for the tips Emory! You’re completely right about needing to start with the basics. I have a habit of wanting to run before I can walk which always results in hurt pride (and knees!). I’ve been playing around with Tinkercad but definitely need to dedicate *way* more time to doing so.
Excited to have a bunch of pros willing to help me on this journey!
Story time – I learned how to whistle with my fingers when my big bro posted me as a lookout to warn him and friends when parents were coming. I was about 10 at the time, he told me to whistle like he did with his fingers when ‘danger’ approached. I protested, “But I don’t know how”, and he simply said, “Figure it out!”
Within the hour, I had blown enough wind to sail a ship, but I had learned the right placement of tongue and fingers to annoy everyone within a quarter-mile…which I did for the rest of the day. 😛 Hey, I wanted to make sure I didn’t forget the technique!
Trial by fire! Sounds like a great way to have learned!
I really want to learn how to whistle so that I can hail cabs like an old-school New Yorker 😀
Hi Lise! I started almost the same way and I am still a bit intimidated by the awesome designs here on Shapeways but that’s ok, it’s how you push yourself to be better!
I started with Photoshop and Illustrator. I had some idea on calligraphy that I wanted to turn into jewelry. I originally uploaded the design into Shapeways as a JPEG but the size wasn’t what I wanted so I used the 3d functionality in Photoshop to extrude and transferred into the free version of Netfabb. Long story short, I eventually went onto tinkercad and now on fusion 360. I am very glad that I was on tinkercad because it teaches you to think about your designs in simple shapes :). The one thing that really helped me is watching all the tutorials on YouTube. But don’t limit yourself on just the ones on your software, watch ones from other softwares too, you’ll pick up tricks you didn’t think you would.
Can’t wait to see what you will come up with!
Hi Evelyn!
This makes me feel SO good to hear, I need to keep reminding myself it’s okay for early designs to be “ugly” or as it’s turning out in my case, “creepy” and “terrifying” (seriously, you’ll see screenshots in the next post).
Such good advice, I’ll definitely start watching some YouTube videos!! I basically learned how to do the perfect smokey eye using them, so here’s hoping they’re as successful for my 3D modeling 🙂 Thanks again for the advice, it really means a lot!
Fusion360 has a great mix of engineering and surface tools to make nice things nice.
Thanks for the pointer, I’ll definitely check it out! I haven’t used Fusion360 yet… maybe that’s why I can’t have nice things! 😀
I started learning to 3D model using the free version of Sketchup. It is a very easy program to use and learn. Now I am attempting to learn Blender, which is a lot more complex. The tutorials for Sketchup are great. I agree with Evelyn that YouTube has some great videos out there.
Adding Sketchup to my list! It looks like a very techy version of building houses in The Sims!
Because getting good is (a) training your brain to think with CAD, and (b) learning the CAD commands inside & out, note that a lot depends on the software you choose to work with. 95% of my work is with SolidWorks, which I have been using daily for about 7 years now (I create models & shop drawings for local fabricators). Getting good at solid modeling was FUN because the way I think works well with the underlying logic of this software package. Now the interesting thing is this: I’m a SolidWorks maniac but Rhino freaks me out! I don’t understand the command structure, nor the underlying logic of how things are created, and I don’t really enjoy using it. Obviously I could learn to be good at it (and maybe learn to love it) but my point is that I was only able to truly expand my abilities with a software package that meshed well with the way I like to think and create. Bottom line: try a bunch of packages (and do tutorials) and see what you have the most fun with.
Hi Marshall, you’re completely right with this! So far Tinkercad has been challenging for me but Sculptris has been so much fun to play with– probably because it jives with the way my mind works! I’ve mostly been finding it challenging for my brain to start thinking about the model on my screen as being 3 dimensional vs. 2 dimensional– it’s a big adjustment!
HI Lise, welcome to the world of makers. I dove head first into Blender last year (lots of rocks in the bottom of that pool, by the way). FreeCAD was just too much for my antique computers, Meshmixer, Fusion360 and 123D Catch are just too “attached” to big business for my tastes, and I found TinkerCAD too simple for what I like to do, and everything else I looked at is either way out of my budget or unsuited to my purposes. So, Blender it was (I had more in mind than 3D printing, however). Blender’s learning curve is nearly vertical, but has been worth it. I’m still struggling with UV mapping, but you don’t need that for printing. Well, not yet anyway. I imagine it will become more important as multi-color, multi-material printers become common.
My advice, read software reviews, browse topic specific forums, try a few programs out. Find the one that fits what you want to do and your style of working, then focus on it and practice, practice, practice. I’ve been watching every video I can find, not just at Youtube, there’s a lot at Vimeo and Daily Motion. I’ve also spent a lot of time looking at websites and artist communities like Deviant Art and asking questions. You’re going to find out that there is always more to learn.
Good luck, and have fun. I’m looking forward to seeing what you create.
Thanks John! Trying out these various programs makes me feel a bit like Goldilocks– “this program is too complicated/simple/hard to use/etc”– I’m sticking with it until I find the one that fits me best!
As a former Neopets player in middle school, I used to be a huge Deviant Art creeper. Looking forward to checking out the work on there again!
Hi Lise!
I’ve been using 3D modelling software since the first demo programs came out on MacFormat cover CDs, so I’ve seen a lot of different software, with a lot of different approaches. The core concepts are generally pretty standard though. These days I use Blender, because it’s free! =D It’s also very quirky, and a bit buggy in places, but very capable once you get used to it, so for the price I can’t complain. http://www.blendtuts.com has some excellent tutorials to get you going with it, though as Blender is designed for modelling, rendering and animation, it may be a bit of an overwhelming place to start. I swear by it though personally =)
On a more general level, the best advice I can give is to have a solid goal in mind whenever you fire your chosen software up. Be clear about what you want to design. I tried learning in the past by just messing about, and I achieved very little. But once I decided that I wanted to make that robot, I was able to focus on certain parts and work out how best to make them. Tutorials helped, and results followed =)
Have fun, and good luck! =D
Hey Matt, sounds like you’re a veteran at the 3D modeling! I’m honored to get your advice, thank you! I’m trying to nail down exactly what I want to design– it’s true that it’s too overwhelming not having an exact goal in mind. Hoping to be struck by very specific inspiration soon! 🙂
Hi Lise,
Nice post!! If you have an iPad or Mac, you may also want to check out Morphi. It’s a simple, powerful 3D design tool for all. http://www.morphiapp.com/ You can get a sense of how people are using it by checking out the @morphiapp instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/morphiapp/
You can reach out to us at any time for help at hello@morphiapp.com
All best,
Team Morphi
Thanks Morphi team, I’ll check you guys out! Looks like a super cool program.