3D Printed Goldilocks and the Three Bears

3D printed Goldilocks and The Three Bears

Step 1: Step 1: Visit Tinkercad.com !

WooHoo!! If your reading this it means you are looking to create a DIY children's book using simple 3D printing and at home arts and crafts supplies.

To begin, you will need to set up an account on tinkercad.com

Once you start your new 3D printing project there will be thousands of ideas and options you can choose from. For this example, we will be re-creating a version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. This classic story is a great opportunity to get creative and innovative with young children by introducing new technology to traditional arts and crafts.

In regards to Tinkercad, you will need to look at the right screen window and select basic shapes to begin your artwork.

This is a low-cost activity/project that anyone can do with access to the following items

Materials needed:

Computer

3D printer

printer paper

glue

staples

colored pencils

Optional:

String

Fake fur

Doll hair

Fabric

Step 2: Step 2: Drawing Your Characters

If you selected the scribble option you will be directed to a plain drawing surface where you can use your mouse to drag and create the character of your choice.

The other shape options may come out cleaner but it is more original and authentic to draw your own version.

To make papa bear:

Draw a large circle for the head and two small circles for ears on top

Draw a large oval below the head to create the body

To finish add two more smaller circle for hands and feet.

To make mama bear:

Draw a medium circle for the head and two small circles for ears on top

Draw a medium oval below the head to create the body ( use a triangle to make a dress if you desire )

To finish add two more smaller circles for hands and feet.

To make baby bear:

Draw a small circle for the head and two small circles for ears on top

Draw a small oval below the head to create the body

To finish add two more smaller circles for hands and feet.

Step 3: Step 3: Goldilocks

To make a 3D printed goldilocks you will follow the same steps for the bears but use a different technique

To make Goldilocks:

Start by drawing a triangle for her body

On top of the triangle draw a small circle for her head and then take your drawing tool and drag out two curved lines for her long lush hair.

Finish by adding hands and feet.

Keep in mind that you can always add texture elements such as string or fabric to make the characters more visually appealing. This will also make the book more interactive as it becomes more and more of a touch and feel book.

You can purchase fake fur, fabric, or string at any local craft or office supply store.

Step 4: Step 4: Uploading and Saving Your Design

Now that you have finished your design on tinkercad.com it is now time for you to get to the most fun part!

In order to save and print your design, you will need to click on the download button as shown above.

If you need to make any last minute edits or changes you can click on Tinker this to fix anything before you save it.

The 3D print button will take you to options that will help you find a place to print your design if you need assistance. We will go into more detail about this later on.

The most important part of this step is that you save your design as an STL file. This is the only acceptable format to properly print your design. Most platforms will not accept any other file so be sure to click on this option so you do not waste time.

Now we get ready to upload!

Step 5: Step 5: 3D Printing.

As mentioned before, Tinkercad offers a few platforms to choose from on their website that offer printing and shipping services.

You may choose to select one of these but for this project, we will be using the University of Florida's Marston library Science 3D printing lab service.

This service is located inside the library on the 2nd floor to the left of the front desk. You can visit the lab in person or simply upload the design online at 3dprint.uflib.ufl.edu and select the request 3D printing tab to upload your STL file.

Simply fill out your information such as name, email, address, and phone number to complete your order.

Once you upload the STL file you can add requests such as special instructions and printing guidelines such as thickness and size.

Click continue until you reach check out and use the 3rd party payment platform cashnet offered from UF to complete your payment. This design should not cost more than $5.

Step 6: Step 6: Making Your Book!

Now that you have successfully 3D printed your storybook characters its time to get started on your book!

We will be making a pop-up book where every time you turn the page the slightly elevated characters will stay in place as the scene and words on the page change as you read through.

Start by tracing a draft of your characters onto a piece of paper.

Once you have placed and traced the characters on a landscaped piece of printer paper you start cutting out the image by following the lines. Make sure to have at least 5 sheets of paper behind your trace so you all pages will be proportionate.

You should now have 5 pages of cut out Goldilocks and the Three Bears on landscape printer paper.

You can see how as you turn the page the placement remains the same.

Glue your 3D prints on the back page and then staple them all together!

Step 7: Step 7: Story Time!

Now that your book basics bases have been covered it's time for the arts and crafts to begin.

Feel free to get creative with your story and personalize it to make it your own.

Cover:

Utilize the cover page to set the scene in the forest by drawing a cozy house around your characters and filling in the remaining space with the skyline and trees.

First page:

Introduce the story by drawing 3 bowls of porridge by Goldilocks and the bears entering their living room. ( This is optional you can create whatever scene you would like but for this instructable, we will stick to the traditional story)

Second page:

Draw three chairs around Goldilocks

One big chair one medium chair and one small chair.

Draw the kitchen around the bears so they see their porridge has been touched by an unwanted visitor.

Third page:

Draw one large bed one medium bed and one small bed by Goldilocks and make sure they are unmade and messy.

Keep the bears in the doorway as they search for the intruder.

Fourth page:

Keep all four characters in the bedroom to stage the scene where they discover Goldilocks sleeping in baby bear's bed.

Fifth page:

Draw the forest and entryway of the cottage to stage goldilocks fleeing the home out of fright.

As mentioned this is just a traditional guideline feel free to add and change whatever you like!

Step 8: Step 8: the Final Product!

Glue on any last minute details such as fabric or string using glue or tape.

Sign your book as the author and illustrator and enjoy!