You have your 3D printer, you're printing other people's models. But if you want to bring your own ideas to life, you need to learn 3D modeling. At first glance, it can seem intimidating - complex interfaces, hundreds of buttons, technical terms... But don't worry! With the right tools and approach, anyone can learn 3D modeling.
In our previous article, we learned what 3D scanning is and how it works. Now we're getting to the really exciting part: What can we do with this technology? Where are the limits of transferring the physical world to digital?
You're producing great parts with 3D printing. But having to do CAD modeling from scratch every time is exhausting. What if you have a physical object in hand and want its digital copy? This is exactly where 3D scanning comes into play.
You started with PLA, captured detail with resin, printed functional parts. But now you want more: real metal parts, ceramic objects, composite structures... 3D printing technology is no longer limited to plastic. From industrial applications to space technology, from medical implants to artworks, advanced materials are opening new doors.
You got your resin printer, your first prints are successful. Now a new question arises: Which resin should I use? Dozens of different resin types on store shelves - standard, tough, flexible, dental, castable... Each with different colors, properties, and prices.
You have your FDM printer, you've made the settings, your first prints are successful. Now the biggest question comes: Which filament should I use? Dozens of different plastic types on the shelves, each with different colors and properties... PLA, ABS, or PETG? Or TPU, Nylon, even carbon fiber reinforced composites?
You started with FDM printers, made several successful prints, and you're satisfied with the results. But something bothers you: layer lines. You want that perfectly smooth surface, fine details, crystal-clear transparent parts. This is exactly where resin printers come into play.
When you're thinking about buying a 3D printer, the first technology you'll encounter is probably FDM. But why? Because FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) is the most accessible, widespread, and user-friendly technology in the 3D printing world.
In the early 2020s, designers in an engineering office would spend weeks creating a new product prototype. Today, that same prototype comes to life overnight on a device sitting on their desks. The technology behind this revolutionary change: 3D manufacturing.
