What Are the Best Tips for Open Source 3D Modeling?

Most of the modeling methods for 3D printers are produced using CAD software. In computer-aided design, AutoCAD is a relatively powerful software with a wide range of applications. It can be used for general architectural, mechanical, and electronic drawing. Design is competent, and most engineering designers need to master it.

3D printing modeling

At present, the file format used for 3D printing is mostly STL files. STL files are a file format that uses triangles to represent entities. This format was defined by those who first invented 3D printing technology. Now it has gradually become the field of image processing. Default industry standard. Some people in the world are now promoting a 3D printed file that sees the AMF format, mainly adding information about the texture, color, and material of the model. There may be technical progress in the future. After color printing has become mainstream, this file format Will slowly replace STL. But for now, STL is a well-deserved mainstream file format.

CAD design is mainly for applications such as mechanical parts that require parametric modeling design. General 3D CAD software can do the job, including Solidworks, Pro-E, Catia, etc. Also includes relatively simple and easy to get started, such as Google's Sketchup. In addition, there is a modeling and design software suitable for people who can program: OpenScad, which is an open source software, which uses code editing to generate models directly. However, it is not as universal as graphical modeling software (Solidworks, UG, etc.). Of course, the advantage is that the generated scad file is small, the code can be called by other applications, and a component library can be built, which is more convenient to use ^[1] .

CG modeling mainly includes 3D max, Rhino, Blender, Zbrush, Maya, etc. Among them, Blender is an open source modeling software. The model designed by the software needs to be converted to a printable STL file, but there may be some structural errors that need to be optimized, and repaired with software such as Meshlab, Meshmixer, netfab. At the same time, there are many models that can be downloaded directly on the Internet, which can save costs and improve work efficiency. Taking Yixuan Network as an example, a more comprehensive model can be downloaded for free.

Portrait DIY applications mainly include 123Dcatch, which can be used to synthesize a printable 3D model with about 20 photos from different angles. With Kinect and Reconstructme software, you can scan directly to get portraits, which takes about 10 minutes to scan ^[1] .