3D modeling and Printing
Before learning by doing 3D printing and modeling assignments, I did not practice doing any 3d modeling activities. I watched a few YouTube videos when I was younger because I was interested in the topic. I was particularly interested in 3D printing pens, oriented toward kids and encouraging people to create stuff with melted plastic. However, this could have provided more information on what 3d printing entailed. My experience during this assignment was that it was confusing how to actually do the 3D modeling. It was very confusing to do the modeling because even though it was apparent due to the video and the worksheet that we were given the steps to take, a few problems came up when doing the model that neither told you how to solve. I finally solved the problem by asking around the class when someone else had figured out how to do it by exploring the fusion program. Without this person’s help, I don’t think I could have figured out how to successfully create the Lego brick within the allotted class time. Other than this problem, I found constructing the model interesting and fun as we got to see an object we were very familiar with being made from scratch. The actual printing that we got to watch happen was also interesting as the process was much different from what I would have expected. Throughout this learning process, by doing assignments, I learned various things. I had previously thought that 3d printing would usually take time. I was surprised to actually find out that it was decently fast. The actual machine seemed to move at similar speeds to the laser engraver. I also learned that you could copy your design when sending it to the printer to make multiple of it. That makes things extremely convenient, but I didn’t expect that to be something you could do. I also learned that there are multiple types of printing materials, and depending on which one you use, you have to change the plate you print on, like changing what kind of paper you print on for standard printers. However, the most valuable thing I learned was how to use the fusion software and the different facets of that program.