3D Printing for Architects

3D printing is a type of additive manufacturing technology where a three-dimensional

object is produced by arranging successive layers of material. 3D printing, also referred
to as rapid prototyping, is an automated technique whereby 3D objects are rapidly made
on a reasonably sized machine linked to a computer that has blueprints for the object.
The idea of 3D printing for custom manufacturing is exciting to almost everyone. This
innovative technique for creating 3D models using sinkjet technology saves cost and
time through eliminating the need to design; traditionally, glue and print jointly separate
model parts. Today with 3D printing, you can make a full model in a single procedure
using 3D printing. The fundamental principles include materials cartridges, conversion
of code into an observable pattern, and flexibility of output.

3D printing for architects is not a new concept. In architecture, 3D modeling has mostly
been for rendering and visualization purposes. 3D printing needs a watertight solid
model that involves geometric surfaces, which fit together properly; they contain no
overlaps or gaps with each feature of a solid constructed in CAD (every side of a cube
has to be modeled even if one or more of the sides will be inserted in another solid
object). Although every operation in solid modeling might produce any number of
intersecting elements or new faces, the model has to remain a solid, single body. Each
subtraction or addition of material leaves a totally joined, "watertight" solid structure in a
single part file, which is used for all manufacturing and design data.

For architects the design stage starts and ends in two-dimensions. In order to produce
3D prints the architect has to reconstruct the original 2D blueprint as a 3D model. For an
architect using 3D software to visualize designs, he/she is off to a good start and 3D
printing might very well be an issue of slight preparation as well as a few workflow
changes. For those architects who have not experimented with 3D printing or have been
hesitant to attempt the constructing of an architectural model in a modern 3D format,
and build a physical 3D model, learning to build a physical 3D model might appear
complex. Fortunately, the process of producing a 3D file and print of the architectural
concept is straightforward and can be made routine for nearly all structures

The greatest asset and biggest hurdle is a basic comprehension of 3D space as well as
its conventions as seen in contemporary 3D software. While knowledge of 2D drafting is
a valuable skill, it does not offer the means of making models in 3D space. Orientation
and translation orientation of objects, navigation of a scene, and once easy drafting will
need a bit more consideration in 3D. On the flipside, there are many advantages to
creating in 3D; for example, you are no longer restricted by the ability to envisage the
projections of 3D ideas onto a 2D drawing plane. Many features that were once
confusing or unclear in a 2D elevation view have become instantaneously
understandable by simply rotating the object as if it were in your hand.

Modeling Software
To produce the .stl files need for the 3D printing procedure, an architect will need to
choose a 3D modeling package. Usually, the choice boils down to preference because
almost every modern 3D software package has the capacity to export/import industry
standard 2D geometry (DWG, AI, DXF, etc.); the majorities have excellent
organizational and workflow tools ((i.e. layering, history). Additionally, each one has
some way of exporting either to .stl directly or to a format which can subsequently be
translated into .stl using a third party software package.

3D Printed Architectural Models

Stereolithography (SL) is commonly recognized as the first 3D printing procedure; it
was definitely the first to be commercialized. SL is a laser-based procedure that works
with photopolymer resins, which react with the laser and cure to create a solid in an
extremely precise way to create very accurate parts. It is a complex procedure, but
simply put, the photopolymer resin is held in a vat with a movable platform inside. A
laser beam is directed in the X-Y axes over the surface of the resin based on the 3D
data supplied to the machine (the .stl file), whereby the resin hardens exactly where the
laser hits the surface. After the layer is finished, the platform inside the vat drops down
through a fraction (in the Z-axis), and the laser traces out the subsequent layer. This
continues until the whole object is finished and the platform can be lifted out of the vat
for removal.

DLP (digital light processing) is a similar procedure to stereolithography in that it is a

3D printing procedure that works with photopolymers. The main difference is the light
source. DLP utilizes a more conventional source of light, for example an arc lamp, with
a deformable mirror device (DMD) or a liquid crystal display, which is applied to the
whole surface of the vat of photopolymer resin in a single pass, normally making it
faster than SL.

Creating Your Model

Most of the time an architect will be creating his/her 3D model based on some kind of
existing information but there are instances when a structure is simple enough (or
maybe the architect is designing an early concept model) that meriting the making of a
model from concept to completion completely in a 3D software package. A good place
for any architect to begin is to decide on a scale that they will construct in. As long as
the architect plans ahead and keeps their SPF size and scale factor in mind there is no
basis not to model at 1:1 scale. Modeling at 1:1 allows an architect use, as a basis, their
knowledge of common sizes for windows, ceiling heights, doors, etc. Any features that
an architect plans to build will be governed by his/her SPF size for the project

Organizational Techniques

The same organization tools that are accessible in a 2D drafting program are accessible
in most 3D design programs. These include grouping, sets, layers, as well as different
kinds of hierarchy relationships. Like most design work, there are several ways to do the
same thing; what can be achieved with layers can be similarly achieved with proper
hiding, grouping, and freezing of objects. Select a method that works for you and stick
with it. When it comes time to revise your model you will be happy you took the time to
organize your project and updates will not turn into time-consuming searches for objects
in a dizzying maze of splines and vertices.