Bring Your Ideas to Life with 3D Printing

Join me, Porter Nielsen as we use Blender and PrusaSlicer to design, create, and print anything you can imagine, with step-by-step guidance for all skill levels.

3D printing is can be used across various industries and is increasingly popular in the hobbyist community—and for good reason. The ability to create almost anything simply, inexpensively, and quickly fuels innovation and creativity.

PRINTLAB is designed to bridge that gap, offering a comprehensive guide to using Blender and PrusaSlicer for 3D printing. Whether you're new to Blender or an experienced user, our clear and straightforward approach will equip you with the skills needed to create and print various works. The concepts taught are extensive, providing valuable insights for all levels of experience.

The course begins with a quick overview of Blender and PrusaSlicer, covering the basics of preparing files for 3D printing.

You'll learn how to import, export, scale, correct normals, make objects manifold, add printing supports, and slice files.

From there, we delve into creative techniques, such as using modifiers to create artistic effects like low-polygon models and unique vases.

You'll explore box modeling, curve modeling, and using SVGs to create intricate printable objects.

Additionally, the course covers kitbashing—combining different models to create new and original designs—and modifying non-printable files to make them 3D printable. The course concludes with lessons on sculpting and adding unique textures to your models.

Let's get started! 🍪

What you will learn

Chapter 1: Basic things for 3D Printing

This chapter covers key steps in 3D printing with Blender, including making models manifold, fixing normals, and scaling accurately. You'll also learn how to prepare and export files with PrusaSlicer, focusing on practical considerations like tolerance and overhangs. The chapter wraps up with a hands-on homework assignment to apply these skills.

Chapter 2:  Helpful Modifiers

This chapter explores Blender's modifiers like Decimate for low-poly art, Remesh for a pixelated look, and Wireframe for intricate designs. We cover lattice deformations, Boolean operations, and the Spin tool. The final project combines these techniques to create a unique vase.

Chapter 3: Key Modeling Skills

This chapter covers key modeling skills like extrusions, curves, and SVG imports. You'll practice by modeling a race car, creating a cat charm, adding text to objects, and designing practical items like a key rack and a card case. Homework: create a useful object for your home.

Chapter 4: Let's do some kitbashing

This chapter covers 3D printing overlapping objects, kitbashing models into new creations, and making non-printable models printable. You'll also learn to add functional joints to a model. Homework: kitbash models and make a posable robot printable, testing joint strength.

Chapter 5:  Creating a Dinosaur

This chapter introduces sculpting basics in Blender, focusing on enhancing 3D prints. You'll sculpt a dinosaur, add equipment, and practice with hair and advanced techniques like texturing and radial symmetry. Homework: apply your skills to create and sculpt your model.

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