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Beginners Guide to 3D Printing - Bootcamp with Fusion 360

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Based on 171 ratings
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Philip Cotton

The Ultimate Guide to 3D Printing: Beginners Bootcamp is the perfect course for hobbyists, students, homeschoolers, and educators who want to learn 3D printing and how to create their own 3D-printed objects.

Whether you're a beginner who's just getting started with 3D printing or you're looking to expand your knowledge and skills, this course has everything you need to succeed.

Read more

The Ultimate Guide to 3D Printing: Beginners Bootcamp is the perfect course for hobbyists, students, homeschoolers, and educators who want to learn 3D printing and how to create their own 3D-printed objects.

Whether you're a beginner who's just getting started with 3D printing or you're looking to expand your knowledge and skills, this course has everything you need to succeed.

Led by Philip Cotton, the founder of Learnbylayers, this course is designed to be accessible and engaging for learners of all levels. Philip has years of experience in 3D printing education and has helped thousands of learners around the world to discover 3D printing.

This course is specifically tailored for beginners, but it's also suitable for those with some experience who want to expand their skills. You'll learn everything you need to know to get started with 3D printing, from setting up your printer to designing and slicing your own models.

With expert tuition, you will learn how to get started with 3D printers and learn how to create functional objects that you can print with ease. This course will teach you the skills you need to succeed. By the end of the course, you'll have a solid understanding of the principles of 3D printing and the ability to create your own designs with confidence using Fusion 360.

These are the major highlights of the course

  • How 3D printers work and where they are used

  • The theory behind the technology

  • How to get started e.g. load filament and calibrate the print bed

  • Where to find free files to print online

  • How to download Fusion 360 and CURA

  • How to design your own 3D models to print using Fusion 360

  • How to slice models using CURA

  • Best practice with 3D printers and how to fix troubleshooting issues

  • Included in the course is example STL files to download from each tutorial

If you're ready to take your first steps into the exciting world of 3D printing, sign up for the Ultimate Guide to 3D Printing: Beginners Bootcamp today. With expert tutition and hands-on experience with software such as Fusion 360 and CURA you'll have everything you need to succeed.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How 3d printers work
  • How to design models for 3d printing using fusion 360
  • How to slice models using cura
  • Useful tips and hints for successful 3d printing
  • Maintenance of 3d printers and troubleshooting

Syllabus

Understand where 3D printers are used, the benefits they bring to society and also know how they work.

In this lesson, you will be able to review what a 3D printer is, where they are used in society, along with the key components of how they work.

Read more

In this lesson, we will explore different websites that offer FREE STL files to print, along with downloading a calibration file. The lesson will also teach you how to download CURA and configure the software to your 3D printer.

In this lesson you will learn how to load filament into your machine ready for 3D printing.

In this lesson you will learn how to download and install Fusion 360 to your computer.

In this lesson, we will review the fusion 360 interface and the key elements of the program.

In this lesson, you will learn how to create basic sketches and then convert them to 3D using the extrude feature.

In this lesson, you will learn how to use the fillet feature to curve the edges of a model.

In this lesson, you will learn how to use the hole feature and how to add a hole to a 3D object.

In this lesson you will learn how to edit a sketch to change the key sizes of a design.

In this lesson, you will learn how to use the revolve feature to create a sketched profile and rotate it 360 degrees.

In this lesson, you will learn how edit a revolve once it you have created the revolve.

In this lesson you will learn how to use the sweep feature.

In this video you will use the sweep feature to create a small model of paper clip. This will help you practice the concept for use later when modelling an iphone case.

In this lesson you will learn how to add a new workplane using the 'offset workplane' feature and then loft a series of sketches together to create a 3D shape.

In this lesson you will learn how to add screw threads to objects.

In this lesson, you will learn how to create a nut and bolt using the screw thread feature.

In this lesson you will learn how to add a workplane and use the left feature to create a 3D model to turn into a candle holder. Please measure the diameter of your tea light first and edit the size of the circle so it's a few mm larger than needed. I have used 38mm in the video, however some tea lights have a different size.

With this file the size of the bearings are 608. Also depending on the printer and material you are printing with you may need to slightly alter the scale when printing to get a tight fit. The bearing should be a push fit, alternatively, you can superglue them to the fidget spinner.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Uses Fusion 360, which is a professional-grade CAD/CAM tool that is available for free to students, hobbyists, and startups, making it accessible for learning 3D design
Covers troubleshooting, which is essential for users to independently maintain their 3D printers and resolve common issues, ensuring a smoother 3D printing experience
Includes example STL files for each tutorial, which allows learners to immediately practice the concepts taught and reinforces their understanding through hands-on experience
Teaches CURA, a widely-used slicing software, which is essential for preparing 3D models for printing and optimizing print settings, making it a valuable skill for 3D printing enthusiasts
Requires downloading software such as Fusion 360 and CURA, which may require a computer that meets the minimum system requirements for these applications

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Reviews summary

Beginner 3d printing and fusion 360 guide

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation (positive) for understanding 3D printing and designing models using Fusion 360. Many found the content very clear and easy to follow (positive), making it suitable for complete beginners. The course offers practical, hands-on projects (positive) that help solidify understanding. While some found the pace occasionally slow if they had prior minimal experience, the step-by-step approach (positive) to learning software like Fusion 360 and CURA was widely appreciated. Reviewers often highlighted the instructor's ability to explain complex topics simply, leading to a generally highly positive reception (positive).
Good pace for novices, maybe slow if experienced.
"The pace was perfect for me as someone totally new to 3D printing and CAD software."
"If you've used other CAD programs before, some parts of the Fusion 360 section might feel a bit slow, but it's thorough."
"Geared perfectly towards beginners. Anyone with some experience might find the initial sections too basic."
"Moves at a steady pace, ensuring you grasp each concept before moving on, which is great for learning."
Guidance on common printing issues.
"The troubleshooting section at the end was very useful, covering common problems like blockages and bed leveling."
"Getting practical tips on printer maintenance and dealing with issues saved me a lot of potential headaches."
"I liked that the course didn't just teach design and slicing but also touched on real-world printer problems and solutions."
"Valuable insights into keeping my printer running smoothly and fixing prints that fail."
Detailed lessons on Fusion 360 and CURA.
"The sections on downloading, installing, and using both Fusion 360 and CURA were very thorough and covered all the basics I needed."
"I appreciated the detailed walkthroughs of the Fusion 360 interface and core features like extrude, fillet, and chamfer."
"Understanding CURA settings was made much easier by the dedicated lessons, covering both basic and custom options."
"The guidance on software setup and usage is excellent for getting started without frustration."
Hands-on practice with Fusion 360 design.
"The design tutorials in Fusion 360 were incredibly helpful. Modeling the key chain and other objects made the learning stick."
"I really enjoyed the practical exercises where we modeled different items. It's the best way to learn the software."
"Learning to use Fusion 360 through creating actual objects felt very productive and rewarding."
"The step-by-step modeling guides are a major strength of this course. They directly apply the concepts taught."
Excellent starting point for novices.
"This course is fantastic for absolute beginners. It explains everything in a way that's easy to understand."
"As a complete beginner, I found the instructions very clear and easy to follow, especially for setting up the printer and using the software."
"Perfect introduction to 3D printing. The instructor breaks down complex topics into manageable steps."
"I had zero experience before this course, and now I feel confident starting with my 3D printer and Fusion 360."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Beginners Guide to 3D Printing - Bootcamp with Fusion 360 with these activities:
Review Basic CAD Principles
Reviewing CAD principles will help you grasp the fundamentals of Fusion 360 more quickly. Understanding the underlying concepts will make the course material easier to follow and apply.
Browse courses on CAD
Show steps
  • Read articles or watch videos on CAD basics.
  • Practice creating simple shapes in any CAD software.
  • Familiarize yourself with common CAD terminology.
Review Basic CAD Principles
Reviewing CAD principles will help you grasp the fundamentals of Fusion 360 more quickly. Understanding the underlying concepts will make the course material easier to follow.
Browse courses on CAD
Show steps
  • Read articles or watch videos explaining CAD basics.
  • Practice creating simple shapes in any CAD software.
Review '3D Printing For Dummies'
Reading this book will give you a broad overview of 3D printing. It will help you understand the different technologies, materials, and applications of 3D printing.
View 3D Printing for Dummies on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book's introduction and overview of 3D printing technologies.
  • Focus on chapters related to materials and applications.
  • Skim through chapters on specific 3D printing technologies.
Ten other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 13 activities
Review '3D Printing For Dummies'
Reading this book will provide a broader understanding of the 3D printing landscape. It will help you appreciate the context of the skills you are learning in the course.
View 3D Printing for Dummies on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book, focusing on chapters related to 3D printing basics.
  • Take notes on key concepts and applications.
Practice Modeling Basic Shapes in Fusion 360
Practicing modeling basic shapes will improve your proficiency with Fusion 360. It will build muscle memory and make you more comfortable with the software's tools and features.
Show steps
  • Create a series of simple shapes (cubes, cylinders, spheres).
  • Experiment with different modeling techniques (extrude, revolve, sweep).
  • Modify existing shapes using various tools (fillet, chamfer, shell).
Practice Modeling Basic Shapes in Fusion 360
Practicing modeling basic shapes will improve your proficiency with Fusion 360. Repetition will help you internalize the software's tools and workflows.
Show steps
  • Create a series of simple shapes in Fusion 360.
  • Experiment with different tools and features.
  • Repeat the exercises until you feel comfortable.
Review 'Functional Design for 3D Printing'
Reading this book will help you understand the practical considerations of designing for 3D printing. It will improve your ability to create functional and durable objects using Fusion 360.
View Functional Design for 3D Printing: Designing 3d... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book's introduction and table of contents.
  • Focus on chapters related to design principles and material selection.
  • Take notes on key concepts and examples.
Review 'Functional Design for 3D Printing'
Reading this book will provide a deeper understanding of the design considerations specific to 3D printing. It will help you create more functional and reliable 3D-printed objects.
View Functional Design for 3D Printing: Designing 3d... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book, focusing on chapters related to design principles.
  • Take notes on key concepts and design considerations.
Design and Print a Simple Enclosure
Designing and printing a simple enclosure will solidify your understanding of Fusion 360 and CURA. It will give you hands-on experience with the entire 3D printing workflow.
Show steps
  • Design a basic enclosure in Fusion 360.
  • Export the model as an STL file.
  • Slice the model in CURA with appropriate settings.
  • Print the enclosure and evaluate the results.
Design and Print a Simple Enclosure
Starting a small project will allow you to apply the skills learned in the course immediately. Designing an enclosure will reinforce your understanding of Fusion 360 and CURA.
Show steps
  • Design a simple enclosure in Fusion 360.
  • Slice the model in CURA.
  • Print the enclosure and test its fit.
Document Your 3D Printing Journey
Creating a blog or video series about your 3D printing projects will reinforce your learning. It will also help you share your knowledge with others and build a community.
Show steps
  • Choose a platform for your content (blog, YouTube, etc.).
  • Document your design process, printing settings, and results.
  • Share your content with the 3D printing community.
Document Your 3D Printing Journey
Creating a blog or video series will help you solidify your understanding of 3D printing. Explaining concepts to others is a great way to learn.
Show steps
  • Create a blog or video channel.
  • Document your 3D printing projects and challenges.
  • Share your experiences and insights with others.
Contribute to Open Source 3D Printing Projects
Contributing to open-source projects will allow you to collaborate with other 3D printing enthusiasts. You can learn from experienced users and contribute to the community.
Show steps
  • Find an open-source 3D printing project on GitHub.
  • Identify a bug or feature to work on.
  • Submit a pull request with your changes.

Career center

Learners who complete Beginners Guide to 3D Printing - Bootcamp with Fusion 360 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Prototyping Technician
Prototyping technicians build prototypes of new products or designs. This course teaches how 3D printing can be used to create prototypes quickly and inexpensively. The course covers how to design 3D models using Fusion 360 and how to slice models using CURA. In particular, the course covers troubleshooting, which will be helpful if you end up being responsible for printer maintenance. Prototyping technicians seeking an introduction to 3D printing will find the course will be valuable.
See salaries and explore the career path for Prototyping Technician
Educator
Educators are increasingly incorporating 3D printing into their curricula to teach design, engineering, and other subjects. This course may assist educators in learning the fundamentals of 3D printing. The course covers how 3D printers work, how to create 3D models using Fusion 360, and how to slice models using CURA. The course also includes example files and projects, which can be used for teaching students. For educators looking to integrate 3D printing into their classrooms, this course will be helpful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Educator
Hobbyist
Many hobbyists enjoy creating and building things in their spare time. This Beginners Guide to 3D Printing makes the hobby accessible to a wider audience. This course teaches the basics of 3D printing, including how printers work, how to design 3D models using Fusion 360, and how to slice models using CURA. The course also covers troubleshooting, which is very helpful to the hobbyist. If you want to get started with a 3D printing hobby, this course may be of assistance to you.
See salaries and explore the career path for Hobbyist
Robotics Technician
Robotics Technicians build, maintain, and repair robots for a variety of industries. 3D printing is often used in robotics for creating custom parts and enclosures. The course may help you to design and print parts for robots, as well as troubleshoot any issues that may arise with 3D printers. Robotics technicians who want exposure to design and fabrication will find this course may be be useful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Technician
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical engineers design, develop, and test mechanical devices and systems. 3D printing is an important tool for mechanical engineers, allowing them to quickly create prototypes and test different designs. The ability to use Fusion 360 to create complex geometric shapes will enable mechanical engineers to optimize designs for function and performance. The course's coverage of troubleshooting will also be extremely useful for mechanical engineers working with 3D printers. For mechanical engineers interested in using 3D printing in their work, this course may be suitable.
See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer
Design Engineer
Design engineers research and develop ideas and processes for new products. 3D Printing is an important tool for design engineers as it allows them to quickly prototype parts in house. The course may provide exposure on how to use Fusion 360 to design 3D models for printing. It also covers how to slice models using CURA. Design engineers looking to integrate 3D printing into their workflow will find this course may be helpful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Design Engineer
CAD Technician
CAD technicians use computer aided design software to create technical drawings and models. This course can help a CAD technician learn how to use Fusion 360, a popular CAD software package, for creating 3D models for printing. Since the course features Fusion 360, it may be an efficient on-ramp in learning how to bring product designs to life. CAD Technicians who want to add 3D printing to their skillset will find the course helpful.
See salaries and explore the career path for CAD Technician
Product Designer
A product designer conceptualizes and designs new products, or improves existing ones. 3D printing is often used in product design for prototyping and testing designs before mass production. Learning Fusion 360 in particular can provide a strong foundation for creating manufacturable products. Studying how 3D printers work, as covered in the course, is a great way for a product designer to understand both the capabilities and limitations of the technology. This course may be useful to a product designer by teaching skills to use Fusion 360 and CURA, two popular software packages.
See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer
Manufacturing Engineer
Manufacturing engineers improve efficiency and productivity through manufacturing processes. 3D printing is increasingly being used in manufacturing for creating tooling, jigs, fixtures, and even end-use parts. The course may prepare manufacturing engineers to design and optimize parts for 3D printing, and the tips on troubleshooting are valuable for understanding how to work with the machines. For manufacturing engineers looking to incorporate 3D printing into their processes, this course may be a great start.
See salaries and explore the career path for Manufacturing Engineer
Digital Artist
Digital artists use computer software to create art. They may create models, and using 3D printers to bring digital art into the real world is a growing trend. Learning how to get started using design software can facilitate the translation of art from the digital space to a physical one. Digital artists who want to create physical 3D models may find this course to be a good fit.
See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Artist
Aerospace Engineer
Aerospace engineers design aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. 3D printing is increasingly used in aerospace for creating lightweight, complex parts. While many aerospace engineers will require advanced degrees, this course may provide a foundation in 3D printing and design to kickstart a career. The course also covers how to slice models using CURA. Aerospace engineers who want to learn the basics of design for additively manufactured systems will find this course helpful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Aerospace Engineer
Architect
Architects design buildings and other structures. 3D printing is another tool in the toolchest, and can serve the function of creating model buildings and structures. The course may provide exposure on how to use Fusion 360 to design 3D models for printing. It also covers how to slice models using CURA. Architects looking to integrate 3D printing into their workflow will find this course maybe useful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Architect
Science Museum Exhibit Designer
Science museums require exhibits that are both interactive and educational. Learning how to manufacture or repair exhibits may be a job requirement. This course could lead to a better understanding of how to use 3D printing to create exhibits. Since this is a beginners course, it would be most useful as an introduction to the field. Designers of exhibits for science museums may find the general knowledge imparted in this course useful for their jobs.
See salaries and explore the career path for Science Museum Exhibit Designer
Special Effects Technician
Special effects technicians use various techniques to create special effects for movies, television, and theatre. These technicians must be capable of using technology to apply special effects. 3D printing is a growing choice of special effects technicians to manufacture custom props. This course may enable special effects technicians to learn the fundamentals of 3D printing. Special Effects Technicians who want to learn more about 3D printing will find the course may be a good stepping stone.
See salaries and explore the career path for Special Effects Technician
Dental Technician
Dental technicians manufacture dental prosthetics such as dentures and crowns. 3D printing is becoming increasingly common in dentistry for creating these prosthetics. With 3D printing becoming a major part of dental technology, beginners may find this course useful. Dental technicians looking to add 3D printing to their skillset may find this course helpful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Dental Technician

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Beginners Guide to 3D Printing - Bootcamp with Fusion 360.
Cover image
3D Printing For Dummies
Save
Provides a comprehensive introduction to 3D printing, covering the basics of the technology, different types of printers, materials, and software. It's a great resource for beginners who want to understand the fundamentals before diving into design and slicing software like Fusion 360 and Cura. It serves as a useful reference for understanding the broader 3D printing landscape.
3D Printing for Dummies
Paperback
$$
3D Printing For Dummies, 2Ed
Paperback
$$
3D Printing For Dummies
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Functional Design for 3D Printing
Save
Focuses on designing parts specifically for 3D printing, covering topics like material selection, stress analysis, and design optimization. It provides practical guidance on creating functional and durable 3D-printed objects. This book valuable resource for understanding the limitations and possibilities of 3D printing in real-world applications. It adds depth to the course by exploring advanced design considerations.
Functional Design for 3D Printing: Designing 3d...
Paperback
$$

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Rating
4.5 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Effort
4 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Philip Cotton
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Uses Fusion 360, which is a professional-grade CAD/CAM tool that is available for free to students, hobbyists, and startups, making it accessible for learning 3D design
Covers troubleshooting, which is essential for users to independently maintain their 3D printers and resolve common issues, ensuring a smoother 3D printing experience
Includes example STL files for each tutorial, which allows learners to immediately practice the concepts taught and reinforces their understanding through hands-on experience
Teaches CURA, a widely-used slicing software, which is essential for preparing 3D models for printing and optimizing print settings, making it a valuable skill for 3D printing enthusiasts
Requires downloading software such as Fusion 360 and CURA, which may require a computer that meets the minimum system requirements for these applications
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