How to design 3D printables?

Home & Garden Discussion and Questions
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I’d really love to surprise my friend with a vintage looking 3D printed head/hat stand like this one.

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She sells antiques & is a great photographer, but she can only photograph what she’s got for props. This image is AI generated which is a bummer for her, as a real photographer.
How does one design such a thing to be printed? Is it too ambitious for a novice to try?

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I’m getting a 3D printer for my birthday so I’ve been looking at different videos and things.

This might be helpful? Blender is an open source software for 3D designing for 3D printers. I haven’t actually designed anything or printed anything yet. Where are you looking for your models? I’m surprised there isn’t one made already

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I’m not looking anywhere, I have zero experience :flushed_face:
Once, years ago, I printed a replacement knob for the dryer at a library maker space. So, next to zero :upside_down_face:

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I don’t know a lot about this, but I do know that lots of designers sell files for lots of things for 3D printing on places like Etsy, so you may be able to find something already designed.

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Not to distract from the mission, but I just peeked in at ebay and there’s a slew of such hat stands from classy to deranged in case you need one on a shorter deadline than the printing mission provides.

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I saw them! From $80-900. Ordering to Canada is bonkers right now though :confused:

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:sob: that sucks

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https://makerworld.com/models/1306344?appSharePlatform=copy

This is the closest I could fine. I think it could work potentially if you wanted to paint on the flapper details?

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I do most of my 3D modeling in Fusion 360 (there’s a free version). Blender would work, but I don’t like the interface as much. Sketchup would also work - honestly there are a lot of options. Or if you’re just starting, tinkercad.com is a really good place to get your feet wet.

All that being said, I wouldn’t recommend modeling a human face as a first project. Kind of like you wouldn’t sit down with your first piece of clay and start with a human face, probably more like a pinch pot.

So I see 3 other good options.

  1. Use an existing file. There are some free downloads like on thingiverse (search human head), or makerworld as referenced above, or printables, etc. Plus many more where you can buy print files.

  2. Make a file from a real head. There are some decent scanner apps for your phone that will help you turn photos into a 3d file to print.

For options 1 & 2 you’ll then need a printer big enough for a head, which not all are. Check your print volume. For most people, you’ll also be printing in a single color and will need to paint/finish for the look above.

  1. Behead a mannequin. This is probably the way I’d go. I’d thrift hunt for a damaged mannequin and take the head to repaint.

Cool project!

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