What do I do when I get my printer?

I do also wonder about the speed and compatible software to use. AutoCAD, 3D Studio?
Exciting times.

 

I was so hoping I could put "plug it in and turn it on" but you covered that... darn thinking of responses just from the titles.


Any who...

Harry thanks for the forum, now I can stop trolling the comments section on kickstarter...

From my experience with my reprap, that is about what you need to start. A computer might help too (yes I know you knew that). As to post processing, I would say that all depends on the finish you want on the piece you printed. You can sand down the ridges to make them smooth, or with abs you can use acetone to smooth them out (haven't tried it yet since my tinkering has messed up my Prusa and I need to find time to fix it), you can drill and ream out the holes you printed if you need a 100% perfect hole, or you can pick the piece up off the print bed and play with it. My guess is the first few parts you will print will be something fun you will play with and show off to those in your life that still can't grasp a 3D printer... no matter how many youtube videos you show them.

You shouldn't have much or any extra filament, that is the beauty of additive manufacturing. I know on my Prusa I keep a pair of tweezers handy in case I need to grab the extra filament that isn't sticking to the bed at the start of the print, but once it sticks you don't need them much.

As to how long, that depends on the printer and print, hopefully it will be fast and high resolution, but a lot of it will be getting to know your machine.

I would think any design program that can do 3D design and export to STL will work. Or you can look around on www.thingiverse.com for somethings to print.

And on a side note, I'm just a backer and don't know anymore than what I can figure out from the kickstarter page... granted I do have some experience with 3D design and 3D printers.

Sorry for being long winded )

 

Harry, thanks for putting the User Forum together.

I found the Maker: Ultimate Guide to 3d Printing worth the $6.00. I think Barnes & Noble had it too with free shipping.
http://www.amazon.com/Make-Ultimate-Guide-3D-Printing/dp/1449357377

 

I got that free with my MAKE subsciption, not a bad read if you can get it cheap, but most of the info is online for free but then again it doesn't look as good as the magazine on your coffee table or desk at work

 

@bringjustin - I agree... There probably isn't much in it that isn't in this list. Still it's a good 3d printing for dummies.

 

I tend to have little regard for printed material when I take up an obscure hobby (and I have a lot of obscure hobbies). It takes a bit more work, but the value of Google and forums like this one cannot be overstated.