Thinking about Design Requirements

In this book, we will walk through four custom 3D printing projects in Blender. First, we will use Bezier curves to make a custom shape, the silhouette of a child, for a profile pendant. Our second project, a coordinate bracelet, illustrates building with standard shapes and how text can be used to personalize models. You'll get more acquainted with mesh modeling tools and Boolean intersections in our third project, creating a textured house figurine. Finally, you'll learn how Blender can be used for organic shapes as you work on modeling a human hand.

Before you build a house, before you sew a quilt, the process begins with a plan. The same is true with 3D modeling and 3D printing. When you model with your design requirements in mind, every measurement, every angle, every click of the mouse, all work toward your end goal. This chapter will cover some key questions to reflect on before you begin to model:

• What type of printing process will be used to make your design?
• How does that process impact design elements such overhangs, detailing, and wall thicknesses?
• How big do you want the final piece to be?