| With any learning experience, you learn along the way. 3D printing is always a learning journey between what is designed and what can be successfully printed. Throughout this project, I was constantly evaluating what students were understanding about the software and how it would translate into a final 3D design. For some students it is a simple transition from the virtual 3D world into the physical print while for others there is a definite learning curve. | |
As we played with Makers Empire and learned how to manipulate shapes through the snowman challenge and other challenges, I realized that too many of the students really couldn't see what they were creating in the physical environment which is why we used model magic and took a learning session to physically create a candle holder. It was also important that students not accept their first physical design as I planned to require multiple designs in Makers Empire before students would select their final design.
| | Working with exact dimensions really created a challenge when designers moved beyond the circle shape in their designs. The candle holders needed to have a minimum diameter of 42mm and a height of 60mm. As final designs are being printed, designers failed to take into account what that would mean when using a star or heart base. Also thin walls with holes and overhangs resulted in several failed prints. Bigger holes also created challenges for the printer. |
| To make each print unique, I am using a rainbow gradient filament so not only is each design unique in shape but also in color. Valuable learning pieces that needed to take place still resulted in final pieces that may not all work for candle holders but are beautiful in their design.
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