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=== Designing 3D Models ===
=== Designing 3D Models ===
There are several types of modeling operations. Some software manipulates simple shapes like spheres or cubes, pushing and pulling on control points until the desired shape is achieved. Other software uses 2D sketches to extrude or rotate shapes.
After the part is modeled it needs to be turned into commands the 3D printer can recognize, a step called 'slicing' since it turns the solid shape into a series of paths and printer commands to move and start and stop the extruder, that build up the part layer by layer. The final step in 3D modeling, then, is to save the part in a format that the slicing software can recognize. Common formats include STL, but vary depending on the specific software and workflow you will be using.
=== Saving a copy of the file for printing ===
In addition to the native file format (whatever your 3D modeling program uses) 3D models for printing should be saved for printing, in the STL format (binary or ascii).
After the part is modeled it needs to be turned into commands the 3D printer can recognize, a step called 'slicing' since it turns the solid shape into a series of paths and printer commands to move and start and stop the extruder, that build up the part layer by layer. The final step in 3D modeling, then, is to save the part in a format that the slicing software can recognize. Common formats include STL, but may vary depending on the specific software and workflow you will be using.