Preparing a 123d Design file for the Cube 3D Printer: Printing a Personalized Keychain

Key points to understand: SOFTWARE WHAT IT CREATES ESSENTIAL PURPOSE

Autodesk 123d Design creates a .smb file Creates a digitized 3D model. Autodesk 3D Print Utility converts .smb file to

.stl file

Converts to a standard 3D model file that can be used with almost any 3D modeling software or 3D printer.

Cube Client converts .stl to .cube file

Checks for printability and prepares the file for printing on the Cube.

Modifying A Previously Created 3D Model Template File

1. Using the Google Chrome browser, open the 123d Design app. 2. On the Welcome Screen, login to the app so that you can save your design. 3. On the Welcome Screen, click on “Quick-­‐Start Templates,” click on “Keychain,” and click

on “Start with Selected Example.” (Alternatively, go to main menu, click “Open,” and click on “Open an Example” to navigate to the template files.)

4. On your design screen, double click on the text of the keychain and type your desired text

into the object field at the bottom of the screen.

5. Deselect the text by clicking off of it (onto the blue grid area). 6. Select the entire object by simultaneously pressing COMMAND + A (Mac) or CTRL +A

(Windows) on your keyboard. 7. Select the “Precise Scale” toll from the top menu.

8. Using the grin as guide, click on a corner and drag the object to scale it smaller (about 3

inches in length). Click the blue OK button to confirm the scale changes.

Type Here

9. You will notice that the object is now misaligned:

10. Use the “Zoom to Cursor” tool to zoom in on your object for better visibility.

11. Select the large section of the design and align it with the small section (pressing the up

arrow on your keyboard will move the piece). Now your keychain should be aligned correctly (you may need to align it manually. Speak to your instructor if you need assistance).

12. Select the entire object by simultaneously pressing COMMAND + A (Mac) or CTRL + A

(Windows) on your keyboard.

13. Copy the object by simultaneously pressing COMMAND + C (Mac) or CTRL + A

(Windows) on your keyboard. 14. You now have the object stored and can paste in copies by pressing COMMAND + V (Mac)

or CTRL + V (Windows).

15. When you paste, the object is already selected:

16. Create one copy per member (4 or 5 Keychains) of your team and arrange them within a

3-inchx3-inch space:

17. Click the “Save” button at the top of the menu bar and fill out the “Save Project” screen

that appears, the click the blue “Save” button.

18. Wait patiently for the file to save.

Convert 123d Design File to a “.stl” File format 19. Click on your Login ID in the top right corner and open “My Projects”

20. Click to open your keychain project information.

21. Click “Fabricate” then “3D Print at Home” (this action opens Autodesk 3D Print Utility

that converts the 123d Design .smb file to a universal .stl file).

22. In Autodesk Print Utility make the following settings to prepare your file:

The Cube 3D Printer is not an available option; however, the Makerbot is similar enough. Be sure that the materials section has PLA plastic chosen because that will regulate the temperature of the Printer’s nozzle (don’t want it too hot or too cold.)

23. Click “Save” and save the file with an easy to recognize name in one of your folders. 24. Close Autodesk Print Utility window.

Convert the “.stl” File to a “.cube” File for printer on the Cube 3D Printer 25. Open up “Cube” software. Your instructors can help locate it.

26. Click on “Settings” at the bottom of the screen and make the follow settings:

27. Click “Import” from the top of the menu bar and navigate to choose your completed

keychain .stl file. Another pop-­‐up window will ask you if the file is in mm (millimeters) and you should click “Yes.” You will see your design appear on the grid.

28. Click on “Heal” to check for any major errors in the file and when you see a pop-­‐up

confirming that it is fine, click “ok.”

29. For future reference, the “Orient & Scale” and “Center” features can be used to modify your

design’s placement on the grid; however, you will not need them for this tutorial. 30. Click on “Build” to create a .cube file that the Cube 3D printer can recognize. It will

prompt you to save the .cube file to your folder. *NOTE: Be sure that PLA is part of the file

name so that you can confirm the plastic setting is for PLA (remember that deals with the temperature control and we want to be REALLY careful not to use the wrong temperature).

31. When you click OK, another pop-­‐up window will notify you that the build process was

successful and will give you an estimate for how long the print should take.

Print in Three-Dimensions 25. Save the .cube version of your keychain file to a USB Flash Drive. 26. At the workstation, plug in your USB Flash Drive to the Cube 3D Printer (be sure it is

turned on). 27. Lightly press the large round button on the Cube to navigate to the start menu. (*NOTE:

This button has three functions 1-­‐ hold and press firmly to turn on, 2-­‐ hold and press firmly to turn off or 3-­‐ lightly press to use as a back button to navigate back through the menu on the touchpad.)

28. On the touchpad, press “Print”

29. Prepare the glass printing plate by applying the Cube Stick lightly and evenly. (*NOTE: Applying too much results in the plastic filament not being able to stick in place and ruins your print. Not enough makes it difficult to remove the completed object from the glass printing plate.) Once you have done this, press “Next” on the touchpad.

30. Navigate to your file by using the left and right arrows on the touchpad. When you find your file, touch the filename to begin printing.

31. The touchpad screen will now show you the progress of the print (height and time) and will continue to warn you that the print head and print pad are hot and should not be touched until the touchpad indicates that the print is finished. If you discover that you need to stop the print, simply touch the stop sign icon on the touchpad and confirm that you wish to stop.

32. After the design has finished printing, gently lift the printing plate glass from the printer.

Place print pad with the creation in a container filled with regular warm tap water and let soak approximately five minutes or until your creation becomes free from the print pad. Use plastic spatula to gently release from printing plate. Clean and dry print pad before next use.