Get a sensible introduction to the strong options of MatterControl by making a hexagonal tile which you could 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 would like 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 thought and wholly mannequin, slice, and print it utilizing MatterControl to point out you simply how simple it’s.
For the reason that MatterHackers brand 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 found out {that a} hexagon measuring 150mm from tip to tip is sufficiently big to have a very good 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 wish to add a raised border to the highest of it. The simplest manner to do this, is to create a six sided ring, choose how tall I need it, make it the identical diameter of 150mm, decide the thickness I need, then increase it up 2mm to relaxation on high of the bottom.
A hoop created in the identical manner because the cylinder means it’s a good define for the plate.
Utilizing the align instrument, I can choose that each the bottom and the ring are centered alongside each the X and Y axis.
Utilizing align, I can make sure that the 2 shapes are centered and offset from one another to be completely joined.
From right here I wish to throw some textual content onto the bottom; the textual content primitive makes that actually simple. I can change the precise textual content or the font to no matter I need and the thing will replace as I make adjustments.
The textual content may 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 manner. If I had been to alter the textual content to say something totally different, then the scale would change to maintain every part 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. Through the use of “match to bounds” I can specify that it doesn’t matter what I do to the textual content, it has to stay inside the boundaries I’ve set. In a way, that is what makes all of the Design Apps work and be configurable.
Match to Bounds implies that if I ever change the textual content, it can all the time match inside 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 straight middle on Y, I’m going so as to add an offset by clicking the “Superior:” change. This ensures that the textual content is a selected distance off of middle with out shifting proper or left on X as nicely.
Superior align instruments can maintain the textual content in the suitable place.
By dragging in a picture (or clicking insert on the high) I can convert that picture into an extruded form. Each picture is a bit totally different, so you may must play with the choices to get MatterControl to pick simply what you wish to be extruded. On this case, my picture is my previous cosplay brand: a phoenix.
You’ll be able to drag and drop in any picture and MatterControl will convert it into an extrudable form.
Now that I’ve extruded the emblem, I’m going to do precisely what I did to the textual content, that manner the picture is all the time in the identical place if I ever wish to change it up with a distinct picture or brand.
Extrude the picture to your specified peak 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’ll be able to go in, modify the textual content and picture, and have your personal tile you’ll be able to print out and ship in!
In fact, this Design App is not the one technique to get your print displayed at MatterHackers; we may have an article sooner or later documenting what specs these tiles must have to hold them up so you’ll be able to make the most of no matter modeling software program you’ve at your disposal.
I hope this has all given you a greater thought of how Design Instruments and Design Apps work and has higher enabled you to go about creating your personal fashions in MatterControl and get proper to printing purposeful 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.
Blissful designing!
