Slides for an overview of four modeling programs - Tinkercad, OpenSCAD, Blender, and SculptGL

1. 3D Modeling Tour
Vicky Somma
vicky@tgaw.com
This slideshow is available at:
https://www.slideshare.net/VickyTGAW/3d-modeling-tour

2. 3D Printing Requires a 3D Model
3D Model -> Slicer -> Print

3. Thinking About Design Requirements
● Sizing
○ What do you want to make? Any size considerations?
○ How big is the printer? Do you need to split it into smaller parts?
○ Best if you are thinking in millimeters

4. Thinking About Design Requirements
● Positioning
○ Flat base is ideal
○ Minimize supports with overhangs <45 degrees
○ Consider adding additional details to help
https://pinshape.com/blog/dotm-fantasy-graph-3d-printer-support-structures/

5. Thinking About Design Requirements
● Detail Sizing
Make sure your details will be picked up by the printer.
○ Vertical Detailing - Limited by your Layer Height
○ Horizontal Detailing - Limited by Line Width (close to the Nozzle Size)

6. 3D Modeling - Lots of Options
Today, we’ll overview just four free options:

7. TinkerCAD
● Free
● Online, Nothing to Install
● “The Easiest Fiercest 3D
Design Tool Around”
http://www.tinkercad.com

8. OpenSCAD
● Free 3D Modeling Software
● Available for Windows, Linux, and
MacOS
● Good at “clean” models (taking
some of worry out of the process–
you can be oblivious to “non-
manifold” and “bad face normals”)
● Because it’s instruction-based, it’s
easy to visualize measurements and
come back and tweak it
http://www.openscad.org/downloads.html

9. Blender
Expansive, free, open-source software for 3D
modeling, rendering, rigging, animation, video
editing. Lets you edit down to the individual
vertex.
Interface can be overwhelming with lots to learn.
It is not necessarily making clean meshes for 3D
Printing, but HUGE community behind it with lots
and lots of tutorials and videos.
https://blender.org

10. SculptGL
● Web-based and free
● Mimics working with clay
● Tools like
○ Inflate
○ Twist
○ Pinch
○ Crease
○ Brush
https://stephaneginier.com/sculptgl/

11. Tinkercad - Workplane
• Like a piece of graph paper.
• By Default– Millimeter measurements (Can be changed)

12. Tinkercad – Camera Controls
Navigation Buttons (officially called “The Camera”) on the upper left
hand corner
Right Click allows you to move the “camera”
Shift Right Click allows you to pan
Mouse Scroll Wheel lets you zoom in and out

13. Tinkercad - Adding Shapes
• Drag and Drop to Your Workplane

14. Tinkercad - Clicking
You can think of it as
alphabetic order:
Left Clicks → Shapes
Right Clicks → Workplane
Mouse Image by Wasin Waeosri

15. Tinkercad - Moving Things on the Workplane
Photo Credit: Project Ignite

16. Moving Things – Along the Workplane
• Along the Workplane (X and Y), just Left Click
and Drag and Drop
Tip: Be careful to click on the object and not
one of the icons.
• The numbers and arrows show you how far
you have moved it.

17. Moving Things – Up and Down
• To move up and down off the
workplace, Left Click on the
little arrow icon and drag.
• As you pull it up, you’ll see a
shadow, indicating the object
is not resting on the
workplane.
• The numbers to the right of
the object tell you exactly how
far it is off the workplane

18. Tinkercad - Rotating
• When an object is selected, the three little curved arrow icons (the
“Rotation Handles”) allow you to rotate your object.

19. Tinkercad - Rotating
• A circle appears to help you rotate (The
“Protractor”)
• The Inner Circle rotates at 22.5 degrees steps
• The Outer Circle rotates at 1 degree steps
• Holding down Shift rotates at 45 degrees steps

20. Tinkercad - Resizing (Scaling)
• When you select and object, there are black and white dots (the
“Scaling Handles”)

21. Tinkercad - Resizing
White Dots scale two sizes (dimensions) at once
Black Dots scale one size
Hint: You can tell what sides you are resizing by the numbers

22. Tinkercad - Resizing
• The White Dot (“handle”) at the top allows you to control the height
of your object

23. Tinkercad - Resizing – Proportional
• If you want to resize everything uniformly (you love your object, you
just want it bigger all around), hold down the Shift key.
• If you want to grow out from the center while resizing, hold down the
Alt Key

24. Tinkercad – Copying Items
• You can use Copy and Paste Icons
• You can also do Ctrl-C and Ctrl-V
• Holding down the Alt key while you
Left Click and Drag will also make a
copy of the object.
• You can select multiple objects at
once and copy and paste those too.

25. Tinkercad - Fixing Mistakes
• Undo/Redo
Like Word, Excel or most programs,
you have the ability to Undo and
Redo steps.
• Delete
Just click on the object and click the
Delete button

26. Tinkercad - Holes
• Any Shape, Letter, Number, etc Can Be Turned Into a Hole
• Holes allow you to subtract an object from another
• Click on the Inspector and select Hole

27. Tinkercad - Holes
• Practical Applications:
• Actual Holes
• To Change Shapes
• Or to Engrave!

28. Tinkercad - Grouping
• Grouping makes multiple objects into one and applies any holes
• Select your objects and hit Group Icon (or Ctrl-G). You can always
Ungroup.

29. Tinkercad – Download for 3D Printing
• Click on Export button
• In most cases, you’ll pick .STL as the format

30. Tinkercad - Learn More
Tinkercad has many interactive tutorials and guides.
https://www.tinkercad.com/learn
YouTuber Chuck Hellebuyck often uses Tinkercad in his projects and
has a “Tinkercad 3D Design Tutorials” playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-
zxWElGh7c8&list=PLRFPlUhDTTllAprh8GbHJw0NjHKWT7Yzs

31. OpenSCAD – Anatomy of User Interface
Text Editor – Where we put our
instructions (“code”)
Viewing Area – Your handiwork!
Renders of the model.
Console – Technical information
about what’s going on (progress
on rendering, any error
messages)

32. OpenSCAD – Text Editor Commands
Icons to create new files, save, undo, redo, indent,
preview, render, and most importantly for 3D Printing--
export to STL format.

33. OpenSCAD – Text Editor to Viewing Area
To see how your work looks, you can:
• Use Preview ( ) or Render ( ) icons
• Use the Design->Preview or Design->Render menu options
• Or the fastest option - use F5 for Preview and F6 for Render

34. OpenSCAD – Viewing Area Commands
Commands for Viewing, Rendering, Zooming In, Changing Views, Turning On or Off
Axis and Measurements Display, Showing Edges Versus Faces

35. OpenSCAD –Viewing Area
• Left clicking and dragging allows you to rotate your view
• Right clicking and dragging pans the view
• Scroll wheel allows you to zoom in and out

36. OpenSCAD – Syntax Common Themes
• ; - The end of an instruction (ie make a cube;)
• // - A comment or label– for your purposes– will be ignored by the
viewing area
• { } - Grouping of commands
• [x,y,z] – “Vectors” (Coordinates, 3D sizes)
Reference: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/General

37. Building with Primitive Shapes

38. Building with Primitive Shapes

39. Building with Primitive Shapes
A heart can be two circles and a triangle.

40. OpenSCAD – Primitive Objects – Cube
cube([10,10,10]); cube([10,20,30]);cube([x, y, z]);
Draws 3D boxes
Not necessarily perfect
cubes – you can make
rectangles with it as well.
Reference: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/Primitive_Solids#cube

41. OpenSCAD – Primitive Objects – Cylinder
cylinder(r=10,h=22);
cylinder(r1=10,r2=3,h=22);
cylinder(r=x,h=z);
cylinder(r1=x,r2=y,h=z);
Draws cylinders – and not
necessarily perfect
cylinders
Reference: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/Primitive_Solids#cylinder

42. OpenSCAD – Primitive Objects – Cylinder
cylinder(r1=9, r2=0, h=9, $fn=4);
$fn parameter controls # of fragments
Increase– you can make really smooth objects
Decrease it– you can make Triangles, Pentagons, Pyramids, etc.
cylinder(r=9,$fn=3);cylinder(r=9,h=10,$fn=300);
Reference: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/Primitive_Solids#cylinder

43. OpenSCAD – Primitive Objects – Sphere
sphere(d=22); sphere(d=22, $fn=100);sphere(d=x);
Draws spheres – and you can
control resolution
$fn parameter controls how
smooth it looks
Reference: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/Primitive_Solids#sphere

44. OpenSCAD – 2D Objects - Text
text("TGAW");
Text(“x”)
;Draws text. Text is great for customizing your models, engraving,
and embossing.
Reference: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/Text

45. OpenSCAD – 2D Objects - Text
Text(“x”, Font=“Font Name”);
Since OpenSCAD is installed on your machine, you can use any font already on your machine!
text("TGAW", font="Rockwell Extra Bold");
text("TGAW", font="Old English Text MT");
text("TGAW", font="Wingdings");
Reference: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/Text

46. OpenSCAD – 2D Objects - Polygons
polygon([[-24,0],[0,0],[0,32]
,[-16,32],[-15,28],[-13,24]
,[-12,20],[-12,15],[-13,10]
,[-15,6],[-19,3]]);
Polygon([x1,y1],[x2,y2],etc);
You specify the points to make
customized shapes (which you can
then extrude to 3D if needed)
Reference: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/2D_Primitives#polygon

47. OpenSCAD – 2D to 3D
linear_extrude(height = 10)
polygon([[-24,0],[0,0],[0,32],[-16,32]
,[-15,28],[-13,24],[-12,20],[-12,15]
,[-13,10],[-15,6],[-19,3]]);
Linear_Extrude(height=x)
Makes your 2D object (circle, square, polygon) 3D
It can even twist the object as it grows up
NO SEMICOLON AFTER IT
(It’s not the end of the statement– we have to tell it what to extrude)
aa
Reference: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/2D_to_3D_Extrusion#Linear_Extrude

48. OpenSCAD – Import STL
import("C:DownloadsVT.stl",convexity=10);
import(filepath, convexity=10);
The import function lets you bring in
existing 3D models into your project.
Note: In Your filepath, backslashes need to be doubled.
C:DownloadsMyStl.stl -> C:DownloadsMyStl.stl
Tip: If you are using other people’s models, be sure to
check and respect their licensing
(http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:818805 by GlynnLo)
Reference: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/Importing_Geometry

49. OpenSCAD Basics – Translate
cube([22,22,5]);
sphere(d=22, $fn=100);
cube([22,22,5]);
translate([11,11,0])
sphere(d=22, $fn=100);
translate([x,y,z])
Translate MOVES objects– lets you
define the how far to move along
each of the axes.
NO SEMICOLON AFTER IT
(It’s not the end of the statement– we have to tell it what to translate)
Reference: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/Transformations#translate

50. OpenSCAD –Rotate
rotate([x,y,z])
Rotate angles the object.
Guide to the axis is in your preview panel
NO SEMICOLON AFTER IT
(It’s not the end of the statement– we have to tell it what to rotate)
It’s Okay if you Need Some Trial and Error : )
Reference: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/Transformations#rotate

51. OpenSCAD - Rotate
rotate([0,-45,0])
cube([22,22,5]);
rotate([0,0,30])
cube([22,22,5]);
rotate([x,y,z])
rotate([30,-45,30])
cube([22,22,5]);
Reference: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/Transformations#rotate

52. OpenSCAD - Resize
resize([x,y,z],auto=true|false)
Resize allows you to make your object different
sizes where x, y, and z are your new dimensions
NO SEMICOLON AFTER IT
(It’s not the end of the statement– we have to tell it what to resize)
If auto=false, anything left zero stays the same.
If auto=true, anything left zero is sized proportionally. resize([200,0,10], auto=true)
import("VT.stl", convexity=10);
resize([200,0,10], auto=false)
import("VT.stl", convexity=10);
import("VT.stl", convexity=10);
Reference: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/Transformations#resize

53. OpenSCAD – CSG Modeling
CSG stands for Constructive Solid Geometry. ← You don’t need to remember that
Do Remember:
• Powerful!
• Combines your primitive parts/objects.
• Adding, Subtracting, Intersections
Credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructive_solid_geometry#/media/File:Csg_tree.png
Reference: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/CSG_Modelling

54. OpenSCAD – CSG Modeling - Union
Adds objects into a one
union ()
{
object1;
object2;
}
union()
{
cube([5,10,5]);
translate([5,10,2.5])
{
rotate([0,-90,0])
cylinder(d=5, h=5, $fn=30);
}
translate([5,0,2.5])
{
rotate([0,-90,0])
cylinder(d=5, h=5, $fn=30);
}
}
Two cylinders and a cube
After union – single rounded object
Reference: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/CSG_Modelling#union

55. OpenSCAD – CSG Modeling - Difference
Subtracts objects from each other
difference ()
{
object1;
object2;
}
difference()
{
cube([5,10,5]);
translate([5.5,10,2.5])
{
rotate([0,-90,0])
cylinder(d=5, h=6, $fn=30);
}
translate([5.5,-1,2.5])
{
rotate([0,-90,0])
cylinder(d=5, h=6, $fn=30);
}
}
Two cylinders and a cube
After “subtracting” the cylinders from
the cube
Reference: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/CSG_Modelling#difference

56. OpenSCAD – CSG Modeling - Difference
Practical Use of Difference – Engraving Text!
difference()
{
cube([5,10,5]);
translate([5.5,10,2.5])
{
rotate([0,-90,0])
cylinder(d=5, h=6, $fn=30);
}
translate([5.5,-1,2.5])
{
rotate([0,-90,0])
cylinder(d=5, h=6, $fn=30);
}
translate([2,6.5,0.5])
rotate([90,0,-90])
linear_extrude(height=2)
text("V", font="Old English Text MT", size=4);
}
Reference: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/CSG_Modelling#difference

57. OpenSCAD – CSG Modeling - Intersection
Takes where both objects overlap
(like a Venn Diagram)
intersection ()
{
object1;
object2;
}
intersection()
{
cylinder(r=5,h=3);
translate([4,0,0])
cylinder(r=5, h=3);
}
Two cylinders
Intersection – an Almond Shape
Reference: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/CSG_Modelling#intersection

58. OpenSCAD – CSG Modeling - Intersection
Practical Use of Intersection – Curving Details!
intersection()
{
sphere(r=9.25, $fn=100);
resize([0,0,11],auto=false)
resize([12,0,0], auto=true)
import("VT.stl", convexity=10);
}
A sphere and a VT Logo Intersection – A curved VT Logo
Reference: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/CSG_Modelling#intersection

59. OpenSCAD – CSG Modeling - Combinations
Practical Use of Intersection – Curving Details!
union()
{
sphere(r=9, $fn=100);
intersection()
{
sphere(r=9.25, $fn=100);
resize([0,0,11],auto=false)
resize([12,0,0], auto=true)
import("VT.stl", convexity=10);
}
}
Add a slightly smaller sphere and we have a curved, embossed VT logo on a sphere.
Reference: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/CSG_Modelling

60. OpenSCAD – Advanced - Modules
To help readability and reusability, you can make modules.
module name()
{ //your code }
module base_sphere()
{
sphere(r=9, $fn=100);
}
module curved_VT()
{
intersection()
{
sphere(r=9.25, $fn=100);
resize([0,0,11],auto=false)
resize([12,0,0], auto=true)
import("VT.stl", convexity=10);
}
}
union()
{
base_sphere();
curved_VT();
}
union()
{
sphere(r=9, $fn=100);
intersection()
{
sphere(r=9.25, $fn=100);
resize([0,0,11],auto=false)
resize([12,0,0], auto=true)
import("VT.stl", convexity=10);
}
}
Reference: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/Modules
Fun Fact – All objects in a model are already merged into one, no
unions necessary

61. OpenSCAD – Advanced - Loops
Loops are powerful for repeated tasks
for ( i = [start : increment : end] )
{ //your code }
for (i=[0:5:15])
{
translate([i,0,0])
cylinder(r=1, h=15, $fn=36);
}
Translation– We are going to start at 0. Every 5 mm, draw a
cylinder until we reach 15mm.
Reference: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/Conditional_and_Iterator_Functions#For_Loop

62. OpenSCAD – Advanced - Loops
“Nested Loops”
for ( i = [start : increment : end], j = [start : increment : end] )
{ //your code }
for (i=[0:5:15],j=[0:5:20])
{
translate([i,j,0])
cylinder(r=1, h=15, $fn=36);
}
Translation– We going to end up with 20 pegs in 4 columns
and 5 rows.
Reference: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/Conditional_and_Iterator_Functions#For_Loop

63. OpenSCAD – Troubleshooting
Having Unexpected Results?
● Check Your Syntax
(maybe there’s a semi colon after a translate)
● Check the Console for error messages (which would include a
line number)

64. OpenSCAD – Troubleshooting
echo allows you to send details to the Console
// allows you to comment out instructions so you can narrow
down the culprit
echo("i:", i, " j:", j);

65. OpenSCAD – Troubleshooting
• # allows you to have objects highlighted
difference()
{
cube([5,10,5]);
translate([5.5,10,2.5])
{
rotate([0,-90,0])
cylinder(d=5, h=6, $fn=30);
}
translate([5.5,-1,2.5])
{
#rotate([0,-90,0])
cylinder(d=5, h=6, $fn=30);
}
}

66. OpenSCAD – Saving and Exporting
• Be sure to Save your code often
• When you’re ready to print, you’ll want to Export to STL file.
• Prerequisite– Do your official render (F6).
• The system will remind you. : )

67. OpenSCAD – Learning More
Online User Manual
https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual
Quick Cheat Sheet
http://www.openscad.org/cheatsheet/
Example Code from Others

68. Blender - Windows and Screens
● Info View (Menu)
● 3D View
○ Tool Shelf
○ Properties Shelf
● Outliner (List of
Objects)
● Properties
Reference: https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/latest/interface/window_system/introduction.html

69. 3D View - Navigating
Rotate View Pan View Zoom In Zoom Out
Mouse scroll wheel helps you view your work from all angles and distances
No Mouse? http://www.blenderhut.com/use-blender-without-middle-mouse-button-or-scroll-wheel/

70. 3D View - Navigating
View menu at the bottom of the 3D View has
shortcuts to specific perspectives:
● Left
● Right
● Back
● Front
● Bottom
● Top

71. 3D View - Selecting Objects
Left Click for Actions
Scaling, Rotating, Moving (including "Moving 3D
Cursor")
Right Click for Selections
Selecting Object, Vertex, Control Point, etc
Screenshot from Blender 3D Printing by Example

72. Vertices, Edges, Faces
The 3D models you make in any software will be comprised of:
● Vertices
● Edges
● Faces
Reference: https://www.mathopenref.com/edge.html

73. 3D View - Object Interaction Mode
Menu at the bottom of 3D View (or Tab)
lets you change how you are interacting
with your objects.
● Object Mode
Actions for an entire object such as
Add, Delete, Scale, Rotate, Move
● Edit Mode
Edit specific details of an object-- even
down to vertex level.
● Sculpt Mode, Texture Paint

74. 3D View - Edit Mode
When you are in Edit Mode, you can specify what you are working with:
○ Vertices
○ Edges
○ Faces

75. Blender - First Project
Each project starts with three default items:
Screenshot from Blender 3D Printing by Example

76. Blender - Deleting Default Cube
1. Make sure you are in Object Mode
2. Right click to select Cube
3. Hit Delete key and confirm.
Screenshot from Blender 3D Printing by Example

77. Making It Easier with a Background Image
When learning to write, we start with
tracing.
We can add a background image in
Blender to trace without a steady
hand!

78. Pulling in a Background Image
1. Click on the + or hit N to open
Properties Shelf
2. Check Background Images
3. Click Open

79. Pulling in a Background Image
4. Browse to and pick image
5. Click Open Image

80. Viewing Your Background Image
Upper Left corner of 3D View shows how
you are looking at your object.
By default, your background image is
going to be visible in the Top / Ortho view.

81. Perspective versus Ortho
We are looking at 3D objects on a 2D screen.
● Perspective View adjusts proportion to
account for depth (like foreshortening a road
to a horizon)
● Orthographic View keeps sizes intact
regardless of depth (parallel lines) are
parallel.
Perspective is subject to optical illusions.

82. Viewing Your Background Image
View->Top and then View->View Persp/Ortho
Drone Credit: https://www.istockphoto.com/vector/drone-vector-gm604383194-103803029

83. 3D Cursor
Where new objects are going to be added
Can also be used for rotation, scaling and tweaking object’s origin
points.
Moving it is as action, so you move it with a left click

84. Adding a Cylinder
To add a new Cylinder:
1. Make sure you are in
Object Mode
2. Left click to move the 3D
Cursor where you want to
add the Cylinder
3. Under Create click
Cylinder

85. Changing a Cylinder to a Triangle
1. In the Tool Shelf, expand
Add Cylinder
2. Change Vertices to 3

86. Rotating a Whole Object
1. Make sure you are in Object
Mode
2. If necessary, right click on the
object to select it.
3. In the Properties Shelf, you can
type in exact degrees under
Rotatation
4. Alternatively you can type R
[Axis] [Degrees] such as “R Z
180”

87. Moving a Whole Object
1. In Object Mode, right click to
select the object.
2. Left click and hold on the axis
arrows to move along a
specific axis
3. In the Properties Shelf, you
can also type in specific
Location coordinates.

88. Scaling an Object
1. In Object Mode, right
click on the object to
select it.
2. Scale or exact
Dimensions can be
entered in the
Properties Shelf.
3. You can also type S and
use the mouse to scale.
(S [Axis] will allow you to
scale just a single axis)

89. Deleting a Face
1. With your object selected, switch
to Edit Mode
2. Switch to Face Select Mode
3. Right click on the Face to select
it.

90. Deleting a Face
4. Hit Delete on the keyboard.
5. You are asked what to delete, in
this case, select Vertices.

91. Subdividing an Edge
Subdivide is an easy way to
divide up an edge or face into
more vertices.

92. Subdividing an Edge
1) In Edit Mode, switch to
Edge Select mode.
2) Right click to select the
edge.
3) Under Mesh->Edges select
Subdivide.
-or-
Hit W.

93. Moving an Individual Vertex
1. In Vertex Select mode,
right click on the vertex
to select it.
2. Left click and hold on
one of the axis arrows
and move it to the new
position.

94. Multi-selecting Vertices
The Shift and the Control keys can
be held down while right-clicking to
select multiple items.

95. Mesh Modeling
By moving individual vertices, we can define our own custom shape.

96. Deleting Vertices
1) In Vertex Select mode,
use right click (with
Control and Shift) to
select the vertices you
wish to delete.
2) Hit the Delete button on
the keyboard.
3) Select Vertices.

97. Making a New Face
1) In Edit Mode hit A to
select all the vertices in
our heart.
2) Go to Mesh->Face-
>Make Edge/Face
-or-
Hit F

98. Turning 2D to 3D with Extrude
1. Switch to Edit Mode
2. Switch to Face Select Mode
3. Right click to select Face.
4. In Toolshelf, under the Tools
tab click on Extrude>Extrude
Region
5. Type in exact height (3mm) or
use mouse to size.

99. Save Work with Mirror Modifier
1) Switch to Object Mode
2) In the Properties Window, click
on the Wrench icon to access
Modifiers
3) Click Add Modifier and select
Mirror.

100. Save Work with Mirror Modifier
4) Check the Axis/Axes you wish
to mirror over.

101. Adding Text
Text is an easy way to personalize something and make it your
own.
1. Make sure you are in Object Mode
2. Left click to move the 3D Cursor where you want the text
3. In the Toolshelf, go to the Create tab and click Text under
Other

102. Adding Text - Sizing
Text will be “Text” at first. It may be hard to see. Multiple ways
to make it bigger.
1) Hit S and using the mouse to scale.
2) Typing in a Scale in the Properties Shelf

103. Adding Text - Sizing
3) Adjust the Font properties in the Properties Window!
a) Right click on Object to select it.
b) Click on the F icon in the
Properties window
c) Increase the Size under the Font
section.
Note: These same Font properties can adjust the Font
face and spacing between words and characters.

104. Adding Text - Customizing
Changing the text changes the “shape”.
1. Switch to Edit Mode
2. The cursor is placed at the end of the
text.
3. Backspace 4 times and type what
you want.

105. Adding Text - Making It 3D
Same steps as Bezier Curves.
1. Object->Convert to->Mesh
From Curve/Meta/Surf/Text
2. Switch to Edit Mode
3. A for Select All
4. E for Extrude and type
thickness

106. Working with Multiple Objects - Lining Up
Switching your view may reveal alignment flaws.

107. Working with Multiple Objects - Lining Up
Each Object has a yellow Origin
Point. The Location in the
Properties Shelf lists the exact
coordinates of that point.

108. Working with Multiple Objects - Lining Up
By making coordinates match, you can line objects up exactly
In this case, you can also use Snap to Volume to have Blender
automatically snap your objects flush.

109. Reading and Setting Sizes in Blender
Dimensions and Scale
visible in the Properties
Shelf.
Treat default “Blender Units”
as millimeters.

110. Holes with Boolean Difference
Add a second cylinder for your hole:
1) In Object Mode, left click to move the
3D Cursor where you want your new
cylinder.
2) Under Create click Cylinder
3) If neccessary, adjust the Vertices count

111. Holes with Boolean Difference
1. Right click on the object you
wish to subtract from.
2. In the Properties Window,
click on the Wrench icon to go
to Modifiers
3. Click Add Modifier and select
Boolean
4. For Operation pick Difference.
For Object, pick the new
cylinder

112. Hiding Objects
In the Outliner, clicking the Eye icon will toggle whether an object is visible.

113. Border Select
Multiple Objects can be also selected with Select->Border Select (or hit B).
Left click and drag a square around what you want to select.

114. Exporting to STL
STL is a file format compatible with the printer’s slicer.
1. Right click on what you want to
export to Select
2. In the top menu, go to
File->Export->Stl (.stl)

115. Exporting to STL
STL is a file format compatible with the printer’s slicer.
3. Check Selection only
4. Pick a file name and hit
Export STL

116. Blender - Learning More
● Books
Such as Blender 3D Printing by Example
● Tutorials & Blogs
https://www.blender.org/support/tutorials/
● YouTube
Joe Larson (3D Printing Professor)
If you see the name “Jonathan Williamson”, it is going to be a great tutorial.

117. SculptGL
Another way to 3D Model is to sculpt

118. SculptGL - Navigation
● Left clicking or Right clicking and dragging allows you to rotate your
view
● Moving Scroll wheel up or down allows you to zoom in and out
● Holding down scroll wheel allows you to pan

119. SculptGL - Adding Objects
New objects can be added under the Scene menu. Can start with sphere, cube,
cylinder or torus

120. SculptGL - Tools
Tools allow you to manipulate your object

121. SculptGL - Transform Tool
The Transform Tool lets you resize, reposition, and rotate.

122. SculptGL - Negative Checkbox
If the Negative box is selected, you are subtracting. Otherwise, you are adding.

123. SculptGL - Radius and Intensity
Radius and Intensity allows you to adjust the effect of your work (thicker or thinner
lines for example).

124. SculptGL - Export to STL
1) Click on the Files
(Import/Export)
menu.
2) Select Save .stl
3) The web browser will
prompt you for where
to save the
downloaded file.

125. SculptGL - Learning More
Video: SculptGL Tutorial for beginners Part 1 How to create chairs and tables
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smpQH91QcjY
Manual from Sculpteo
https://www.sculpteo.com/en/tutorial/sculptgl-prepare-your-model-3d-printing/