#123design

In our general 3D Printing & Modeling class for ages 12 and up, students are taught how to used 3D CAD software, like TinkerCAD and 123Design. TinkerCAD is a simple web based platform for 3D modeling right in the browser window. With kids being the main target audience, simple 3D shapes and letters can be placed on the grid plane, easily grouped together to make more complex objects, and also manipulated to make custom shapes. After students get the hang of TinkerCAD, students are introduced to 123Design, an Autodesk application free for download. Like TinkerCAD, pre-made shapes are provided but 123Design offers more advanced tools, giving students more flexibility and versatility to form their ideas.

The most exciting part about this class, is observing a desktop 3D printer in action, bringing a 3D model to life layer by layer. The students learn how to export their models to a file type that the 3D printers can read, which is a stereolithography file (STL). Once they prep the printers by leveling the build plate and selecting the correct file, it’s time to print!

Our students have made some amazing models – from PokemonGO themed Xbox controller cases to stunning architectural replicas of ancient structures to video game themed jewelry! Check out some of the models below:

  We are now enrolling for 3D Printing classes at The DAE either After School or on the weekends! Learn more about our programs at www.TheDAE.com.

3D Printing Programs for Kids at The DAE

With our 3D printing class gaining in popularity, and our addition of 2 more 3D printers, students are coming up with new and creative designs to bring into the physical world here at The Digital Arts Experience.

In our general 3D Printing & Modeling class for ages 12 and up, students are taught how to used 3D CAD software, like TinkerCAD and 123Design. TinkerCAD is a simple web based platform for 3D modeling right in the browser window. With kids being the main target audience, simple 3D shapes and letters can be placed on the grid plane, easily grouped together to make more complex objects, and also manipulated to make custom shapes. After students get the hang of TinkerCAD, students are introduced to 123Design, an Autodesk application free for download. Like TinkerCAD, pre-made shapes are provided but 123Design offers more advanced tools, giving students more flexibility and versatility to form their ideas.

The most exciting part about this class, is observing a desktop 3D printer in action, bringing a 3D model to life layer by layer. The students learn how to export their models to a file type that the 3D printers can read, which is a stereolithography file (STL). Once they prep the printers by leveling the build plate and selecting the correct file, it’s time to print!

Our students have made some amazing models – from PokemonGO themed Xbox controller cases to stunning architectural replicas of ancient structures to video game themed jewelry! Check out some of the models below:

  We are now enrolling for 3D Printing classes at The DAE either After School or on the weekends! Learn more about our programs at www.TheDAE.com.

An apparently common project for newbies to 3-D printing is a hollow D6, which is understandable -- it looks cool, it doesn't take much time, and it's a cube so it's easy to render. (It's not actually easy to print on a cheap 3-D printer, but that's a whole separate discussion.)

I thought about trying my hand at a hollow D6 for a while and then said LET'S RUIN EVERY EASY ASPECT OF THAT SHALL WE.

Thus was born Project SquiD6. 

I decided I was going to make a D6, but instead of having holes, it would have tentacles emerging from it, and a cephalopodesque head emerging from where the six-point face should be. 

As you can see, I dicked up the proportions of the faces a little, and gluing this thing together was seriously so annoying, but I learned a lot about drafting organic shapes digitally and working in actual proportions instead of ratios. I would have fucked it up less if I had bought a D6 to glue the faces onto, which I think I will do next time.