3D Graphics For FabLabs And Makerspaces

3D Graphics Applications Are More Affordable Than Ever, Some Are Free…

3d graphics modelling animation and computer aided design have come a long way, check this really interesting vintage documentary from 1989! At the time it had a wow factor and in some ways it still does, do you agree? In the late 90’s while at art college, I started using the 3d modelling/animation software 3ds Max. In those days it was a lot more basic and took a toll on the computers of the time, crashes and bugs occurred quite often. It was also too expensive for most 3d enthusiasts. Nowadays, most 3d packages are affordable due to monthly subscriptions. There are even cheap/free applications out there for example Blender. As someone who has worked on many commercial 3d projects and taught people both 3ds Max and Blender. I can tell you despite some flaws, Blender is awesome as it is free and capable of great things. In this post I will tell you about how I have used 3d graphics for Fablabs and Makerspaces in my creative projects and how this can help you to use them too. Remember to check out the 3d resource list at the bottom of this post for 3d graphics tools and also some videos too…

Maker Technologies At Your Local Fablab / Makerspace Will Catapult Your 3d Graphics Into The Real World…

As well as 3d graphics applications becoming more affordable now, so is the digital fabrication of your 3d models with Maker technologies. Your local FabLab and Makerspace currently allow you to use these tools at an affordable price without having to buy them yourself. As soon as I became aware of 3d printing and maker technologies, a light switched on in my head and I knew that this is what I was waiting for. As I have always made traditional drawings and sculpture,  just making things on a flat screen for a flat screen was not fulfilling enough for me. I always had the urge to create something you can hold in my own hand, something real!

I can now fuse the traditional and digital together in my art “tradigital”. We are bombarded with 2d images all the time, movies, web pages adverts and countless other media streams. I believe people have a yearning things they can touch and pick up and interact with using their hands. This time technology will help not hinder this trend. As well as 3d printing, you can do many more things with your 3d graphics for your maker projects…

3D Graphics For Your Creative Maker Projects, Quick And Easy…

3d maker technologies

One of the biggest problems for entry users of 3d applications is that they have a steep learning curve. Many people who I tutor before coming to me, will use an application once and not use it again due to “getting stuck”. If you are new to 3d graphics, I would suggest looking at Tinkercad, it really is simple and is a great introduction to both CAD and 3d modelling software. Learning 3d graphics is a step by step process expansion process. It is important to learn adequately for your maker projects as I think 3d graphics is one of the most important tools out there for makers. Mind you, I am biased! If you know how to 3d model, then you can get things fabricated quickly using 3d printers/cncs/laser cutters, visualise your prototype designs etc. You can then use this in your creative projects from artwork, photo illustration, design, films props etc.

If you prefer to use modelling/animation software like 3ds Max, blender etc or you prefer solutions relating more to computer aided design such as Autodesk 360 etc read on. I’m going to briefly tell you about some of my own experiences so far from my art projects using 3d graphics maker technologies. The aim is that my experiences can help you with your own creative maker projects…

Examples Of Using 3d Graphics For My Own Maker Projects…

Ant / Bee print for 3d

3d Tools used – 3dsMax, Cura, Ultimaker Printer (for plastic 3d print), Shapeways (for metal 3d print)

With this project, I used 3dsMax to model a Honeybee and a RedFireAnt. To get the models as accurate as possible, I used as many google image search photos as possible as references. My work often refers to ant and bee motifs as a nod towards collective communities in the same way that humans could resemble these types of lifeforms if for example we see a city from far above in space, an electric and neon ant’s nest! In my first FabLab art residency at EchoFab Montreal, I printed both models out using an Ultimaker type plastic layer 3d printer. This required some careful set-up to make sure that the models would print properly. Sending the models to Shapeways was easier, any potential errors were detected and fixed in an application on the Shapeways site after uploading. Now I have both a product I can sell and also include in most materials in any future 3d installation artwork.

The Buckminster Fuller “Dymaxion” Atlas, Installed At FabLab London

3d Tools Used – 3ds Max, Blender, Ultimaker 3d Printers

I made this 4.5 metre wide installation based on Buckminster Fuller’s Dymaxion map for the FabLab London right in the centre of the City Of London. Check out my  featured Instructables for a full tutorial. The use of 3d graphics in this project was quite extensive although a lot of it wasn’t really 3d, more 2.5d relying on flat laser cut world continents. Firstly, I used 3ds Max to make a very rough visualisation of how the map would look on the wall. The managers Ande and Tony obviously wanted to some indication of how it would look before I started drilling into their wall. They were initially a bit unsure about having such a weird map layout. However, I managed to convince them due to the fact that it just looks damn cool and also the fact that Buckminster Fuller’s ideas can be seen in a new light with the modern day maker movement, see this older blog post. I also used 3ds Max to work out the measurements of the back lattice, again see Instructables for more details. I also had to create connectors to join the wooden struts on the back wall and also magnet holders. The connectors were made in 3ds Max and the magnet holders were made in Blender as one of the managers Ande did that as time was running out. This proves that it is not the software you use, but what you make! As a final fun element, I made these flying “Bucky” Cars, from a blurry reference photo of his original sketch design of these. Again check Instructables for details of this. I would not have been able to make this wall atlas installation if it wasn’t for my knowledge of 3d graphics software and 3d printing.

Dymaxion Atlas

Artwork In Progress

3d Tools Used – 3dsMax, Ultimaker 3d Printers, lasercutter, 123dMake

This work is in development. At the moment I have completed the small models to get 3d printed. There will be three separate artworks for this. Im also going to make some 3d geometric shapes using 123dMake as well. Watch this space, I will add more details here when the project is completed in December 2015. Sign up to my newsletter at the end of this page to get notice of this.

retro-futuristic characters

What You Can Do Now, Ideas To Inspire You…

I believe in learning by doing so choose a program of your choice and learn it by doing projects such as those below. Don’t worry too much about your choice, I often say that the concepts are often the same as discussed in this video, as long as you get started using something…

1. Make a small model of anything that interests you in 3ds Max, Blender or the 3d software of your choice. It can be from your own sketch or images from a google sketch whatever. Print it out in 3d. Make sure you adhere to 3d printing principles, see video.
2. Use 123d Make and make something big in cardboard from a simple 3d model you have made, if you have access to a laser cutter, be careful if you are not a member of a FabLab, Makerspace, this can be pricey for the laser-cutting time, so join one today!
3. If you prefer to use CAD rather than animation, use tinkercad or a CAD application of your choice make a mechanical 3d printed part with careful measurements that will move rotate, snap together etc. 
4. Going further, use a 3d graphic on screen game engine and make a real life printed model of it. Work out how to make both the real lide model and CGI model react to each others movements through an Arduino or similar device (this is a really difficult task so don’t worry if you cannot do it 🙂 )

We can be certain that the near future will see the continued evolution of 3d modelling/animatio software and also CAD type software. So now is a great time to get more into 3d graphics and use it for your creative maker projects such as 3d printing etc. It will be a very useful tool in the years to come!

3d Graphics Tools Resource List For Your Creative / Makerspace Projects…

Here are only some, there are many other 3d apps out there, apologies if you are offended and I haven’t included your favourite one! If you feel there is one that particularly should be mentioned, you are welcome to put a link to it in the comments, I would love to hear from you.

From my experiences this is what I have found people in FabLabs/Makerspaces to be using and also myself…

Redo links to make sure not penalised-

Tinkercad – A quick way to make simple 3d models for 3d printing. Great step by step tutorials. I would recommend this for people new to 3d or children.

Sketchup – Sketchup is good for buildings etc and also import terrain from Google earth for 3d prints of geographic location projects.

Blender – the open source programme and is a complete modelling/animation package. Learn this if you want to work on your own independent maker projects without the need to pay money for software licenses.

Inkscape – Make vectors in this app. It is a good way to edit 123d Make plans to make sure they will cut on the laser-cutter.

123DMake – use this this to make shapes for laser-cutter. link.

123DCatch -capture objects with your camera, I usually use these as proxy meshes. ie I make something in clay
and capture it then make a new model using the imported mesh as a reference

Cura – Optimise your objects for 3d printing on Ultimakers and include G-Code (the information the printer needs as well as the 3d mesh)

Modo – Ive not used this myself but I have seen tutorials and great.

Rhino – Ive only used the minimally but a great tool halfway between 3d animation/modelling and CAD , good for artists who need to make real world measurements

Autodesk 360 – A great cloud based CAD modelling application. Free if you register as a “startup” on the login page.

Remember to check out these videos, they give you extra information about this post –

I hope you have found this post useful. Feel free to contact me if you have any suggestions, comments or questions. You can also request a free 15 minute Skype consultation with me. No pressure, I will help you out and if you want more paid lessons then great, if not I am glad to help anyway!

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