MakerBot Industries

Autodesk 123d is one of many freely-available apps that new MakerBot users might consider learning.  And unlike some other programs we love, it looks like Autodesk wants it to be easy to print your models on a MakerBot.  In fact, they want it so much that they’ve just posted the above video on their youtube channel.

It’s a bit long (over 9 minutes) but put it on your list for when you’re woodshedding your 3d-modeling chops.  While it’s specifically aimed at the Thing-O-Matic, most of what they’re saying should transfer to the Replicator.  Just model for a larger build area!

123d is a bit different from other modeling programs, and might be a bit counter-intuitive if you’re used to one of the others.  However, their youtube channel has a number of tutorials and there are some neat things about the project (like an iPad app and a photo-to-model program.)

If you’re looking to pick up some 3d modeling skills while you’re waiting for your Replicator, this is one of many great programs to learn!

MakerBot Industries has partnered with 3D Artist Magazine in the UK for an exciting design contest! Our challenge is to design your own pet monster – whether it’s an adorable companion or a fearsome crittter, use your imagination to create the pet you wish you had. Each design will be judged on its creativity, character and ‘MakerBot-ability’, by a judging panel of 3D Artist and MakerBot Industries staff. The winner will receive a custom, fully-assembled MakerBot 3D printer, and the top 3 runners up will have their models printed, photographed and mailed back to them.

How to enter

You can submit as many designs as you like. Simply:

• Create a free account at Thingiverse
• Upload your original design files and ready-to-print STLs (under an Attribution – Share Alike – Creative Commons license) plus at least 3 non-textured renders
• Tag your creation with ’3D Artist mag’
• Submission deadline is 1 March 2012

Use any tools you like to design – 3ds Max, Blender, Maya, modo, Rhino, SketchUp or ZBrush, for example. The goal is to generate a manifold (watertight) mesh model (STL file) that can be printed on a MakerBot (consider that thin elements like feathers, amll joints, thin clothing etc are difficult to fabricate on a MakerBot). See a tutorial here from 3D Artist Mag on how to make a model for 3D printing.

Your character design can be made up of one or multiple parts, but must be smaller than 100 x 100 x 120mm when assembled. Different parts can be made in a variety of colors.

The ‘MakerBot-ability’ of your model will be an important factor in the judging – the challenge is to be innovative within a small footprint!

We’ve liked 3dTin for awhile now; it was a clever, useful app since it debuted.  But, unlike many clever, useful projects, this one has actually had its development continue, and it’s seen some major improvements.  In fact, there are a couple of big ones you should know about: first, they added cylinders!  And now, they’ve added the entire library of primitive templates that you see above.

3dTin is probably the most accessible way to get into 3d modeling, so it’s really great to see it becoming a more powerful and full-featured tool.  Most of the designs are still a bit, well, low-rez, but it’s clear that it’s much more than a one-hit-wonder.  If you like what you’re seeing with 3dTin (and Cadmium, a 3d modeling library for Python) you can support them by purchasing the premium app on the Chrome store, or just logging on and making cool models!

Tinkercad, a powerful online solid modeling CAD application, has just introduced a new feature that I have a feeling will be very popular among MakerBot Operators.

Secretly (or not so secretly?) the developers are veteran hardcore games developers taking a stab at a new field. They draw from their past UI/interactive design experience to create a focused tool that is designed from the ground up to be as intuitive a modeler as most people need for 3D printing models.

I was at first dubious about a WebGL-based solid modeler, as much as I love 3dtin, but I became converted while team-teaching a “Prototyping on a MakerBot” course for the teen after-school program at Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum. Students picked up Tinkercad quickly, and made intricate, capable work during the first session, projects that I was able to print for them with little or no STL repair!

A number of Thingiverse participants have been using this tool (Including me)  – and the Tinkercad “Export to Thingiverse” button makes it easy for them to share their design and print files they have created with the software here.

Well, the Tinkercad developers didn’t leave the games part of their past experience out of the equation — they have started rolling games elements into Tinkercad as a tutorial series designed to help user dive into using their tool quickly and easily. I have taken a couple of them and enjoyed them — and I love the beautiful Thing-O-Matic-printed buttons that is featured in their current Quest set. (They hope to start adding new quests fairly regularly, as these quests generate the feedback they need to tune this element of Tinkercad. Make sure to dive in now and send feedback to help them move forward with the Quests project!)

So create or login to your Tinkercad account — and discover the new Quests tab on the top bar. Happy questing!