3D Printing Action Heroes
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The document outlines a workshop on 3D printing action heroes, covering topics from creating base models to adding electronics for interactivity. It includes guidance on using Meshmixer for sculpting, preparing models for printing, and the scaling and customization of 3D models. Additionally, it provides resources for model sourcing, tools for analysis and preparation, and steps for exporting models for 3D printing.
3D Printing Action Heroes
- 1. 3D Printing Action Heroes Anna Gerber Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 2. Outline • Previously: 3D Sculpting Action Heroes – Generating base models – Slicing into parts & adding joints – Customizing via 3D sculpting tools • Today: 3D Printing Action Heroes – Recap meshmixer & finish models – Preparing parts for 3D printing – 3D printing – Cleaning up 3D printed parts • Adding electronics to 3D printed Action Heroes – April 24th – Make them interactive – Electronics & coding Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 3. Outline • Decide on which models you want to use – Models you created yourself – Adapt models from other sources • Use Meshmixer to: – Scale models to ~18cm – Add joints, magnet mounts and other structural features – Add mount points for electronics components – Customize appearance with 3D scuplting tools • Prepare models for printing & export to STL • Orient models for printing • How to use the 3D printers • How to clean up printed parts Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 4. Sources for models • Character mesh generators • Thingiverse – http://www.thingiverse.com/ – Use Creative Commons licensed models • Model Resource – From games, for personal use only – http://www.models-resource.com/ • Create a model of someone's head – Use 123DCatch app to create model from photos • http://www.123dapp.com/catch – Use a Kinect & Microsoft's 3D Scan app • (Windows only) • http://microsoft.com/3d Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 5. Character Mesh Generators • Use character mesh generators to save time: • Make Human – Free & Open Source – http://www.makehuman.org/ – License of generated characters: CC0 • Mixamo Fuse (Now owned by Adobe) – https://www.mixamo.com/fuse – Free preview requires Adobe account – Royalty free use of generated models allowed for 3D prints but you cannot sell the generated models directly • AutoDesk Character Generator – http://area.autodesk.com/products/charactergenerator – Free & Paid Subscription service – Unrestricted usage of generated models Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 6. MakeHuman Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 7. Fuse Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 8. AutoDesk Character Generator Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 9. Export the character model • Export model as OBJ format model • AutoDesk Character Generator exports FBX – convert these to OBJ using AutoDesk FBX Converter or other 3D software • Online converter: – http://www.greentoken.de/onlineconv/ • We're using AutoDesk Meshmixer for 3D Sculpting: – http://www.meshmixer.com/ – Free software for Windows, Mac or Linux • Alternative sculpting programs include Sculptris & Z- Brush Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 10. Scales You'll need to scale your model to Action Hero size. Popular scales: • 1:4 (18") common for collector dolls • 1:6 (12") i.e. original G.I. Joe scale • 1:10 (7") currently the most popular size • 1:12 (5 -6") 90s Action Toys • 1:18 (4") kids action figures e.g. Star Wars We'll use 1:10 scale i.e. around 15 – 18 cm tall Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 11. Import OBJ model to Meshmixer Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 12. Scale Model in Meshmixer • Adjust scale via Edit > Transform so that the model is around 15 – 18 cm tall • Red = X • Green = Y • Blue = Z Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 13. Ball Joints • We're using a ball joint system: – Ball joints fit into sockets – Parts held together with elastic • Alternative joint systems include: – Print-in-place ball joints – Snap together joints e.g. see Open Source Action Figure by Jason Welsh http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:116571 – Scale by 0.4 if you are using these parts Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 14. Slice model into parts • Use the Plane cut tool to separate limbs • Use Select brush then Edit > Separate for more control Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 15. Add balls joints to parts Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes Add ball, use Transform tool to scale to appropriate size and move into position
- 16. Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes Combine & Make solid, then use sculpting tools to refine model & blend joint onto part
- 17. Customize parts • Use sculpting tools to refine and modify parts Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 18. Joints for elbows & knees • Elbow & knee joints can be created as separate parts if desired, for maximum flexibility Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 19. Torso joint • Slice torso using select tool • Mesh mix cylinder to extend torso base • Hollow out parts • Add strut across inside of torso base for elastic • Add length to neck Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 20. Add sockets to parts Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes Place ball (slightly larger than joint ball), then use boolean diference to subtract
- 21. Hollow out parts Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes Also use boolean difference to Create hollows in parts
- 22. Add holes for elastic Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes Use a cylinder and boolean difference, Use sculpting tools to round edges
- 23. Split head cap from head • Use select brush for precise selection or use slice tool for flat cut Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 24. Hollow out head & eyes & add magnet mounting points Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 25. Add magnet mounts • Round magnets hold head cap on: 3mm x 1mm – Use meshmix tool to add cylinders at least (6mm x 4mm), move into position – Add a 3.5 mm x 1.5mm cylinder and use boolean difference to cut out the hole for the magnet – Make solid, and use sculpting tools to blend into base model Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 26. LED mounts • LEDs are 5mm or 8mm in diameter. You'll have 2 single color and 2 multi-color LEDs to work with – If you want to use LEDs for eyes, meshmix in a sphere and use boolean difference to hollow out space from inside the head – Use sculpting tools to shape outside of eye sockets – You can also use doll eyes, beads or 3D printed eyeballs for eyes Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 27. Add magnet & electronics mounts • Magnets on feet are 4mm x 8mm cylinders • Also add 2mm hole for wires (wires run up the legs from battery holder under feet) • Microcontroller is 18mm x 25mm x 4mm – Make sure you cut out a big enough space inside the torso to fit this • Also leave space for the piezo buzzer (for beeps and sounds) & wires (11mm diameter x 12 mm high) Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 28. Button mounts • You can add pushbuttons to your figure to trigger different behaviour (e.g. change colour of LEDs) – Make space to mount inside head or cut out holes from torso back if you want the buttons to be visible – Our buttons are 6mm x 6mm Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 29. Add insignia • Use meshmix tool to merge insignia on to the figure (e.g. Iron-Man style chest medallion) • Use boolean difference to punch cut-outs or thin out shell of torso to be transparent if you want to mount LEDs inside chest Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 30. ANALYSIS AND PREP Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 31. Meshmixer analysis tools - units Use Analysis > Units / Dimensions tool to check part dimensions Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 32. Meshmixer analysis tools - strength Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes Use Analysis > Strength tool to assess strength of the part – it should be all green
- 33. Meshmixer analysis tools - measure Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes Use Analysis > Measure tool to measure between any points on the model e.g. to confirm that the magnet mounts are big enough
- 34. Meshmixer analysis tools - Inspector Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes Use Analysis > Inspector tool for basic repair of holes
- 35. Orientation Select Analysis > Orientation for automatic orientation Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 36. Fixing problems Models need to be manifold to print (i.e. could exist as objects in the real world). Avoid: – Extra internal faces – Holes in the mesh e.g. faces not properly connected • Remove internal faces: Use Make Solid tool • Holes: Use automatic repair or use select tool to select sides of hole, then use Bridge tool to fill them in • Thin walls: Use select and then Edit > Extrude tool to thicken walls Use NetFabb Basic auto-repair as a final step if your part has problems. They also provide an online repair service: https://netfabb.azurewebsites.net/ Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 37. Overhangs & Support • Overhanging parts will need support so they don't suffer the effects of gravity • The Up! Printers will generate support, or we can manually add it to the model – Select Print – Transform & Move to Platform – Add Supports Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 38. Export to STL Export to STL format for 3D printer via Export button on Print screen, or via File > Export. Then import STL into Up! software Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 39. Next steps • Make a list of all parts required – Prepare printable versions for all parts – Create mirror versions for left/right feet, limbs, hands • Add your models to the USB stick • Next session: – Adding electronics – Soldering – Microcontroller programming – Assembling the figures – Decoration: hair, eyes, costumes – We'll discuss options for painting/finishing 3D printed parts, if you want to paint your figure after the workshop Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
- 40. License • This slide desk was authored by Anna Gerber, April 2016 and may be shared or adapted under a Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike (4.0 CC-BY-SA) license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ Anna Gerber 3D Printing Action Heroes
Editor's Notes
- #2: Intro section: 10 minutes Introductions, housekeeping In this hands-on two hour beginner’s class we’ll:Generate customised 3D human models using MakeHuman Slice up a 3D model and add articulated joints using Meshmixer’s slice and merge tools Use Meshmixer’s 3D sculpting tools to customize 3D parts
- #3: We'll cover how to sculpt the figure It actually takes longer than 2 hours to create a completely custom figure You are welcome to come into the Fab Lab during opening hours to keep working on your models, or you can download the software at home
- #5: Other alternatives exist for scanning with Mac
- #12: Note how "blocky" the models are – low poly
- #14: Print in place very cool in principle, but difficult to clean up parts / paint etc
- #27: Can leave eyes solid and paint them on if preferred
- #34: Sometimes Make Solid messes up the holes, so check it here and use sculpting tools to enlarge them if necessary