The Fundamentals of 3D Printing

Explore what 3d printing is, also known as additive manufacturing, and how a digital file becomes a physical object printed layer by layer, using only the material needed.

Explore the 3D printing workflow from creating your own digital 3D design to slicing, printer prep, and printing, while addressing common issues from the 3D file, slicing, or printer environment.

Learn what a 3d digital file is and how to create a box with a lid from scratch, considering gravity and STL, OBJ, and three EMF meshes in 3d printing.

Create a 3D digital file with CAD software, scan objects with 3D scanners or photos stitched into models, and download or customize STL files from Thingiverse, Myminifactory, and Prusa printers.

Discover how to create a 3d digital file from scratch by choosing beginner-friendly cad software such as Tinkercad, designing for 3d printing, and exporting in three formats.

Learn to access Tinkercad, set up a personal account, and navigate the 3D workspace using orbit, zoom, and pan with a two-button mouse, preparing you to create and view designs.

Design a hollow box in Tinkercad by combining and subtracting shapes; size it in millimeters, consider tolerances for 3D printing, center and align parts, test fit digitally before exporting.

Export your design as an STL, choosing to save the box and lid separately or as one piece, then prepare for printing in the slicing software on the work plane.

Learn how to prepare your files for 3d printing, or slicing, by setting up and slicing a box in Cura slicer, with optional hands-on steps.

Explore how slicer software converts a digital design into layer-by-layer instructions for 3d printing. Learn how the slicer generates g-code and how its settings affect the final print.

Download Cura from ultimaker.com/software and install it on Mac, Windows, or Linux, accept the license, and start slicing.

Open Cura and go through the setup wizard to select the printer model, nozzle size 0.4 mm, and filament PLA.

Adjust nozzle size and material settings in the slicer, using a 0.4mm nozzle and PLA. Learn to tune default printing and build plate temperatures for a better first layer.

Learn how object orientation, supports, and build plate adhesion affect print success in Cura, including how to identify overhangs, use supports, and choose skirts, brims, or rafts.

Balance print quality and time by adjusting layer height and infill in Cura. Use 0.2 mm as standard, explore 0.1–0.3 mm, and 20% infill with cubic or grid patterns.

Prepare your 3d printer for printing by cleaning the build plate, leveling the bed, and loading filament. Focus on general concepts and bed leveling to ensure a successful print.

Prepare your 3D printer by cleaning and leveling the build plate, loading filament, and checking the nozzle to ensure a clean first layer and a successful print.

Explore the final step of 3D printing by learning how to send gcode to your printer, print your design, and watch the first layer for a successful build.

Send gcode to a 3d printer via usb, sd card, or networked printing. Use cura to save gcode to disk or removable media and explore octoprint setups.

Explore common 3D printing problems beginners face, predict issues from a model, and learn a simple fix to boost the success and functionality of your first prints.

Identify common issues in three-dimensional printing and apply a practical software and hardware workflow to diagnose, hypothesize solutions, and test low-risk fixes from filament to build plate.

Identify common 3d printing issues such as spaghetti prints, filament jams, warping, and poor fit, then fix them by cleaning, releveling, using rafts or brims, and adjusting temperatures.

Practice what you learned by designing and 3D printing projects, embrace mistakes as learning, and use learning coach sessions to grow your CAD skills in Tinkercad, Onshape, or Fusion 360.