EndStop X

EndStop X: Example of What You Could Program Automatically This article will be about automatically generated models and their benefits. It's a well known fact that you can submit virtually any models to download on thingiverse, and the new model in this line is EndStop. Even though it was apparently not automatically generated, it is still a fully functional model with round openings that is suitable for a variety of tasks. Its round openings can be used to hold metal rods and thus the model can be used as a part of some mechanism or, most likely, a machine tool. But anyway, what is more important, this model is fairly simple, and this fact is very important when you're about to auto-generate models for 3d printers.


You might ask: do I really need to generate 3d models automatically? The answer depends pretty much on how you're going to use your 3d printer. If you only use third-party models that you download from the web, then you may not be in dire need of auto-generated stuff. But if you're planning to harness your creativity and create some sophisticated things like fancy architectural models or maybe even home-brewed machines, then you will definitely appreciate the possibility of generating such models automatically. And if you're a novice, you'd probably better start with simple stuff like this (EndStop X).

So what exactly does it take to venture into 3d model generation? The first thing that you've got to know is that it involves programming. Yes, you might probably get along without it and find some specialized tools on the internet that will do the job. But most likely, you won't, and even if you will, you will have better luck doing it by means of programming. You can take your favorite programming language for that purpose. It can be even JavaScript or PHP, but more serious languages like Java and C# are probably more suitable if you're going to create some sophisticated algorithms that manipulate data.

The first thing that you need to get is an an array of vertices and polygons. All 3d models consist precisely of that. What you do with a programming language is writing a program that creates those vertices and connects them to polygons. If you're a beginner, try doing simple stuff like generating boxes, and then try to add round openings to them. You will definitely learn a lot of useful techniques as you go, but in the beginning, it all may seem a little bit difficult and frightening. But don't worry. This particular model (EndStop X) is just one example of what you could do using such techniques. Depending on the complexity of your model, you will possibly have to resort to mathematical algorithms that generate complex shapes. But for simple models, that it unnecessary.

To sum it up, you should really consider creating your own scripts and programs for generating 3d models if you're eager to create sophisticated techie stuff with your 3d printer. Modern languages like C# as well as scripting languages like Python provide great possibilities. Unless you have no creative genius inside you, you'll be surprised how cool it really is.