3D Scanning & Printing

This week we were introduced to scanning device and multiple 3D printers; how to use them and make many models with them.

Group Work


In the group work, we were introduced to the 3D printers in the lab, how to use them and what are the materials used to make 3D models.

- You can find the details of the group work at Basel AlJeshis's webpage

Individual Work


For the individual work; we had to 3D print any model we like, and 3D scan.


1. 3D printing

I used the “Prusa i3 Mk2” 3D printer and printed the bedroom model that I made in week 2 using Blender.

Preparing the bedroom model and exporting it: -

The model in Blender was too heavy and would result in loong hours for 3D printing or cause printing errors; so I deleted unnecessary objects and reduced the file size then exported it as stl file.

- Reducing file size

- Exporting the bedroom file

For 3D printing the file can be exported in various formats and I tried to export it as; fbx, mtl, obj and stl. The stl format was the most suitable for my blender model and when I viewed it in the 3D printing program it did not show any errors and I went through with it


Importing the file to Cura app: -

Ultimaker Cura

Ulitmaker Cura, is an open source application that can be downloaded. It is a slicing application to prepare the models, adjust the settings and easily connect it with the 3D printer to operate.

- I uploaded the stl bedroom file in cura and modified the following settings: -

- Quality: 0.1mm

- Infill density: 20%

- Build plate adhesion: Brim

- Clicked the button "Slice" and it shpwed the estimated time: 2 hours and 24 minutes.

- The file is saved in SD card and iserted in the Prusa i3 Mk2 3D printer

3D printing process: -


- Final Result

The bedroom model has printed in black which it gave it horror them in an intrsting way.


You can download the original Blender bedrrom file by clicking here!

2. 3D scanning

For the 3D scanning I worked with my collogue Fatima, where I 3D scanned her through the following process: -

Working with the 3D scanner

1. Downloading the Skanect app.

2. Opening Skanect and go to "Prepare"> "New"

3. The scanners highlights the recognized objects in green and Fatema was showing on the screen which meant it working accordingly.

4. As the scanner processes the model is building up and can be seen on the middle on the screen.

5. After the scan is finished there were some holes on the model and it was filled by going to "Geometry"> Strategy> Closed Hull and then click on button "Run".

6. The current model is showing in grey and it can be colored by going to "Color"> "Colorize" and click on "Run".

7. After setting up all the edits we exported the file as stl format