Those trains are pretty much just geometric shapes...very little organic type modeling. Because of that (and because you already are familiar with Sketchup), I think you'll do fine with Sketchup.

I've run into quite a few train enthusiasts 3D printing scale models, and while they don't all use Sketchup, at least some of them do.

You will need to change your approach to modeling (vs. geo-modeling)a little. Here are some starter tips to get going.

Edit: oh, and check out http://www.shapeways.com and https://i.materialise.com/ both for printing your models, and to see if some of the models you need are already for sale.

I enjoyed the explanation too, Box...guess when I kick the bucket I'll know whodunnit.

@jaxcoffee said:

I just had the president of a 3D output company called Build Parts tell me that 99.9% of the files they get from objects modeled with SketchUp don't work.

Can someone elaborate on why that may be true? I don't want to have to learn Solidworks, which seems to be the standard for 3D print output companies.

Carsten is quite right - most modelers don't care, or more importantly don't know how to make solid objects.

Your reaction is a perfect example - you are a good modeler and as long as you have been using Sketchup to make models, you didn't know what solid models are. I think this is a result of poor marketing and inadequate education from the Sketchup team.

Part of the problem also lies with Sketchup itself, where punching a circle in a face can turn a seemingly perfect model into a mess of intersecting faces and 'bad edges'.

Jack, I got my start in 3D printing using Sketchup. I've taught local Sketchup classes for 3D printing, freelanced out my design work, and one of my models graces the official Sketchup 3D printing web page. I've had good success and made some very cool projects, but I'm going to admit sometimes it was at the expense of a LOT of wasted time. Sketchup is still my favorite tool for simpler models but it still pains me at times, the most recent was this weekend creating a simple, relatively low poly part for printing.

Some things make sense to use Sketchup, while others do not. You can nearly always beat Sketchup into doing something, but what is the point if there is a better tool out there already? What are you designing in Sketchup to 3D print?

Shapeways used to offer glass that must have been printed in a similar fashion, but they discontinued it about a year ago. Might be something you could look further into.

@box said:

d12dozr, I'll let you know how they look in real life a bit later.
Yes I do make them. It a combination of flat glass lamination, grinding and polishing and some blowing, throw in a bit of gilding and some metal work and Bob's your Uncle and perhaps he knows Où est la plume de ma tante?
And still on the french note, interesting you should mention 3D printing. I've been thinking about doing some Pâte de Verre with a printer. Pâte de Verre is usually a very delicate casting using a paste of glass, which would lend itself well to a 3D printer.

Thanks for the explanation...you make it sound so easy

Re: the Pâte de Verre, there are so many possibilities with 3D printing. So were you thinking you could extrude the paste directly? ..or 3D print a mold, then apply the Pâte de Verre to that?

Nice, I bet they look even better in real life.

Glass is something I'd love to get into, especially going directly (well, with an intermediate 3D printing step) from 3D model to cast glass. Do you manufacture them? How are they made?

Do you mean .rbz?

RBZ is a newish format for installing plugins introduced in Sketchup 8. Its just a zip file with the plugin inside and can be installed in Sketchup 8 and 2013 via Preferences > Extensions.

Way cool! Brings to mind silvershadow's mind-boggling awesome eye candy ship.

Nice work Carsten.

What material did you use? Alumide? Would love to hear how long it lasts!

Thomthom wrote one: Bitmap to mesh - http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=323&t=31339

Pete, you could use a print service like Shapeways or iMaterialise... Cheaper than buying a printer, plus there is a huge range of materials. One little 3-4" model will run ~$20-30.

The home printers are pretty much a pain anyways, trying to get a decent print can take more time than modeling it and you only get one (or sometimes 2) colors. A professional color printer like the one use to print Eric's model (Stefan's design) above runs about $50K.

Thanks Eric.

With their help hollowing your model, it seems that iMaterialise helps customers with their models much more than Shapeways, whom I usually use. Good to know if I have a troublesome model.

That's pretty sweet, Eric!

Did you use textures or just SU colors?

How cool would it if if Split Donut (or something similar) was integrated into Artisan, and helped figure out the n-gon topology??

@rich o brien said:

But I love to follow this thread. One of the gems in a sea 'it won't load' topics.

+1, yes!

The thing is 3D printing is so new that there isn't a lot of training courses out there yet. My suggestion is to find a makerspace close to you and see if somebody there will help you get started. I have taught 3D design classes at a local makerspace, so maybe there is something similar near you.

A quick google search also led me to this online course: Makezine Design for 3D printing. The class is in session now, but will likely open up in the next month or so.

As for the SLS patents expiring, there's quite a lot of work before that technology becomes available for home users. There are some companies working on it, but its much harder than FDM (makerbot technology) to use so I wouldn't hold your breath for it.

If you want some one-on-one help, I'd be willing to work with you via Skype or Google Hangouts. Just shoot me a PM if that interests you.

@deanlegg said:

Also I need a course which has the machines so I can operate them

So I assume you want to use a desktop machine, like a Makerbot?

There are many kinds of 3D printers, but most of them are still expensive. A metal powder sintering machine costs over $1 million, so I think operating instructions for something like that would come from the manufacturer.

Do you also need more help on design for 3D printing?

Dean, what do you want to learn? Do you have a specific project in mind?

How acquainted are you with specific 3D printing technologies? I ask because modeling is slightly different for each kind of 3D printing.

Woot! Congrats Thom. I'm really happy to see Trimble taking on you and Chris (and likely many others) to help improve the app.

I couldn't access the site all day yesterday and part of this morning...just now seems to be working for me.