Introduction: 3D Santa
I made this 3D Santa using Google Sketchup.
Step 1: Google Sketchup
1) Go to https://openclipart.org/homepage . This clipart is all in the public domain and can be used even for commercial use. Search whatever you want, in this case search "Santa". Search until you find what you like!
2) Save the image as a Small PNG image and open up SketchUp 2014 and go to edit, then import the picture you saved.
3) Trace around the image with the draw tool, select the remainder of the picture and erase it.
4) Import the picture again and now trace around the inside details, the nose, cheeks, mustache, eyes, eyebrows, and brim of the Santa hat.
5) Select the face details now and move it over to the outline of Santa, scale to fit.
6) Push and pull until it is the way you want it!
7) Then export as STL.
Step 2: Print and Paint
I printed the STL file on a Markerbot 5th Generation Replicator using clear PLA filament and used red and silver glitter nail polish to paint the details.
Step 3:
Participated in the
3D Printed Ornament Design Challenge
3 Comments
9 years ago
He's a really cute Santa, but I question calling him '3D.' 3 dimensional means that if you looked at the object from any direction, it would look just like the real object from the same direction. It means that if you walked all the way around it, you would see the same thing (just scaled down) that you would see if you walked around Santa, seeing him from all 360 degrees. In other words, if you looked at Santa from his side, you would see his profile. The distances from the front to back change. (The tip of his nose to the back of his cap would be greater than the measurement from his chin to the back of the cap.) If we look at the side of your ornament, all we see is an object whose front and back are completely flat. I don't think cutting an object from what amounts to really, really thick paper qualifies it as 3D.
Anyway, I LOVE his expression - and all the sparkles!
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
You may have missed seeing that this Santa was printed with a 3-D printer. It is made from PLA filament.
9 years ago on Introduction
He's got a great face! I love how you created the different features!