I am buying this time and bonus it is a little cheaper than last time.
Is 3D software included with this item?
lolā¦ I didnāt know why I wanted one, either, when I got my Tevo Tarantulaā¦ I just knew I wanted it, I have printed almost as many upgrades for it as I have anything else. That and if you are into knick-knacks, a 3d printer is for you. You will have more useless crap laying around than you will ever know what to do with! lol
Just bought one 2 weeks ago (got the 3X version with the glass bed and extra extruder nozzles). It took me a full afternoon to assemble it. Highly recommend watching the many videos on YouTube about how to assemble. Once put together, it works great. I use it mostly to print new upgraded pieces for my board games. A cart that looks like a cart instead of a wooden cube, that kind of thing. Also, thereās tons of stuff on Thingiverse that you can just download and print. New tags for my dog. A set of Slime Rancher slimes for my daughter. Mine cost about fifty bucks more than this deal
To get started, I recommend using tinkercad.com. Itās free, online and easy. Lots of YouTube videos on how to use it.
You can get other 3D software as well, just do a search. Many are free.
You need a slicer to prepare the STL files for printing, and this (like many) 3D printer probably comes with a version of Cura. You can just download the latest version from ultimaker.com for free.
You can also get 3D modeling software for free/online if you are want to work in virtual clay, for example. Do a search.
Finally, check out Thingiverse - LOADS of files to download (the vast majority are free) and when you create something cool, you can upload it!
Iāve been wanting to get a printer for years now, and when I mentioned this deal to my wife, she finally said āitās up to youā instead of a hard ānoā lol. If I were to get one of these, what file types does it accept for the 3D model? I have full access to AutoCAD through work, but I donāt know if I would need to get another program to convert to a file type that AutoCAD canāt export to natively.
You will convert every model to a .gcode file using a slicer like Cura. The printer accepts .gcode files. If your software can output to .stl, you are all set.
A complete set (I think!) of file types that Cura can handle is:
.x3d
.3mf
.obj
.gif
.jpeg/.jpg
.png
.stl
.g
.ufp
Clearly. some of these donāt have a Z component so I donāt know what Cura output looks like for those (.jpg, .png, etc.)
this (any 3D printer) is a ridiculous woot. I cannot think of one useful thing that would come out of one of these, Iāve tried to justify buying one and cannot, just another thing to have, that will only generate another pile of useless plastic bits.
in for one.
Thatās the spirit!
Iām in for 1 as well. Iām finally going to stop having to ask my co-worker to print stuff for me.
Plus time to setup an octopi with my newly retired Pi3 that just got upgraded to a Pi4.
Now time to go find some filament.
Excellent, thanks for the info. AutoCAD can natively export to .stl, so thatād probably be the way to go. Still on the fence about this one, but the idea of making whatever parts or pieces I want is very tempting.
Definitely watch the videos on youtube before starting assembly. There are a couple that go into much better detail about checking alignment, assembly order, etc. that will result in a much better printer right away with less fiddling later on.
For filament I recommend going with hatchbox. Iāve had nothing but great success with it.
One of the interesting things you can print are lithophanes. This is a panel that is printed with varying thicknesses. You shine light through it and the thickness determines how light or dark things appear. Cura and other programs can convert a picture file such as a .jpg into a lithophane. Take a look at the link below for more information.
Well, I got one. Yay!
Why do I want to print little alien guys?
Why wouldnāt you?
cool.as.hell
Not sure if you meant to reply to me or @acraigl, but if you were replying to meā¦
Yeah, Cura is the best (IMHO) slicer out there. As for tinkerCAD, I despise ācloud-basedā software. Call me an old-fashioned, crazy kook (most people call me worse), but I like my software and my data staying on my computer. When I first got my printer, I had been using SketchUp for almost a decade, so I was well versed in that. Since then, though, I have been learning / teaching myself FreeCAD and, to a lesser extent, Blender.
As for thingiverseā¦ been there, done that If you (or anyone else) wants to check out some really awesome models, have a look at my page - About rebeltaz - Thingiverse
For starters, have you ever built model kits? Collected knick knacks/stamps/baseball cards? All examples of āuselessā hobbies. Also, all examples of fun.
Yes, 3d printers can be, and are, used for useless knick knacks, but thatās what hobbies are. Aside from that, 3d printers can be used to solve real world problems. I have designed and printed many accessories for my pool; hummingbird feeders; tools and replacement parts for use in my shopā¦ a whole litany of functional models.
A friend just came in and asked me today if I could make him a part for his outboard engine that is discontinued.
No, 3d printers arenāt for everyone, but they do have their uses - both frivolous fun and functional designs.