A Lesson in Producing Designs

Ok, we're not going to draw fresh from news this time around. Instead I'm going to recall my own trials and tribulations and offer up some advice on producing your own wonderful designs. Detailing how to avoid the troubles I had to deal with.

1) Double check your models for holes.

I actually didn't have any problems here however, I have found helping others, this is a common problem. Tiny holes can really screw up a print so always double check your model for holes. You can use functions like Cap or Patch in Rhino/Matrix. While the Close Holes option in Zbrush will fill in any undesirable spaces that you may have accidentally left behind using Dynamesh on your model.

2) Double check your file types.

Before you throw your computer out the window trying to upload your precious 3D model to service sites like Shapeways. Check what file types they take and what your program saves them as I've accidentally gotten enraged at Shapeways for mistakenly trying to upload .3dm and .ztl files several times. Most print service sites like Shapeways take .stl/.obj files. Most modeling software also have the ability to save in those. These are the two formats I usually default to. Of course if your site requires other file types you may have to use converters like netfabb which you can pick up for free.

3) Check your model's walls.

This is one that put me in multiple pickles. A lot of my models have had issues regarding "thin walls" It's not something a designer thinks about consciously, while attempting to create art. You don't want to be spending weeks in limbo with your print service trying to fix thin walls. This is less of a problem for designers using Rhino/Matrix and more of a problem with heavy Zbrush users like me. Pixologic hasn't included a real life grid measurement system so always double check your wall thicknesses before uploading. It'll save you a lot of time and heartache. Programs that are especially designed for rapid prototyping work will have less of an issue with this as there are built in measurement tools and customizable sized grids.

Increasing wall thickness in Zbrush is fairly easy, functions such as Inflate in the Deformation tool menu can easily fix some of these thickness issues. Just be aware that it may distort your model a little. Be prepared to re-adjust your model accordingly.

Likewise in Rhino and Matrix you can simply go back to your curves and re-size them before extruding into a surface. Similarly you can use T-splines to try to manipulate them accordingly.

4) Double check the size of your model

This one is pretty self explanatory. But, I actually goofed and almost printed what should have been a 60mm across bracelet as almost a 30mm across bracelet. That would have been a really tight fit XD Luckily orders are easily cancelled at Shapeways so when someone pointed my mistake out I was able to quickly re-upload the appropriately sized model.

Rhino and Matrix has multiple ways of scaling using the Gumball feature you can simply scale your model accordingly by dragging the tiny square at the end of the arrows. Or you can use Scale 2-D/3-D depending on what you need to increase.

Zbrush has similar scaling mechanics with the Transpose tool in the move menu. However, it's best to size your model before bringing it into Zbrush to sculpt.

5) Double check your site's upload rules.

Some places don't allow X-rated materials to be posted. So always double check lest you wish to get in trouble by breaking TOS (Term of Service). If your site does allow X-rated material, great. Then you can probably ignore this rule.

3D Printing, it's not all sunshine and roses.

Hi, my name's Kenta, I'm now one of the official authors for Chic O Chic blog. I was involved in the last few entries but this will be an unofficial entry of my own. I spent all last week touting how 3D Printing would make life easier, that it was the way of the future. While that is true for the most part, all of that praise has to be taken with a grain of salt. While it is true that 3D printing will make our lives easier in the long run there's still the monster of designing what needs to be printed. I myself am currently involved in learning both Rhino and Zbrush as my modeling programs. I can tell you now that the prospect of being able to print yourself a sofa sounds attractive. However, few have the technical acuity to use the software to design a cutting edge product.

Even after learning Rhinoceros 5.0 for my basic CAD training and graduating shortly after into using Zbrush for full on modeling I'm still far from an accomplished 3D designer. Most of the programs now while certainly getting more intuitive than their original beasts, still have a large learning curve. The price you literally and mentally pay for getting into a beast like 3DMax is all its own; around 3500~5000$ USD for the software followed by investment in training and long hours modeling. You may not have to be as artistically inclined as your actual artist counterparts, but it's still no walk in the park. Anybody who already majors in Art or has experience working with their hands will already have an edge up as they'll be able to envision what they want to build. But, having what it takes to translate that into digitally generated model with a keyboard, digitizer tablet and mouse is again another hurdle that needs to be traversed.

You may also have to learn multiple programs to fabricate what you desire. Rhinoceros for example is great with designing rigid more technical structures. It excels vastly in that sense over Zbrush. However, Zbrush offers smoother/easier modeling. Allowing you to make vastly superior organic models at a much quicker pace.

A highly detailed workflow could take you not only days, but weeks/months to complete depending on the level of complexity. So if you're dreaming about owning a machine be prepared to put some blood and sweat into mastering it. Aside from mastering using a program. If one wants to print a functional piece you will also have to consider materials, structural integrity, among many other common design problems.

Ok, ok enough doom and gloom. I think I've made my point. While it certainly is an exciting field don't everyone go out and by a machine all at once. You'll still need to consider if you'll really be able to use such a machine. I look forward to talking more about this topic. I hope you'll continue to read my posts.

-Kenta