60 Hack a 3D Print

SUSAN BARNUM / PUBLIC SERVICES LIBRARIAN @ TEEN TOWN

El Paso Public Library System

Type of Library Best Suited for: Any

Cost Estimate: Free to minimal

Makerspace Necessary? No, but desirable

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This project will teach participants how to create unique 3D graphics and objects by using existing models and free software.

OVERVIEW

Beginning with 3D modeling is a steep learning curve—and becoming good at it takes both artistic and programming skills. As a librarian, you want to get kids excited right away so that they can enjoy an immediate payoff. This project will help kids to make and use 3D graphics and objects right away. There’s no need for everyone to be an artist to make good and often useful 3D objects. This project can also help grab the imagination of budding 3D artists and propel them into a career they never knew existed.

This project uses ready-made 3D objects that others have created and remixes them into something new.

The 3D print hack is a shortcut to unique object creation. It allows participants to have fun, play around with 3D modeling tools, and make something unique. The project uses online software so there is no need to install any programs on your computers, but if you are at a school or library that already has programs like Maya or Blender for 3D modeling, you may want to expand this project to incorporate those as you see fit. You can also do this project even if you don’t have your own 3D printer. You can have the kids create the objects, save them to a disk, and then print them out at a local university or makerspace. Alternatively, you can also order prints from a service (at a cost) online.

MATERIALS LIST

◦ Access to the free websites Thingiverse (https://www.thingiverse.com) and Tinkercad (https://www.tinkercad.com). For participants who are under thirteen, it is suggested that the library set up accounts for Tinkercad ahead of time.

NECESSARY EQUIPMENT

◦ Computers with Internet connection and modern browsers such as Google Chrome or Firefox
◦ 3D printer (optional, but awesome to have)

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

1. Navigate to Thingiverse where there is a huge, searchable repository of open-sourced 3D objects archived. These objects are licensed under various Creative Commons licenses. At the top of the page is a search bar. Have participants find at least two objects that interest them and which they can combine together. They will have to download the files, which should be in .STL format. Often, when you download files from Thingiverse, they will come bundled together in a .ZIP file. This gives you a chance to teach participants how to extract files from an archive. I’ve chosen the Utah Teapot and Dragon which are in the public domain.
2. Once the files are downloaded and unzipped (if needed), go to Tinkercad and log into, or create, your account. Choose “Create new design.” When the Workplane loads, navigate to the right and choose “Import.” You will have to import your files one at a time. When you import the files, if they are not loading properly, or not showing up at all, try changing the scale of the model. That often fixes the problem when the model is too small to show up on the Workplane. If the file is too big to fit on the Workplane, adjust the percentage. Rarely, however, a file will be too complex to load, and in these cases a student will have to choose another file.

3. Next, participants will resize their files in order to combine them as they see fit. In my simple example, I’m making a flying teapot! In order to accomplish this, I’m going to have to decide which parts of the models to keep, which parts to resize, and which parts to discard. Once your participants have made these kinds of decisions for their creation, have them get started with resizing.
4. For the flying teapot, I’m going to make the teapot a little larger and the dragon a little smaller. In Tinkercad, this is accomplished by selecting the model with a left mouse-click and dragging the mouse on the X, Y, or Z axis. If you hold down the SHIFT key while resizing, it will resize uniformly across each axis.
5. In removing part of a model, you will use the geometric tools that Tinkercad provides. Find a geometric shape that matches the shape of the area you wish to “erase.” Drag the shape to the Workplane and resize and move it until it completely covers only the area you want to “erase.” Once it’s where you want it, change the shape to a hole in the “Inspector” area. Then choose both the shape and the 3D model, holding down the SHIFT key to select both and “group” them together. Once they are grouped, it will appear as if you erased the parts you didn’t want. Repeat this process as necessary.
6. If participants want to duplicate part of an object, such as adding four wings to my teapot instead of two, you can copy and paste objects within Tinkercad.

7. If you ever find you are having problems erasing everything in Tinkercad, it may be because you are not viewing the file from enough different angles. Always move around your Workplane and view from the top, front, and both sides. You can easily move the Workplane around by holding down the right mouse button and dragging the mouse.

8. When you group objects, sometimes you’ll group the wrong ones together. Don’t worry. You can undo your mistakes easily.

9. Once you have the parts that you want to combine together, move them into place, resize again if need be, and group the shapes together. For this example, I am just grouping the wings with the teapot.
10. The file is ready to download for 3D printing! Navigate to the left side of the screen and click the tab marked “Design.” Choose “Download for 3D Printing” from the menu. Most printers use the .STL extension.
11. Once the file is downloaded and you want to print the file, follow the directions for your brand of 3D printer. If your library doesn’t have a 3D printer, you can encourage your participants to save the file to print out at a local makerspace or university. If the library wants to pay for prints, you can order the prints online through 3D printing services.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Participants will . . .

◦ Gain a basic understanding of Creative Commons media and why it is important to respect and understand copyright issues.
◦ Learn how to download and use different file types and how to unzip an archived file.
◦ Recognize different common media file types and how to use them.
◦ Understand and be able to navigate a simple 3D workspace.
◦ Understand the X, Y, and Z axis used in 3D workspaces.
◦ Understand the basic concepts of scaling and transforming 3D objects.

RECOMMENDED NEXT PROJECTS

As a next project, you might also check out my project “Turn 2D Graphics into 3D Prints” found in this section (see the next chapter).