We have relaunched our 3D printing service.
Please note that our 3D printing service is only available to members of Oxford University. Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to offer printing services to external organisations, businesses or private individuals.
3D modeling can be overwhelming when you first start out and it can be hard to know where to begin.
Plan your model
Sketching ideas on paper can be a quick and easy way to visualize your 3D model. 3D modelling can be a slow process and you can end up wasting hours if you change your idea halfway through.
Keep it Simple
Keeping your first design simple is a good way to get used to your tools. If you try something overly complex you may be put off all together. You will be surprised how much you can make only by using simple geometry.
Use online repositories
Online repositories hold vast amounts of free 3D models. It is always wourth checking these first in case what you need is already available to download, this can save you a lot of time. Please see our 'Free 3D Models' page.
Check Lynda.com for tutorials, here is one for getting started with TinkerCAD: https://www.lynda.com/Tinkercad-tutorials/Learning-Tinkercad/641564-2.html
Learn how to optimize common design features - such as bridges, overhangs, pins and vertical axis holes - for FDM 3D printing using the following Guide: https://www.hubs.com/knowledge-base/how-design-parts-fdm-3d-printing/
The Guide was created by Hubs in collaboration with Stanford University - Engineering Department.
Watertight
Models for 3D printing must be ‘watertight’ i.e. the mesh does not have missing sections and is continuous. For example deleting faces (geometry) can cause this problem.
Complexity
In a .STL file, the model surface is rendered as a series of polygons. The more detail, the smaller the polygons. BUT the printer can only handle a limited number of polygons.
If you are unsure about the mesh you have, please feel free to email us with any questions: rsl3dprinting@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.
