The #1 Hack To Make Your 3D Print Cheaper
Cutting down costs for 3D prints is the number one concern for many customers. In order to achieve this, we need to understand how costs for 3D prints are calculated. Probably the most important variable is the amount of material that is needed for printing your object. So all we need to do is to make sure to use as little material as possible. Down-sizing the object? Nope, hollowing it out like a pro!
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How to Paint Polyamide 3D Prints: Master Artist Shares His Knowledge
Master 3D Artist Danny van Ryswyk sat down with us for a tutorial about his world-class sculpting and painting techniques. In this article you will learn how to prepare and hand-paint your polyamide (nylon plastic) 3D prints like a pro!
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Preparing Files For 3D Printing: File-Fixing Terminology Explanation And Checklist
Creating a model for 3D printing can be somewhat intimidating at first. In this blog post, we will cover some essential tips designers should keep in mind to get a stunning 3D print.
Sticking to this checklist will make sure that your 3D model is perfectly prepared to be 3D printed. (more…)
Top Four 3D Printing Materials For Jewelry Designers: Gold, Silver, Brass, Bronze
The most common misconception about 3D-printed jewelry is that it is printed in metallic plastic. This is not the case: it is produced as a real, solid piece of jewelry made out of the precious metal of your choice.
In this blog post, we will have a closer look at the four best and most popular materials for jewelry designers. (more…)
How to Improve Your Creative Business with 3D Printing
If you are a designer, jeweler, or creative mind starting your own company, you’ll probably have heard about 3D printing. You might even have thought about introducing it to your company or creative project. However, you may not know where to start or how it can improve your business.
If that is the case, we have some good news for you: it’s easier than you think and well worth your while! (more…)
How To Get Your First 3D Model: 3D File Creation For Beginners
A 3D model is the virtual input that a 3D printer needs to print an object. In this blog post, we will explain what a 3D model is and how you can get your very own 3D file by downloading it, 3D scanning an object, hiring a 3D designer, or designing it with 3D modeling software.
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The International Space Station Welcomes The Moon Gallery Art Collection Onboard, Including A Miniature 3D-Printed Cube
Although the Moon is around 238,855 miles (or 384,400 km away), humanity has always been fascinated by it. From ancient lunar calendars to the Moon landing in 1969 to low and high tides affecting shorelines at this very moment, Earth’s natural satellite is entwined in our past and present. But how will it shape our future? Discover how the Moon Gallery — including a 3D-printed cube — aims to teach us about the unique conditions in space for future generations and extend humankind’s cultural reach into this final frontier.
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To See A Song: Materialise Designers Turn Abstract Idea Into Personalized Car Speaker Grill Design
This project began with an idea that was quite basic: giving automotive brands a way to offer personalization in luxury cars. From there, the Design and Engineering team of our parent company, Materialise, tapped deep into the design portion of their role, creating a concept that would enable consumers to make a car truly their own. A design that would allow drivers to not only listen to their favorite song while driving down the highway but to see it as well.
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3D Printing Technologies: Laser Sintering
Contrary to popular belief, there’s not a one-size-fits-all approach to 3D printing. Although we offer 17 different materials and over 90 possible color and finish combinations, it takes us several different technologies to get the job done. In general, 3D printing technologies can be split up into two groups: direct and indirect 3D printing. The main difference lies in the fact that the design is made from 3D printing (direct) or 3D printing was used in the process of creating your model (indirect). In this article, we’ll dive into laser sintering, by far one of the most popular 3D printing technologies, and an example of a direct 3D printing technique. (more…)
“3D Printing Is A Revolution”: A Talk With Artist Koen Van Daele
Long-time i.materialise user Koenraad Van Daele combines a classical background with modern techniques, creating some truly inspiring designs. In this user spotlight, we talk to him about the inspiration and techniques behind his work and why 3D printing is so important to him.
When Koen began his first project with i.materialise in 2008, it marked a significant shift in his journey through the art world. Classically trained as a marble sculptor from the age of 18, including two years spent in Carrara, Italy — the center of the stone sculpture industry — Koen now mainly focuses his attention on vector art and 3D modeling. But what inspired the shift?
“I bought my first computer in the 90s and started using graphic programs,” he tells us. “I realized that I had a talent for drawing with software. When you work as a web designer or system engineer like I did, it’s very easy to go from one platform to another, and in between, start designing for 3D.”
The perks of 3D printing
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