An 3D model of a sphericon.

Creation edit

Manual edit

It is possible to design a 3D model from the ground up for 3D printing using standard 3D software.

3D Scanning edit

3D Scanning through techniques such as photogrammetry can be used to duplicate real world objects.[1]

Editing edit

Some models, such as those created by 3D scanning, require cleanup before they can be printed.[2]

3D models on a computer can represent things that are impossible to recreate in reality. Thus for a model to be 3D printable, it must represent an actual object, without errors in an object that would cause the interior of the model to not be watertight.[3]

File Formats edit

STL edit

 
A 3D Benchy model in .stl format.

.stl has become a defacto standard for many 3D printer slicer programs.[4][5]

3MF edit

3MF is an open source format that offers a number of improvements over .stl, such as being more error resistant and including color information.[6][7]

Related Wikibooks edit

References edit

  1. "Photogrammetry 2 - 3D Scanning simpler, better than ever!". Prusa Printers. 3 December 2018. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  2. Hoya, Billy. "LSC-North Harris Library Research Guides: Creating 3D Objects using Photogrammetry: Step 3: Viewing, Printing, and Editing". nhresearch.lonestar.edu. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  3. Charlesworth, Sean (19 March 2014). "Bits to Atoms: 3D Modeling Best Practices for 3D Printing". www.tested.com. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  4. Mellinger, Margaret. "LibGuides: 3D printing : 3D Printing Tips". guides.library.oregonstate.edu. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  5. "Art + Design - Tutorial - Preparing 3D Print Files for the Zortrax Printers". art.illinois.edu. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  6. "3MF File Format (3D Printing) – Simply Explained". All3DP. 8 October 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  7. "3MF file format and why it's great". Prusa Printers. 1 November 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2020.