6. Computational Couture¶
What is 3D Printing? 🖨️
3D printing is a technology that lets us create objects layer by layer from a digital model. In fashion, it enables us to produce intricate designs, custom-fit clothing, and even sustainable pieces with minimal waste! 🌍💡
🌐 Introduction¶
Computational Couture combines technology and creativity to shape garments that are entirely unique and perfectly tailored. By leveraging 3D printing, we redefine what’s possible in fabric and form, crafting pieces that are both innovative and eco-friendly. 🌱
🛠️ Methodology¶
Here's how we go from code to clothing:
- Design Software: Using Blender,Rhinoceros (Rhino) with Grasshopper, FreeCAD and other programs.
- Algorithmic Patterns: Generating unique patterns and structures with algorithms.
- 3D Printing Process:
- Material selection (recyclable filaments 🌍)
- Layer-by-layer printing for precision and durability
References & Inspiration¶
Now, let’s look at some inspiring examples from popular fashion designers who are leading the way in 3D-printed fashion! 👗✨
Tools¶
Process and workflow¶
For my first shape, I began by searching for inspiration to guide the design. I wanted something with fluid lines and a sense of movement, so I focused on shapes that felt dynamic and balanced.
Creating My Design: Step-by-Step Process with 3ds Max and Blender¶
Since I have experience with 3ds Max, I decided to try combining it with Blender to create something unique. I opened up 3ds Max and jumped right into designing, but first, I watched a bunch of tutorials to refresh my skills and pick up new techniques. I wanted to find creative solutions that would really make my project stand out. Here, I’m going to share my process step-by-step, showing how I built my own object from scratch.
🌊 Waving Circle Shape Creation
Step 1: Setting Up the Plane 📐 1. Create a Plane – Start by adding a simple plane in 3ds Max. 2. Add Segments – Increase the plane’s segments to prepare it for further transformations.
Step 2: Adding Modifiers ⚙️ To create a dynamic, waving shape, we’ll apply some modifiers:
- Twist Modifier 🌀
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Add a spiraling effect by applying the Twist modifier. This adds movement and makes the shape feel more organic.
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Bend Modifier ➰
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Use the Bend modifier to bend the plane into a circular form. Adjust the angle and direction to get the wave-like shape you want.
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Shell Modifier 🧊
- Apply the Shell modifier to give thickness to the object. Now, it’s more than just a flat surface!
Step 3: Converting to Editable Poly 🎨 After adding modifiers, convert the object to an Editable Poly to work directly with individual polygons.
Step 4: Extruding Polygons 🛠️ 1. Select Polygons – Choose specific polygons in the shape for extrusion. 2. Use Extrude Tool – Extrude the selected polygons to add depth and levels to the design.
Once my model was ready, I exported it and uploaded it to Blender for some changes. I really liked the shape, but I wanted to adjust the measurements. To do this, I used parameters, which made a big difference! ⚙️✨ I applied geometry nodes to change the geometry and used a subdivision surface to smooth everything out. 🔄🌟 This process taught me how useful these tools are for improving designs and making them just right.
And here you can see my model!✨✨
🌟 Blender Geometry Node Workflow: Model 2¶
To create my object, I started with a Circle as the base shape for all my manipulations. Using a simple shape like a circle gave me a clean foundation to build on, and it allowed me to experiment with different geometry nodes more effectively. Here’s how I set it up! 👇
🎬 Group Input Node I started with the Group Input node, which brings in the original shape I’m working with. Think of it as the starting point for all the magic that’s about to happen! ✨
🔍 Subdivide Mesh Node Next, I used the Subdivide Mesh node to make the geometry smoother and add more detail. I set the Level to 4, which means it adds a lot of extra vertices, making the shape super refined. This helps when I want to apply textures or distortions later. More subdivisions = more control! 🎨
⬆️ Extrude Mesh Node Then, I added the Extrude Mesh node to give the shape some thickness. I set it to Faces mode, which means each face of my object gets extruded individually.🚀
🧙♂️ Magic Texture Node Next, I added a Magic Texture node to make the pattern even more interesting! I set the Depth to 3, which adds layers to the texture, and Distortion to 2.3 to make the pattern a bit wavy and random. It adds a kind of magical, unpredictable vibe to the object! 🌀
📐 Combine XYZ Node To control where the textures appear, I used a Combine XYZ node. Here, I entered specific values for X, Y, and Z (X: -1, Y: 3.7, Z: 78.9). This helps me place the textures exactly where I want them, adding even more customization! 🔧
🎉 Group Output Node Finally, I connected everything to the Group Output node. This sends my modified shape out of the node network, and I can see the final result in Blender’s 3D viewport. 🙌
💎 Converting to Mesh and Adding Holes
At the end, I converted the object to mesh so I could add more details to make it look like jewelry. I used the Boolean tool to create holes in the shape. ✨
And here it is — my final model! 💫 I really enjoyed experimenting with Blender’s geometry nodes to transform a simple circle into something unique and intricate. This process taught me a lot about customization and creativity in 3D design.
How I Make a Pattern in 3ds Max 🧵✨¶
In this guide, I'm excited to share how I create a pattern in 3ds Max for 3D printing!
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Create a Square Plane I started by creating a square plane in 3ds Max. This will serve as the base for my pattern! 🟦
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Add Segments Next, I added segments to the plane to increase its complexity. This gives me more vertices to work with later. ➕✨
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Apply the Tessellation Modifier After that, I applied a tessellation modifier and chose the "Polygons" option. This step really enhances the surface detail of my plane! 🎨
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Edit Mesh I converted the object to an Editable Mesh. This allows me to manipulate the geometry more easily! 🔧
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Move Vertices Finally, I selected the vertices and moved them along the Z-axis. This is crucial for adding dimension and creating the unique shape of my pattern! ⬆️🔍
By following these steps, I created a dynamic pattern ready for further design and 3D printing! 🎉
Creating an Armenian Carpet with 3D Printing on Fabric 🧶✨¶
In collaboration with Elen, we embarked on an exciting project to create an Armenian carpet using 3D printing techniques on fabric. Our goal was to merge traditional Armenian craftsmanship with modern technology, bringing a unique design to life. 🏵️ Elen was particularly passionate about the idea of incorporating traditional patterns into a 3D-printed format. We decided to use a carpet illustration I created about a year ago. This design would serve as a great foundation, blending Armenian heritage with contemporary methods. 🎨
Step 1: Preparing the Illustration We opened the carpet illustration in Adobe Illustrator. After refining the design, we saved the file as an SVG.
2: Importing into Blender Next, we imported the SVG file into Blender, which enables us to work with vector graphics seamlessly. Once imported, we extruded the design to add depth and dimension to our carpet model. This transformed our 2D design into a tangible 3D object! 💻
Using Cura for 3D Printing Setup 🖨️¶
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how I set up my first object in Cura, tweaking the settings for an optimized print!
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Uploading the Object: First, I uploaded my 3D model into Cura. 📂
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Adjusting Rotation & Position: To find the best printing position, I rotated the model and used the "Lay Flat" option. This ensures it sits in the most stable way on the print bed, minimizing supports and enhancing print quality.
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Print Settings Tweaks: Layer Height: I set the layer height to 0.2mm. This value provides a good balance between detail and print speed, creating smooth layers without taking too long. 🕰️ Initial Layer Height: Also set to 0.2mm, as it was suggested to ensure a sturdy foundation for the print. This first layer height helps with bed adhesion and sets a strong base for the rest of the print.
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Top/Bottom Pattern: I changed the top/bottom pattern to Concentric because it complements the round shape of my object, providing a neat finish that follows the form. This pattern keeps the design looking clean and visually cohesive. 🎨
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Printing Temperature Adjustment: I set the printing temperature to 220°C. This temperature is ideal for the material I’m using, which helps achieve smoother layer bonding and prevents any filament issues. 🌡️
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Adding Concentric Supports: Finally, I added concentric supports. This support pattern is also great for circular or organic shapes, as it follows the object’s contours closely, making removal easier and keeping the final result neat.
This setup helped me get the best results for my model! Following these steps in Cura was essential in making sure everything printed smoothly.
3D Printing Setup: Using Multiple Printers 🖨️¶
For this project, I used two different 3D printers to bring the design to life with some colorful PLA filaments. Here’s how I did it:
Printers and Filaments
- Printer 1: Anycubic i3 Mega X
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Filament: Blue Sky PLA 🌌
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Printer 2: Creality Ender 3 Pro
- Filament: Purple PLA 💜
These printers, combined with Cura settings, gave me flexibility and allowed for a vibrant final result! Here you can see the process of printing:
3D Printing Process for Object 2: Customized Settings and Filaments 🎨¶
For the second object, I adjusted my Cura settings slightly and experimented with unique PLA filaments. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Loading Saved Settings: I began by loading my saved Cura settings from the previous print, which were already optimized. 🔧
Adjusting Support Settings: I printed this object without any support, as its structure was stable enough without it.
Printer: Creality Ender 3 Pro
Filament: A unique multi-colored PLA 🌈, which added an exciting finish to the print!
The result was truly eye-catching, thanks to the filament’s color gradient. 😊
Special Printing for Fabric Application ✂️¶
For my fabric printing object, I customized a few settings for a clean print with smooth integration:
Top/Bottom Pattern Adjustment: I selected the Line pattern, which worked well with the fabric’s structure.
Support Setting: I printed this object without support to achieve a cleaner result.
Printer: Creality Ender 3 Pro
Transparent Filament: Transparent PLA, giving a subtle, almost glassy look. ✨
For the fabric printing, I used felt, which provided a sturdy base for the 3D-printed pattern to adhere smoothly.
These adjustments allowed for seamless integration on fabric, and the transparency of the PLA added a unique effect.
Here you can see the detailed steps of the printing process:
Final Print with the Creality CR-30: Unique Setup and Process 🔄¶
For the final part of our project, we used the Creality CR-30 — a 3D printer known for its continuous printing capabilities and its 45° angled print bed! This angle allowed us to produce a smooth, continuous print for our fabric-based design.
File Setup: Elen prepared the print file in Cura, making precise adjustments to match the CR-30’s specifications. ⚙️
45° Angle: Printing at this angle required careful calibration to ensure smooth layer adhesion on the fabric.
To hold the fabric in place throughout the printing process, we used: - Magnets and tape to tightly secure the fabric across the print bed. This setup was critical to prevent any movement that could misalign the pattern, as fabric behaves differently from more rigid print materials.
We chose to use orange PLA filament, which worked beautifully with our smooth, stretchable fabric, enhancing the final product's aesthetics and flexibility.
Here you can see how we set up the fabric, prepared the printer, and began the print process for optimal results using the CR-30's unique angle.
Exciting Creations Showcase 🎉¶
It's time to showcase what we've created this week! I'm thrilled to share all the objects I've made.
1. First Object: Earrings 💙💜¶
I made two vibrant blue sky color pieces for beautiful earrings, while the purple piece is saved for a stunning necklace later on. I can’t wait to see how they all come together!
2. Second Object: Necklace 💎¶
Next, I printed a piece to combine with the first purple object to create a stunning necklace. I can already imagine how they'll complement each other perfectly.
3. Third Object: Versatile Pattern 🧵¶
This piece was designed as a versatile pattern that can be incorporated into clothing, either as a pocket or a brooch. It's all about adding a touch of creativity to everyday wear!
4. Fourth Object: Experimental Design 🎨¶
Finally, I decided to experiment with the pattern we developed just for fun. This one allowed me to explore new ideas and push the boundaries of our design work.
