Get a sensible introduction to the strong options of MatterControl by making a hexagonal tile that you would be able to have displayed at MatterHackers HQ!
At MatterHackers HQ, we have been doing a little redecorating, and as a part of that we’re creating 3D prints to hold and show for all guests or meetup attendees to see. We wish them to be distinctive and one thing that anybody can design with out having a certification with some 3D modeling software program. With the Design Instruments and Design Apps in MatterControl, it is nonetheless very easy to leap in and begin 3D modeling. I will take an concept and wholly mannequin, slice, and print it utilizing MatterControl to indicate you simply how straightforward it’s.
Because the MatterHackers emblem is a hexagon and hexagons sample very well, that makes essentially the most sense as a base form for all of the 3D prints. Utilizing the cylinder primitive, I can change the variety of sides to six, successfully making a hexagonal prism. To maintain some consistency between all of the tiles, I’ve discovered {that a} hexagon measuring 150mm from tip to tip is large enough to have canvas to mannequin on and but sufficiently small to suit on most printers.
Prisms are basically low-poly cylinders which suggests the cylinder primitive could be very versatile.
Now that I’ve a base, I need to add a raised border to the highest of it. The best approach to do this, is to create a six sided ring, decide how tall I would like it, make it the identical diameter of 150mm, decide the thickness I would like, then increase it up 2mm to relaxation on prime of the bottom.
A hoop created in the identical approach because the cylinder means it’s a excellent define for the plate.
Utilizing the align device, I can choose that each the bottom and the ring are centered alongside each the X and Y axis.
Utilizing align, I can be sure the 2 shapes are centered and offset from one another to be completely joined.
From right here I need to throw some textual content onto the bottom; the textual content primitive makes that basically straightforward. I can change the precise textual content or the font to no matter I would like and the thing will replace as I make modifications.
The textual content could be modified to say no matter you need, even after creation.
Now right here is the place the superior instruments come into play; I’m going to use the “match to bounds” operation to the textual content so I can edit it in a really particular approach. If I have been to vary the textual content to say something completely different, then the size would change to maintain all the things in the identical level font; if I used simply my first, center, and final identify, then the size of my identify would lengthen handed the sting of the bottom. By utilizing “match to bounds” I can specify that it doesn’t matter what I do to the textual content, it has to stay throughout the boundaries I’ve set. In a way, that is what makes all of the Design Apps work and be configurable.
Match to Bounds signifies that if I ever change the textual content, it is going to all the time match throughout the bounding field.
With the textual content set to be “match to bounds” I can now align it to be centered alongside the X axis, after which as an alternative of immediately heart on Y, I’m going so as to add an offset by clicking the “Superior:” swap. This ensures that the textual content is a selected distance off of heart with out shifting proper or left on X as nicely.
Superior align instruments can maintain the textual content in the appropriate place.
By dragging in a picture (or clicking insert on the prime) I can convert that picture into an extruded form. Each picture is somewhat completely different, so you may must play with the choices to get MatterControl to pick out simply what you need to be extruded. On this case, my picture is my outdated cosplay emblem: a phoenix.
You possibly can drag and drop in any picture and MatterControl will convert it into an extrudable form.
Now that I’ve extruded the brand, I’m going to do precisely what I did to the textual content, that approach the picture is all the time in the identical place if I ever need to swap it up with a special picture or emblem.
Extrude the picture to your specified top and that’ll full this Mosaic Tile.
And there we go! This hexagon tile is completed, able to print, and completely sized to hold on the wall with the remainder of the tiles. I’ve uploaded this tile as a Design App, so you possibly can go in, modify the textual content and picture, and have your individual tile you possibly can print out and ship in!
In fact, this Design App is not the one approach to get your print displayed at MatterHackers; we could have an article sooner or later documenting what specs these tiles have to have to hold them up so you possibly can make the most of no matter modeling software program you’ve gotten at your disposal.
I hope this has all given you a greater concept of how Design Instruments and Design Apps work and has higher enabled you to go about creating your individual fashions in MatterControl and get proper to printing useful or ornamental 3D prints. As soon as you’ve got created one thing by yourself or with a Design App, share it with us utilizing the #MatterControl tag on social media.
Completely satisfied designing!