While I was at AnimeFest I headed to a panel hosted by Dallas Marker Space, I saw a demonstration of the affordable 3D printer that the people demonstrated their. What fascinated me was the process of making 3D model into a physical model which is something I never saw before until a demonstration of the process was shown to everyone.
The process starts with a 3D model created by computer, and converted with another 3D software to make the physical model. After the process they sent the information of code to make the 3D model into a physical form.
Here's the most interesting part, the model doesn't use a die-cast system to create the model, they use a type of stringed plastic to creating a model that can fit into the machine. The plastic must heated up for it to be tangible. It is then coiled up to over and over to from the model, and the inside has to be strengthened with a honeycomb shape design inside the model.
The inside is really hollow with the honeycomb structure inside each one, and the model is not smooth on the surface, it's mostly comprised of a rough surface, but can be sanded down if you have many grits of sandpaper.
3D Printing process can be used with any 3D software including Google SketchUp, 3DS MAX, AUTODESK MAYA, and also Blender, as long as a software which can be converted into a physical model can be used to created whatever you wish.
A reminder if you plan to make something bigger than what you can place into an affordable 3D printer you'll have to print into segments.
Here are some photos that I took of while I was at the panel.
