Help!! I want to learn 3d Printing

@Saad Abdul Basil,

You can learn the process if 3D modeling easily enough using tools such as 123D Make by AutoDesk or the in-browser TinkerCAD they recently picked up support on as well. I frequently use TinkerCAD with my K-12 students to teach basic CAD design because it is free and runs entirely in the browser, so needs no installation on the client system. Other free offerings like the SketchUp program (formerly by Google) or the popular open-source Blender provide much more detailed capabilities but those go well beyond the starter level. All you need for 3D Printing is that you create a manifold surface (sealed, water-tight) to define your object model and then export this as an STL file (many types of 3D Printing software can also use OBJ and other file types, STL is just the most commonly implemented on both commercial and consumer-grade 3D Printers). Many packages like TinkerCAD and Blender can just export your model to STL format directly without any additional steps.

Once you have the STL file, you can take that to a local makerspace and see if they can handle reproducing it for you, or you can use any of the various online services (iMaterlize, Shapeways, etc) to fabricate your object and ship it to you. Alternatively, you can purchase or build your own 3D Printer (lowest price for a pre-built is around $400 USD currently, but you can build your own RepRap printer for less if you obtain most of the parts from scrap ink-jet printers, etc). Richard Horne (@RichRap) and I discussed some of these options in the upcoming "3D Printing for Dummies" book that Nate Chapman did a fine job editing for Wiley, and we are working on a book on "inexpensive RepRap designs for makerspaces, shools and home users" (only a working title at present) for the MAKE publishing house. Building your own design has the advantage that anything that goes wrong, you will be able to fix, unlike commercially-produced variations although I have taken my MakerBot apart to replace worn o-rings and many other components many times too.

First, develop skill in creating 3D models, then locate a local group that can fabricate them for you or hire it done via an online service. After you are comfortable that you can use your printed objects for some purpose, then look into building or buying your own 3D printer!

Kalani Kirk Hausman

Being involved with the "3D Printing for Dummies" book and not having anything vested in it,  I can honestly say that this is a must read for anyone looking at getting into or even highly versed in 3D printing.  By the time you’re done you should have no problem sourcing and building a 3D printer.  Great job Kalani and Rich. I’m looking forward to your next read.

Nate

Being involved with the "3D Printing for Dummies" book and not having anything vested in it,  I can honestly say that this is a must read for anyone looking at getting into or even highly versed in 3D printing.  By the time you’re done you should have no problem sourcing and building a 3D printer.  Great job Kalani and Rich. I’m looking forward to your next read.

Nate