Get an overview of 3d printed models.

Before starting your 3D printing journey, we highly recommend browsing platforms with freely available 3D models! Websites like Thingiverse, Printables, and Makerworld offer thousands of designs, from practical tools to stunning art pieces. Exploring these models can be inspiring and give you a better understanding of what’s possible with 3D printing.

Learn a simple 3d modelling program and how to import models into it.

To make rapid progress, we strongly recommend learning Tinkercad first. It is a very simple but very powerful 3D modelling tool that can be used to create complex models. You should also learn how to download free models (e.g. from Thingivers, MakerWorld, Printables ...) and then import and manipulate them in Tinkercad.

Learn how to import the models into a slicer and the basic slicer settings.

Once you have become familiar with Tinkercad and can create some simple designs (coins, buttons, various ornaments, simple figures), you need to get to grips with slicing. Put simply, slicing is the process of preparing a digital object for the 3D printer. As a rule, you export your model from Tinkercad and then import it into slicer software. There you can then make a few settings (speed, density, wall thickness, etc. .... ) to determine exactly how your object should be printed.
Never spend money on slicer software! The best slicer programmes are free. It is not necessary to already own a 3D printer, it is worth playing with the slicer software beforehand.
We recommend using one of the slicers linked below. They are all very similar. If you learn how to set the basic settings in one slicer, you will only need a few minutes to become familiar with another slicer.

Find a friend or a makerspace with 3D printers.

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Try printing a pair of your own 3D models.

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Buy your own 3D printer for €200 - €600.

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Print as much as possible.

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Learn about different types of filament, experiment with PETG and TPU.

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Buy a bigger printer

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Learn about advanced slicer settings.

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Find different tools to speed up your modelling process and get to know an advanced modelling tool.

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