Hi All, just recently joined the community and started exploring the 3D printing world. Currently operating with Felix 3.0 printer. I was able to make some simple prints using web based solutions. My wife is a baker and in a need of random Cookie Cutters. I’m having a hard time to show her the usefulness of 3D printer I purchased Therefore, I’m looking for HELP in creating .STL files using blender/maya/3dmax software’s. Have no knowledge with these programs, really difficult to start over. Yesterday spent 6 hours just to get started with blender, no luck Could anybody ASSIST/HELP/TEACH/SELL 3D models required by me. I would supply a 2D photo, dimensions needed and would look for ending .STL file. Looking forward to any information or contacts who could help with this matter! Many Thanks in advance! I live in San Jose, CA.
For someone like me having more of an engineers background it was a lot easyer to use software that was initially designed for mechanical CAD. Maybe try your luck with some free CAD tools from the autodesk 123d apps (123d design), designspark mechanical or something like that to see if these tools better suit your way of designing. With blender/maya/3dmax you usually work directly with the surface facets of a 3d model while in CAD solutions you usually work with a solid model that gets represented in facets once you export it into the STL format for printing. The differences are not huge, but it’s a different way of looking at the same stuff that might help you get started…
Hi there! I’m not that experienced in making STL files, but here goes.
For a cookie cutter, the easiest thing I can think of would be:
1) On paper, draw out the sort of cuts you want to make
2) download Autodesk’s 123D Design
3) Using their sketch feature, draw out that shape on the ground plane
4) Use the extrude tool (might be called pull tool) and, well extrude all of it upwards in the z-axis.
5) Then if you have parts which arn’t exactly touching the outside wall of the cookie cutter, make some bars that join these together. (don’t forget to use the union tool)
This should get you a decent STL to try. I’ve only made simple STL files myself using 123D Design, but watching some tutorials has helped quite a bit.
Another thing to mention; If you’ve made a lot of cross bars joining itty bitty pieces, you might want to consider grouping the whole model together, and turning it upside down before exporting the STL. This way, those thick bars will be supported during printing by the bed, as opposed to being joined in mid air as you print. It also means you might be able to get thinner walls on your cookie cutter “blade” edge.
If you send me a 2d drawing, I could give it a shot. But just warning you, I’m pretty new to this stuff too