Basic modelling for 3D printing

In recent years, 3D printing has become an accessible production technology for everyone thanks to very affordable and high-performing printers. Through numerous websites, anyone can download 3D models of any kind (from design objects to functional ones) and print them, having a finished product in their hands within a few hours. However, we believe that the true potential of this technology is only realized by learning to model our own objects, thus turning the printer into a tool for concretizing abstract ideas. The course consists of two parts: the first part is dedicated to introducing the basic modeling commands using the Rhino 3D program, and in the second part, participants will dive directly into the world of 3D modeling with a workshop where they will model a chosen object that will then be printed.

Michele Blaser and Lucia Thea Zanti

As first-year MSc students at the Academy of Architecture, we are daily immersed in 3D modeling programs that we have learned to master over the years. We believe that 3D printing is one of the most promising technologies of this historical period and that it can have applications in various fields beyond architecture. We would like to give people the opportunity to learn about these new technologies that are becoming increasingly prevalent. We have two 3D printers that we would like to make available for the course in order to demonstrate the entire production process.