2. Basic Principles of 3D Printing
All 3D printing works on the same basic principle, but there are several variants and sub-variants. In this chapter we’ll explain the basic principle and then go on to discuss the variants.
How 3D Printing Works
Before you can 3D print an object, you need a 3D computer model of the object. Many programs are available that can produce suitable models. For example, you can use engineering and design software such as AutoCAD or Inventor from Autodesk, SolidWorks from Dassault Systemes, or Solid Edge from Siemens PLM Systemes.
Okay, so you can’t afford several thousand dollars’ worth of engineering software. No problem; Autodesk has free software that you use online at www.123dapp.com. This even includes a killer ...
Get 3D Printing with Autodesk®: Create and Print 3D Objects with 123D, AutoCAD and Inventor now with the O’Reilly learning platform.
O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.
