2. Digital bodies¶
Research & Ideation¶
References & Inspiration¶
I wanted to create a low-poly hand that could double as a jewelry stand. My goal is to ensure I make items that I’ll actually use. My idea was to use leftover 3D filament to make a flat sheet, which I could then laser cut into the shape of a hand
Process and workflow¶
To create my 3D model of a hand, I used the Creality printer app with my Creality Ender 3 V3 KE 3D printer. I wanted this model to serve both as a functional jewelry stand and a decorative piece, so I adjusted the design and settings accordingly.
Tools¶
For my first attempt, I imported a file from Thingiverse and modified it to fit my specific needs. Since I intended the hand model mainly as a decoration, I aimed to keep it as lightweight as possible by setting the infill to 0. This setting ensured that the model would have no internal structure, making it both light and quick to print. The printing process took about 2.5 hours. The finished hand turned out just as I hoped, with all the details intact and a very light weight.
Version 2¶
For the second version, I used the “hollow” setting with a 2 mm wall thickness, again setting the infill to 0. Although this increased the printing time to about 4.5 hours, the result was a more durable model. The details were crisp, and the hand felt sturdy, yet still lightweight.
Display and Uses¶
I’m planning to use a few of these hand models as jewelry stands, but they also serve as seasonal decorations. For Halloween, I displayed a few of them in front of the house, inspired by the eerie aesthetic of Stranger Things. Moving forward, I plan to expand the display by adding other body parts for an even more striking effect.
The Hands¶
I chose a glow-in-the-dark filament for these hand models, partly for its unique effect and partly because it’s one of the few options I’ve found that’s less harmful to the environment. However, I’m mindful of using it sparingly, both to minimize waste and to ensure I’m only creating items I’ll keep and reuse, not things that might end up discarded.
Due to the printer settings I selected—like the 0 infill and thinner walls—the final pieces turned out slightly translucent. This gave them a subtle, less intense glow that I really liked. Instead of being overwhelmingly bright, the glow added a soft, ambient effect, which fit perfectly with the decorative purpose.
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Fabrication files¶
ingredients
- xxx gr madder root
- xxx gr alum
- xxx gr fabric
- xxx ml xxx
- xxx gr xxx