3D Design

Programs for 3D Printing

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After you have your 3D printer set up, your materials purchased, and your staff trained, you might want to put together some great programs for your community. This is an excellent way to introduce your community to 3D printing, and promote any upcoming services you might begin. 3D printing programs can work for patrons of all ages, with the exception of young children. If possible, bring your 3D printer to your programming room for these programs, or do a quick tour to your 3D printer if it’s on the public floor.  

Here are just a few programs you can put together for your library:

  • Introduction to 3D Printing: For adults and teens. An introductory lesson to what 3D printing is, how it’s done, and how the library can help. Bring your 3D printer with you so patrons can see the printer. Run a design during the class for an extra element.
  • 3D Printing Design: For adults and teens. With a set of computers, teach your patrons how to use web-based CAD program TinkerCAD. All they need to do is set up an account with an email address to get started. You can walk them through creating a simple design — keychains work great. Then, print the design in their selected filament color, and leave them for pick up at one of your public services desk. Tip: have the patrons save the STL file to the desktop of their computer, and rename the file to include the patron’s name and filament color choice. 
  • Cookie Cutter program: For adults, teens, and older kids. Patrons can design their very own cookie cutter in TinkerCAD or a similar program, then you print them out! This is a great program to do around the holidays, or to celebrate National Cookie Day on December 4! Tip: have the patrons save the STL file to the desktop of their computer, and rename the file to include the patron’s name and filament color choice. 
  • 3D Printing for Businesses: Connect with your local Chamber of Commerce, or even a few small business owners, and show them how to use 3D printing software and the printer itself. This is a great way to meet with local business owners, get them involved in the library, and gauge their interest in additional programming — technology or not.


There are only a few ideas to get you started. You can run these programs monthly, bi-monthly, once a year, or however frequently you would like.

Programs and Ideas for 3D Scanning

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3D scanning programs can be more than just a lesson on 3D printing — they can actually be fun! They are also simple to run with the right equipment. You can use a piece of paper and an app, the MergeCube, or go more detailed with a portable or desktop scanner. 

Plan out your program in advance, and be sure that you have everything you need. It might be helpful to make a list of the equipment you will need in advance and create an action plan for the program. You might want to create a list of 3D scanning basics and tips for participants so that they understand how the technology works, and how best to scan an object.

Scan, edit, and view your favorite outdoor object: Great for children and young teens! Take a nature walk with a portable 3D scanner or a mobile device, and have participants find an object to scan. This can be a rock, leaf, flower, or something else — as long as it’s not too big. You can then have them view and move around their object on the computer. Be sure to guide your participants in scanning, having them work slowly around the object.

Digitize and view historical items: Schedule a museum or historical society visit and use a portable scanner or mobile app to scan and digitize historical objects. Before scanning, a representative from the organization can give a brief history lesson on the objects that will be scanned. This is a great trip for all ages, but particularly fun for children. The digitized objects can also be emailed to the organization you’re working with! 

Scan and view an object in VR: Use the MergeCube or any other 3D scanner to scan an object in 360 degrees to be viewed and played with in virtual reality. This is fun to do with virtual reality game TiltShift, where you can paint and draw in virtual reality.

Introduction to 3D Printing

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Many libraries have adopted and adapted 3D printing services and have found great success in bringing their communities new and exciting technology. If you’re just getting started, this guide is for you! This guide will define 3D printing; go over the basics of getting started and understanding your machine; explain some problems you might encounter and how to solve them; and how to tailor 3D printing to suit the needs of your library and its community. 

What is 3D printing? 

3D printing is an additive fabrication or building process. An object is built by adding layers of material upon one another. As those layers come together, they often form a slightly hollow pattern in the middle of the design for stability. This creates a functional 3D object. Most of the time, these 3D objects are built by a combination of a 3D printer and computer software. The software is where a design can be created or downloaded, edited and be ready for printing. 

3D printing is traditionally used for prototyping, printing parts, or even creating fun designs. For libraries, 3D printing can benefit your community in a traditional or alternative way, and creates an excellent learning experience for nearly all ages.

What are the common types of 3D printing?

There are two main types of 3D printing: one is Stereolithography, or SLA. This process of 3D printing uses a light source to cure resin material. SLA 3D printing is great for prototyping and making watertight designs with high detail, and is used frequently in the dental and engineering fields. However, this type of 3D printing is slightly more advanced and costly, so you may want to introduce this into your library after you’ve gotten used to the second and most common type of 3D printing: Fused Deposition Modeling, or FDM. FDM has actually been around since the 80s, and what usually comes to mind when 3D printing is mentioned. FDM melts filament — usually a kind of plastic — and extrudes it out of a 3D printer to build all kinds of objects. There are many different brands and models of FDM 3D printers. You’ll have to research which brand would fit your budget and the needs of your library. Commonly purchased 3D printer brands include, but are not limited to:

  • Prusa
  • MakerBot
  • LulzBot Taz
  • XYZ Da Vinci
  • Ultimaker
  • Form Labs (Resin printers)

Regardless of which you choose, you will need specific equipment to ensure your 3D printer works properly.

What do you need for 3D printing?

A computer: You can use either a PC or Mac, a desktop or a laptop, depending on how and where you intend the 3D printer to be used.

Software: This is where you will see the 3D object you’re printing and be able to make changes before printing. You can make the design bigger or smaller, rotate it for different views, check for any mistakes, add supports/rafts/bridges, and print your design. A lot of 3D printers come with software but there are also free or low-cost, and open source options available as well. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Cura
  • TinkerCad (a web-based 3D design service)
  • SketchUp
  • Fusion360
  • And more! 

Materials & accessories: The most important accessory for a 3D printer is its material. The material most commonly used with 3D printers is filament. 3D printing filament comes in many forms, but mostly various types of plastic, and comes in so many colors! Some 3D printers support different types of mixed filament — e.g. a plastic filament that is mixed with wood particles, to create a wood-based design. For more information on these materials, please see Materials for 3D Printing.

Your printer should come with material samples, and there are several places online that sell all different kinds of materials. Be sure to research the different types of materials you might be interested in using with your printer so that you can be sure your designs print properly. 

A 3D object: Finally, you will need a 3D object file to print! The typical file types for 3D objects will be .STL and .OBJ, with STL being the most common. These files are readily available to be loaded into whichever software you use, and will either be saved onto an SD card or sent to your printer wirelessly (sort of like how a standard printer paper works) from a computer or laptop. When 3D designs are ready for print, they will need to be exported or saved as a GCode file — this file contains all of the print job’s correct movements. Some programs do this automatically, but others might have you manually export a file as a GCode. 

3D objects can be designed by you or your patrons in software like Fusion360, Sketchup, or TinkerCad — to name a few. Alternatively, you or your patrons can find 3D objects using websites like Thingiverse. Thingiverse and other sites are community-run repositories where users will upload 3D objects they have designed. These objects can be downloaded and loaded right into your software. Users who have made the design can post pictures of their printed object, and leave comments with any tips or tricks for printing. 

What are the main parts of a 3D printer?

The parts and pieces that make up a 3D printer will vary based on the type of printer. However, every 3D printer will come with a build plate, where the design is built. For more information on the parts of a 3D printer, please see our instructions on FDM and SLA printing.

How do you bring 3D printing to your community?

Providing a 3D printing service for your patrons can help show your community that libraries are always evolving and provide the perfect place to explore new technology. However, bringing a 3D printing service to your library involves research, discussion, and a lot of trial and error. In addition to which 3D printer and materials you will purchase, here are some things to consider:

  • Type of service: do you want to provide a print-on-demand 3D printing service, or do you want to focus on providing classes and tutorials for patrons, where a staff member will print out the jobs for the patrons. 
    • If you decide to offer an on-demand printing service, you will need to determine not only cost, but how you will communicate with the patrons about their job. Will they fill out a form to request a print? Who will email them? What is the policy for jobs that are not picked up? These are just a few questions to discuss.
  • Location of the 3D printer, or printers: will these printers be out on the public floor for patrons to view? If so, you will need an enclosure around your printer and a spot in your library where the sound will not bother your patrons.
  • Cost of service: many libraries charge per gram for filament, and per mL for resin; depending on the cost of your filament, you can charge anywhere from 5-20 cents per gram, with the resin likely costing a bit more
    • It might also be best to have your patrons pick up their finished 3D prints at your Circulation or similar desk so that they can easily pay for their job 
  • Staff: who will operate and maintain your 3D printer? This is actually the most important factor in your research stage. Your staff will have to be trained on every aspect of using the 3D printer, and be able to troubleshoot basic problems. You also want to be sure you have enough staff trained to meet the potential demand of your community.

3D Scanning Basics

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If you are looking to expand your 3D printing services, or want to offer a comprehensive service right off the bat, you might want to consider offering 3D scanning. 3D scanning can provide you and your patrons with the ability to 3D print objects and items that might not be available through websites like Thingiverse or cannot be easily replicated in a CAD program and can also be useful in digitizing objects. You can even scan an object and put it in virtual reality!

About 3D Scanning Technology

Most 3D scanners use laser or structured light technology to digitally scan and form an object that can then be viewed, edited, and printed, but there are other ways to scan. However, all types of 3D scanning have a base method of scanning. During the 3D scanning process, tons of reference points are created at different locations, and then merged together to create the three-dimensional scan. 3D scanning is used predominantly in prototyping, reverse engineering, and digitizing. However, some patrons might find it useful if they are trying to replicate an object or part. For example — a part of a broken blind or shade.

Common 3D Scanning Techniques
• Structured light scanning: Uses white or LED light and a camera to scan. The light and camera work together to obtain multiple angles of the object, which you can then edit and piece together in its accompanying software.
• Laser scanning: Probably the most precise and detail-oriented process. Users small laser beams and a camera to find and scan objects. The camera finds the location of the laser beam, and takes images from there, merging them to create an editable object.
• Photogrammetry. This process uses a handheld camera to take images from different angles of the object, then stitches the images together. Photogrammetry can provide quick, accurate detailing, but the quality of the photos can be questionable, and sometimes considerable editing is required.

The types of 3D scanning used in libraries can vary. Here are just a few options:
• Mobile app: Yes, you might be able to 3D scan an object with just an app…and a piece of white printer paper. Mobile app scanning uses a 3D scanning process called While convenient and easy, it does not always yield quality or usable results. The piece of printer paper is necessary to get a clean scan. Generally a grid pattern is printed out onto the paper for a cleaner scan.
• Handheld scanner: A handheld 3D scanner allows the user to control its movements and area scanning. The scanner is connected directly to a laptop or desktop computer. The user will move the scanner around the entire object to capture all of its side, and can watch on the computer how well the object is being scanned. Handheld scanners provide good scans, and are convenient and easy to use. However, because a user is controlling the scanning process, they provide less accurate scans and only decent quality.
• Stationary scanner: Stationary scanners are more stable than handheld scanners, and provide accurate, detailed scans. Stationary scanners also connect to a laptop or desktop computer, and usually come with an attached tripod or arm that is fixed to the scanner itself, and a platform where the object is placed. This platform is either turned by the scanner or the user. Stationary scanners are not particularly mobile, and might not always capture every aspect of an object.

Most 3D scanner manufacturers provide software that will allow you to edit and save your file. A 3D scanned object is not necessarily going to scan perfectly, so it’s important to learn the features of this software to properly analyze and fix minor issues that occurred during the scanning process. There are also open-source programs available to help smooth out rough edges and fill in small holes in a 3D scanned file. Once you are satisfied with your file, you will be able to export it as an STL or OBJ and prepare it for printing.

Tips & Tricks for 3D Scanning

• 3D objects scan best in darkness and a white background, and in a place with little movement. If you’re looking to incorporate 3D scanning into your library, it’s good to know in advance where you might want to use your 3D scanner, and prepare that space.
• Dark and shiny objects can sometimes be difficult to scan. A dusting of white chalk on the entire object can help make these objects more visible.
• Prepare for a lot of trial and error! Be sure to check the forums and other communities for more detailed tips and tricks
• 3D scanning is great for digitizing older or even outdoor objects. It is a process that is used in museums, but could be useful for other libraries as well.
• It’s important to know that 3D scanning is not a perfect science. Not every object will scan properly, and scanning can take hours to complete. As always, be sure to research your options and be prepared for some major trial and error.

3D Printing Software (Cura)

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Understanding your 3D printing software is just as important as understanding your printer. Your software can ultimately make or break your actual print. You might wind up using the software that is recommended by your printer’s manufacturer, but no matter your decision, there are essential parts of 3D printing software. It is helpful to know other software options that you can recommend or offer to patrons. Here are just a few options:
• Cura
• TinkerCad (a web-based 3D design service)
• SketchUp
• Fusion360
• And more!

For the purposes of this guide, we will be using Cura. Your software will look different, but many of the terms and concepts will be the same. First, let’s go over some important terms:
• Overhang
• Supports
• Infill
• Infill Pattern
• Speed
• Build Plate Adhesion
• Slice
• Cut

With some 3D printing programs, you will have to select the printer you’re working with, as well as the filament you’re using. Always take these two actions first before you import a file so that you are working with the proper amount of space, and the proper settings. Once you have taken these two steps and loaded your file, you can get started!

It is important to work carefully, and look out for any potential issues with the file you’re working with. For example, you could be working with an object that has text, but the text might not be completely attached to its base. In this case, if you missed and didn’t correct this problem by adding more supports, the print would fail. Sometimes, there are problems you just can’t see that lead to failed prints, but you can always start again, or reach out to the patron and explain the issues you are having.

3D printing programs will provide you with a scaled down workspace that can be moved to see every angle of your 3D file. Each program will have icons you can use to select a different view (Front, Top, Right, Left), but you can also use the left or right click of your mouse as well. When your design is loaded up, you just need to select it with your mouse to get started. From there, the following basic options — and more — will be available to you:
• Rotate
• Move
• Scale

When your design is the proper size and rotation, you can move on to adding a brim/skirt and supports, or make changes to the print settings. You can choose to have supports just come from the build plate only for a little extra stability, or you can have supports placed everywhere around the design. This choice will depend on the thickness of the design, and whether it has a lot of overhangs. Many programs allow you to control how thick your supports or as well; or they will auto-generate supports.

When you are satisfied with your changes, you will need to slice your print. Your program should have an option available that simply says “Slice.” Once this process is complete, you will be able to see a digital preview of how your print will look. Rotate your view around to be sure everything looks good.

You will also see approximately how long your print will take and how much filament it will use — this is an important number for pricing out how much your will charge the patron for their print.

Your final step will be to either send over your file wirelessly to your chosen 3D printer, or to save the Gcode to an SD or USB drive (depending on what your printer takes). All that’s left to do from here is start your print!