How to Make (Almost) Anything

Shruthi Lakshmi Saravanan

3d Printing & Scanning

This week's assignment was to design and 3d printn an object using Makerbot. Since my final project could involve character animation, I thought it would be a good idea to try modelling and rigging this week. I choose Maya as I was familiar with the sofware.

  • Software Maya
  • Machine Makerbot
  • Material ABS
  • Hours 7
Project 01a
My test project was to print out a bunny rabbit. The modelling for rigging in Maya is always done with the characters arms outstretched. But this poses a problem while 3d printing. First, its not possible to print the model standing up. Second, even if its going to be printed lying down, I still had to generate support structures to hold the model in place. Since the model itsef was too tiny, the support structures became stronger than the model and could not be taken out.
Project 01b
Printing in progress.
Project 01c
Project 01c
Project 01c
Close-up of the support structures.
Project 01c
Rough look of the printed out model.
Project 01c
Even though I could not entirely remove all the supprt strcutures, it looks pretty decent. I would have liked to experiment more with the Makerbot though. Hopefully next time.