Tutorials

How to Create Incredibly Complex Textured Shapes for 3D Printing, Using Bump Mapping

37 5 Expert
This tutorial covers how to use 2D images to create actual 3D depth and physical textures on your CAD parts and then 3D print them. Mainly we use Rhino to do the displacement-mapping, but Photoshop could be used as well. Files were then printed in full color on a Stratasys J750.

How to 3D Print Textured Objects Inside Clear Plastic Blocks

58 9 Expert
This walkthrough explains how to print fully textured CAD files encased inside transparent blocks, to help support complex parts, show vistas you never thought possible, or just increase the usability of your full-color models!

Adding Textures to 3D models; Texture, Bump, and Displacement Mapping: How to Make Photo-realistic Models

9 0 Beginner
In our previous tutorials, we discussed applying colour to 3D printed models. But the Stratasys J750™ and J735™ also have more advanced capabilities, including the ability to create photorealistic lifelike product models incorporating company logos, detailed text, and graphic elements. It can also produce models with surface finishes that mimic various materials, such as leather and wood. This tutorial will explain the theory behind how these effects are applied. In future tutorials we will investigate how to quickly use these tools to achieve fantastic realistic parts.

How to 3D Print in Full Color (Part 1)

32 7 Beginner
This is a series of tutorials to help printer operators who are NOT graphic artists get the absolute most out of their multi-color, multi-material 3D printers, like the Stratasys J750. We will cover what types of files multi-color printers can accept and how to manipulate colors in Photoshop, Rhino, etc, to get the full gradient texture effects that most color printer users want.

Printing Full-Color FEA Results on 3D Printers

46 7 Beginner
Ever wanted to see, feel, and handle your FEA results in the best way to share them with colleagues and students? This tutorial goes through the steps how to use SOLIDWORKS Simulation and GrabCAD Print to print full-color FEA results on polyjet color printers such as the J750. It's a lot easier than you think!

How to 3D Print from Adobe Photoshop

16 0 Intermediate
Every sculpture, product, installation and building (successful and unsuccessful) starts with an idea. When it takes physical form, the designer gets valuable aesthetic and practical feedback. Here are some tips on when and how 3D printing can feed this process.

How to 3D Print in Full Color (Part 3): Clear + Texture Together

24 5 Expert
This is the third in a series of tutorials to help printer operators who are NOT graphic artists get the absolute most out of their multi-color, multi-material 3D printers, like the Stratasys J750. We will cover how to create models with semi-transparent textures wrapped around curved, transparent bodies (taking advantage of a new slicer from Stratasys), and how to fix UV-mapping problems when wrapping 2D textures around 3D bodies goes wrong.

Matte or Glossy? Which Finish to Use for Your 3D Prints and When.

9 0 Beginner
Matte or Glossy? That is the question. PolyJet users often ask themselves whether they should print a part with a matte finish or a glossy finish. And not without reason. The type of finish can totally alter the look, feel, color, and even strength and durability of two otherwise identical parts. Each option has its own benefits and implications that need to be considered. In this tutorial we will give an overview of matte and glossy, compare the pros and cons of each, and offer examples that clearly show what each finish type has to contribute. Finally, we will wrap up with a quick breakdown of when to use what.

What 3D printing a coronavirus taught me about DFAM and rapid prototyping

20 6 Beginner
A project to visualize the novel coronavirus for a local medical conference. But over the course of our work, we re-learned some important 3D printing principles that EVERYONE can use!

How to 3D Print Full-Color, Fully-Textured DISPLACEMENT Mapped Parts Using Photoshop!

15 0 Intermediate
This tutorial covers a little-known feature in Photoshop you can use (today) to quickly create incredibly complex displacement-mapped parts for your 3D printer in full color!

How to go from GPS Data to Full Colour 3D Model

26 5 Expert
Got a large dataset you want to visualize in 3D? Let's take a look at the steps involved from going from just a spreadsheet to full colour 3D.

3D Printing Software: Getting Started With GrabCAD Print

9 0 Beginner
GrabCAD Print is an intuitive 3D printing tool for professionals that works across Stratasys printers. With the cloud-enabled software, users can print, schedule, report on printer utilization and material usage, and monitor print jobs from anywhere. Here's how to easily get started using GrabCAD Print.

How to 3D Print Complex, Semi-Random Lattice Structures, Easily

13 3 Expert
We show how to use Grasshopper and Rhino to automatically generate complex Voronoi structures ready for 3D printing.

Finishing Options for FDM and PolyJet 3D Printed Parts

22 1 Beginner
Finishing or secondary operations encompasses a broad range of processes that change a manufactured part’s properties. Engineers can employ finishing simply to improve part’s appearance and reshape it to meet certain dimensions, or use it to enhance functionality, such as increasing strength, chemical resistance, electrical conductivity and more. Secondary operations basically turn raw parts into finished goods and this isn’t limited to traditional manufactured parts. 3D printed parts can also be enhanced with secondary operations, but much like designing for additive manufacturing, different processes and best practices apply. Throughout the product design and manufacturing process, engineers should also be thinking about how 3D printed parts can be finished. Determining the appropriate finishing operations depends on the additive process, material and geometry as well as the desired aesthetics and functionality. This guide explains the primary finishing operations additive manufacturing service providers implement for FDM and PolyJet 3D printing technologies, grouped by possible finishing objectives, and compatible materials and applicable design considerations.

How to 3D Print More Realistic Consumer Product Prototypes

22 3 Intermediate
We discuss the 4 levels of 3D printed prototype realism all Industrial Designers should know about, and show you step-by-step how to reach each one!