Tutorial - How to Make Stunning 3D Prints with 3D Texture

Since SOLIDWORKS 2022 came out, I accept been obsessed with the 3D texture function. 3D texturing has been used in more art-focused 3D modeling programs similar Maya or 3DS Max for a long fourth dimension, only never before in a mechanically-focused program like I'chiliad used to. Sometimes this function is referred to every bit "deportation mapping".

Tutorial on how to utilize 3D texture to make 3D prints look astonishing

I love 3D texturing because it makes your 3D prints await amazing, and it helps hide the layer lines. Sometimes the printed part needs to include features like knurling which is very complicated to model, not to mention it's not something that usually gets modeled anyway. SOLIDWORKS makes it really easy to utilise them to your models. Allow's walk step-by-stride through the procedure of making these awesome 3D prints.

3D prints with 3D texturing applied

Pace 1: Find or Brand an Image for your 3D Texture

Some images work improve than others. Greyscale heightmap images are preferred by SOLIDWORKS merely any black and white image should work. SOLIDWORKS uses the colors to place the displacement in those areas. Larger paradigm files will tend to have longer for SOLIDWORKS to procedure.

example images that are good for 3D texturing
The best images for 3D texturing are black and white

Step 2: Select faces you want to 3D texture

Select the faces you want to apply the texture to. I'chiliad using a uncomplicated block for this tutorial, and selecting both flat and curved surfaces.

Step 3: Select Paradigm & Create Advent

Select the epitome from your reckoner to apply to the face up. SOLIDWORKS volition want y'all to save it as a new appearance file. Do that. If the image is already saved into your design library, then SOLIDWORKS will not enquire you to save a new appearance file.

Stride 4: Adjust Advent

You lot can choose different types of appearance placement and mapping on each face. I like to employ "automated", and "project" most often. Apartment faces are easy, but curved surfaces get more complicated. The "surface" mapping tends to work best with curved surfaces while "project" is all-time for flat faces. Y'all can calibration, rotate and position the image pretty hands.

image appearance mapping settings
Use the circled settings to adjust how the image looks on the model's faces.

Step 5: Create 3D Texture

Get to Insert>Feature>3D Texture.


Insert>Feature>3D Texture

Every face that has the paradigm applied to it will have a cheque box next to it. If you desire every face with an epitome appearance on it to exist textured, then cheque every box. So, we can set the level of detail we want for each face, and the amount of offset. I similar to utilize roughly lx% definition-or "detail", and 0.5mm offset from the surfaces. Past default, lighter colors will extrude from the model'south surface, while blackness volition stay in line with the surface unless you turn off the option called "white up black down".

3d texture settings
Use the circled settings to arrange the detail ("texture refinement") and depth ("texture offset distance") of your 3D texture.

Conclusion

Ane thing to continue in listen with this technique, is that 3D textures come up out better when they're on vertical surfaces of your impress. That fashion, we tin can get the near particular out of the textured surfaces by press in small layer heights.

I've been using this awesome feature a lot over the past few months to add detail to 3D prints and hide the layer lines. I think it could be very helpful for anyone who wants to 3D print end-use parts that look nice. For anyone making prototypes, this technique can create a model that looks and feels more similar the final production.

3D prints with 3D texture

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