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Mouse over the arm/leg/chainsaw and make sure that the cylinder is centralized on the end of the arm, with enough space on the arm to make it a hole in the arm, and not just take a bite out of the side. Create the cylinder and then you can then drop it to the platform using the 'd' key. Mousing around from above, you'll find that it wants to snap to the middle. It doesn't matter how much taller, just so that it goes all the way through.Ĭentering the cylinder is easiest if you create it on top of the larger cylinder. The cylinder should be taller than the total size of your monster.
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I like using wire or 1.75mm filament (I'll show you how to make easy pins from 3D printing filament in another step), and 1.3mm radius is a good size for that. The radius of this will vary based on what material you use for the axle. You'll also want to make a thin cylinder to serve as the axle hole for your arm/leg/severed-head. Move the arm so that the spot where you want the hole is aligned pretty close to the center of the new cylinder. The diameter of the cylinder should be about three times larger than the widest part of the end of your arm/leg/whatnot so that it has room to turn and can still be far enough from the edge. This will be the shape you use to cut out the opening where the moving parts will attach. Perhaps larger or smaller would serve your monster better.Ĭreate a cylinder a couple millimeters taller than your arm/legs. There should be at least 3 or 4mm above and below the arm/leg, so 6-8mm shorter. You can move them next to the body shape to check the size. The articulated body parts will be separate shapes and need to be just a bit shorter than the body. I've detailed some body joints in a previous Instructable, the hinge joint we're using here for the limbs allows them to move along just one plane, and is super simple. Once you've got your vector drawing how you want it, export it as an SVG file (the arms/legs/tentacles can be saved in the same file) and pop over to 123D Design. The more complicated the shape, the more the software is likely to get bogged down. You can also use Edit > Path > Simplify to give your sketch even fewer points. It will make your life easier if you simplify your vector sketch to single lines and get rid of any extras. If you want to make your creature articulated (arms and legs that move), you'll need to separate them from the body. You can use a pen tool to trace the lines, or rebuild it with shapes, OR, if you're using Illustrator like I did, you can use Live Trace, which can be quicker and easier. Once you have it on the computer, import it into your vector software. If you've done your drawing on a computer (especially if you've done it in a vector graphics editor), you're a step ahead of the game. You can use a regular scanner, a clear digital photograph, or a scanning app for your mobile device such as TinyScan. Please enable JavaScript if you would like to comment on this blog.Assuming you've drawn your creature by hand, you'll want to scan it. Where do I get more Autodesk 123D Free Apps? –> View the entire comment thread. Where do I get more Autodesk 123D Free Apps? –> Introducing the Autodesk 3D Print Utility
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The Autodesk 3D Print Utility is compatible with all MakerBot Replicators, the Objet Connex 500 and Alaris 30, or OBJ and STL file export.įor more info on the Autodesk 3D Print Utility check out the 123D Team’s blog post: It auto-magically adds support material so you to print more complex objects with overhangs like the Delicate Arch model of mine. In addition to the healing, the 3D Print Utility also allows you to change options like thicken thin regions or hollow the 3D print. You can print from within some of the free 123D Apps, or use the stand alone 3D Print Utility to open a STL or OBJ and print them. The 3D Print Utility optimizes the 3D printing of a model for best results and making it super easy to get a good 3D print by making sure the model is oriented the best way to print and support, healing the model of bad surfaces or holes as your model must be “watertight” closed to print in most cases, and also optimizing the material usage. Making sure you close applications and save all files is good advice when installing any applications.
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I experienced an installer reboot problem that might have only happened to me, but I wanted to make sure if it wasn't that you were aware. Make sure to close all applications and save all files before installing the utility. You can use this free standalone utility when installing Autodesk’s 123D Design, 123D Make, or 123D Catch and selecting the option to install the standalone 3D Print Utility or go to the 3D Print Utility download page. Autodesk has just released the Autodesk 3D Print Utility ( A3DP) for free.
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