Customized design to print

Last article, I had explained how to print out using 3D printer as anycubic kossel. A types of STL files can be printed after converting by CURA. Today, I would like to describe how to design and what tools are available to design for beginner.

# Tools

There are several types of tools to design. Many of these are free but each has pros and cons. Here is a list that I know to design and export as STL file. If a type is stl, it would be printed after converting.

1) Sketchup 2017 (https://www.sketchup.com/ko/download)

It is very common to design for beginner and expert as well. There is level when we download the tool from the site. 'Make' level is free, 'Pro' level is non free. If you are hobbies to design, you can select Make level of the tool and install, You can install without payment. 

Once you choose some information to download and it will be installed in your PC.

Look at the icon in your PC, SketchUp2017 will be launched If you want to start.

I choose the option to launch the program as carpenter with millimeter. But basically, If we design some of things, the tool will create and do not have option to export as STL. Therefore you need to install extension package to export STL.

Move to window section and select Extension Warehouse in order to find package what I want. Type as 'stl' and '3d text' to install in this tool. 

You can see the menu in file section of the menu after installing extension package.

If you want to export the design, you can select 'Export STL'. Aslo, you can import stl file to modify.

See the file type when you import in this menu.

2) Thinker cad (https://www.tinkercad.com/)

The tool is working based on web side. It doesn't need to install in you pc. If you sign up and log in. All of functionalities you can use and maintain it.

You can start to design using various templates.

Especially, thinker cad is good for making circle type. Most of makers are beginner to design. I feel the tool is not the design tool because of it's severe convenience. Whatever you want to use, you can choose either of them or use both. In my case, I would prefer to use sketchup.

# Own designing.

1) 3D Texting.

Based sketchup, I have installed 3d text extension package to use. Let's start to write to print 3D text using 3d printer. It's too simple. Just select the menu to write and drag it where you want to place.

As well as you can change the height, width and depth.

After exporting the file and then import the file from CURA to change gcode.

Here is final output!!

2) Modification

Once you import exist stl file and put some of text or whatever you want to do. In this case I try to add initial of the name on the original stl.

And then export stl file again to import from cura.

I was worry about the printing due to complicated shape. After 5 hours.....I had to stop printing m.m.

I might sure the problem is support and others. It would be configured to print properly later.