We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Blender for 3D Printing - Intro to Flexible Design (102)

Jayson Wall

4.6

Based on 46 ratings

Jayson Wall

This course is the 2nd Course of my Blender 2.8 for 3D Printing that will get you started with your 3D Print Design future. In this course we'll be diving a little deeper into flexible design workflows and getting you more comfortable with the process.

Goal: This course is all about learning how to be a flexible designer. By teaching you three different workflows in lithophanes, 3d printed vases, and custom rings, you'll learn how to really start thinking about design structure for your prints.

Flexible Pottery Designs

Let's learn how to be a flexible designer. The workflow for 3D Vases will teach you the lathe tool as well as get in more modifier practice.

Rings with Custom Text

Let's learn how to measure a real-world object (your finger). We'll also learn how to plan for a product in 3D space. Adding 3D text is just the cherry on top of this ring project.

Intro to Lithophanes

Let's gain the power of the displace modifier and the bool tool. You'll also get more practice with the 3D Print Tool Box.

Watch Time: 1 hour 23 mins

Design Estimate: 3 hrs

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

Intro to the Displacement Modifier
Into to working with Curves
Intro to the Lathe Tool
Intro to Practical Measurements
Intro to working w/ Images & Text
Access to Lesson & File Downloads
Access to the Designer's Discord

Enroll now

Or start a personal plan

And upskill with Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

Theory of 3d designing for a 3d print
Beginner prototyping for 3d printed products
3d printing tool box - blender add on
Basics of 3d modeling for 3d printer
Basics to box modeling
Design fundamentals for 3d printing
Basics to practical designing
Blender overview

Blender introduction & 3d printing workflow
Bool tool - blender add on
Basics to adaptive & flexible design
How to design for no rafts & no supports
How to build "flexible" design projects
Show more
Show less

Theory of 3d designing for a 3d print
Beginner prototyping for 3d printed products
3d printing tool box - blender add on
Basics of 3d modeling for 3d printer
Basics to box modeling
Design fundamentals for 3d printing
Basics to practical designing
Blender overview
Blender introduction & 3d printing workflow
Bool tool - blender add on
Basics to adaptive & flexible design
How to design for no rafts & no supports
How to build "flexible" design projects
Show more
Show less

Syllabus

Setup Blender for 3D Print Design and Printing

Setup Blender for Your 3D Printer (Do Not Skip)

Blender UI Basics

3D Print Toolbox (FREE Blender Addon)

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.

Save

Career center

Learners who complete Blender for 3D Printing - Intro to Flexible Design (102) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

3D Print Designer

A 3D Print Designer specializes in creating digital models specifically optimized for additive manufacturing. This course directly equips learners with the essential skills to excel as a 3D Print Designer. It provides a comprehensive introduction to Blender for 3D Print Design and specific workflows for creating adaptive and flexible designs. Mastering concepts like designing for no rafts and no supports, along with practical measurements for physical objects, are critical for efficient and successful prints. By learning how to build "Flexible" Design Projects, learners can confidently design functional and innovative objects, understanding the nuances of how digital models translate into tangible products. This course is foundational for anyone aspiring to a career in designing for additive manufacturing.

See salaries and explore the career path for 3D Print Designer

Product Designer

A Product Designer conceptualizes, develops, and delivers new products, often utilizing 3D modeling and prototyping throughout the design cycle. This course helps build a foundation in beginner prototyping for 3D printed products, a critical skill in modern product development. By learning practical measurements, planning for a product in 3D space, and mastering flexible design workflows, learners are well-prepared to create functional and innovative products, such as custom rings or pottery designs. The emphasis on design fundamentals for 3D printing directly supports the iterative process of bringing product ideas from concept to a tangible prototype. This expertise is invaluable for a Product Designer aiming to rapidly test and refine their creations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer

Hobbyist Product Developer Entrepreneur

A Hobbyist Product Developer Entrepreneur identifies market needs for niche products and brings them to life, often involving rapid prototyping and small-batch manufacturing. This course directly contributes to building a strong foundation in beginner prototyping for 3D printed products, teaching flexible design workflows, and practical measurements. It empowers individuals to confidently design custom items like rings or vases, ideal for launching small-scale, innovative product lines. With knowledge of 3D Print Design fundamentals and Blender's capabilities, this course provides the tools to transform creative ideas into tangible, sellable products without extensive overhead.

See salaries and explore the career path for Hobbyist Product Developer Entrepreneur

Industrial Designer

An Industrial Designer combines art, engineering, and business principles to create innovative consumer products and experiences. This career path intrinsically involves 3D modeling and prototyping. The course's focus on design fundamentals for 3D printing, practical designing, and understanding how to build "Flexible" Design Projects directly supports the creation of functional and aesthetically pleasing objects. Learners gain hands-on experience with Blender tools like the lathe tool and displacement modifier, which are essential for crafting intricate and visually compelling designs. This course provides a tangible skill set in rapid prototyping that is highly valued in the industrial design profession.

See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial Designer

Jewelry Designer

A Jewelry Designer creates original designs for personal adornment, often blending traditional craftsmanship with modern digital tools. This course is highly relevant for an aspiring Jewelry Designer, particularly with its specific project on designing custom rings with custom text. Learners practice measuring real-world objects, planning for a product in 3D space, and customizing for flexible workflows. Mastering Blender for creating intricate geometries and understanding the 3D Print Toolbox are directly applicable to prototyping both wearable and visually appealing jewelry pieces. This detailed focus on digital design for physical output provides a distinct advantage in a competitive market.

See salaries and explore the career path for Jewelry Designer

Additive Manufacturing Engineer

An Additive Manufacturing Engineer focuses on the entire lifecycle of 3D printed parts, from design optimization to production and post-processing. While this role often requires an advanced degree, this course provides core knowledge in the theory of 3D designing for a 3D print and the Blender 3D Printing Workflow. Skills acquired, such as knowing how to design for no rafts and no supports, are critical for optimizing print processes, ensuring material efficiency, and achieving high-quality results in additive manufacturing. Understanding adaptive and flexible design principles helps in creating robust and functional parts. This training is a valuable step for an aspiring engineer in this rapidly evolving field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Additive Manufacturing Engineer

Prototyping Specialist

A Prototyping Specialist focuses on creating early versions or models of products, enabling testing and evaluation before full-scale production. This course directly addresses the needs of a Prototyping Specialist by covering beginner prototyping for 3D printed products. Learners engage in practical applications like designing custom rings and flexible pottery, gaining hands-on experience in bringing concepts to life. Understanding how to build "Flexible" Design Projects and optimizing for 3D printing, such as designing without rafts or supports, is fundamental for rapid and efficient prototyping workflows. This course provides actionable skills to accelerate product development cycles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Prototyping Specialist

CAD Modeler

A CAD Modeler creates detailed 3D models using computer aided design software for various applications, from engineering to manufacturing. While Blender is often seen as a general 3D content creation suite, it functions as a powerful CAD tool for many applications, and this course helps build a foundation in essential modeling skills. Learners develop foundational 3D modeling expertise, including box modeling, working with curves, and using modifiers. The emphasis on practical measurements and design for physical output enhances precision and accuracy, crucial attributes for a successful CAD Modeler. This course provides practical experience in transforming design concepts into precise digital models ready for production.

See salaries and explore the career path for CAD Modeler

Medical Device Designer

A Medical Device Designer conceptualizes and develops devices for healthcare, often requiring custom fits, complex geometries, and specialized materials. This career path frequently requires an advanced degree due to regulatory and technical complexities. The course's emphasis on practical measurements, planning for a product in 3D space, and creating "Flexible" Design Projects is highly relevant for medical devices, many of which are prototyped and manufactured using 3D printing. Understanding design structure for prints and utilizing Blender's precise modeling tools may significantly aid in developing functional and patient-specific medical solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Device Designer

Prop Designer

A Prop Designer creates custom objects and scenic elements for film, theater, television, or events, often requiring unique and specialized items. This course may be useful by providing foundational skills in 3D modeling with Blender and specific knowledge of 3D print design, including adaptive and flexible designs. Mastering tools like the displacement modifier and Bool Tool can significantly enhance a Prop Designer's ability to fabricate custom props, such as intricate objects or replicas, through 3D printing. This expertise allows for greater design freedom and efficiency in producing tangible assets for creative productions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Prop Designer

Custom Art Toy Designer

A Custom Art Toy Designer conceptualizes and creates unique, often limited-edition, collectible art toys. This course directly supports the skills needed for this niche by focusing on 3D Print Design, including practical designing, and how to build "Flexible" Design Projects using Blender's tools like the displace modifier and Bool Tool. Learners explore how to build diverse forms and structures from a digital concept, which is directly applicable to modeling and then 3D printing custom art toys for production. This expertise empowers designers to bring imaginative characters and objects to life as tangible collector's items.

See salaries and explore the career path for Custom Art Toy Designer

Dental Lab Technician Digital Designer

A Dental Lab Technician Digital Designer specializes in creating dental prosthetics like crowns, bridges, and aligners using digital tools for 3D printing or milling. This profession often requires specialized certification or an advanced degree. The course's strong emphasis on practical measurements, precision, and 3D Print Design workflows, including understanding design structure and flexible design, may be helpful for someone considering this field. Learning to plan for a product in 3D space and working with images and text in Blender provides a foundation for accurately designing custom, patient-specific dental solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Dental Lab Technician Digital Designer

Footwear Designer

A Footwear Designer creates innovative designs for shoes and other foot coverings, often focusing on aesthetics, ergonomics, and material properties. This course may be useful as its focus on practical measurements, custom fitting (as demonstrated in the ring project), and flexible design workflows could be insightful for creating innovative footwear components. Understanding how to plan for a product in 3D space and prototype with 3D printing can be applied to designing custom insoles, unique outsoles, or intricate embellishments for shoes, offering a modern approach to fabrication and customization.

See salaries and explore the career path for Footwear Designer

Architectural Model Maker

An Architectural Model Maker constructs physical scale models of buildings, landscapes, and urban designs for visualization and presentation. The course provides skills in Blender, including an overview of the user interface, basics of 3D modeling, and the Blender 3D Printing Workflow. This knowledge may be helpful for translating architectural designs into physical 3D printed models, allowing for rapid iteration and detailed representation of complex structures and forms. Understanding the fundamentals of 3D Print Design further assists in creating precise and visually compelling physical models for architects and developers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Architectural Model Maker

Visual Merchandising Designer

A Visual Merchandising Designer conceptualizes and installs eye-catching displays in retail environments to enhance product appeal and drive sales. This role often requires creating custom fixtures, props, or unique signage. The course, with its emphasis on 3D Print Design and practical designing using Blender, may be helpful for conceiving and producing unique physical display elements through 3D printing, enabling tailored and eye-catching retail experiences. Learning about flexible design workflows and planning for a product in 3D space can facilitate the creation of innovative and personalized visual installations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Visual Merchandising Designer

Reading list

We've selected 48 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 Blender for 3D Printing - Intro to Flexible Design (102).

The Essential Blender

Save

Is the official manual for Blender, written by the Blender Foundation. It comprehensive resource that covers everything from the basics to advanced techniques.

The Essential Blender: Guide to 3D Creation with...

Paperback

Formulations

Save

Explores the use of 3D design in education, discussing its benefits, challenges, and best practices.

Blender for 3D Printing - Intro to Flexible Design (102)

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Save this course

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses

Udemy Buyer Protection & Guarantee

Free Lecture Previews

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Verified Academic & Industry Partner