Digitising Nature

Project 3D Scanning

In this project, you will be digitising nature using 3D scanning technologies, before turning the digital data into 3D printed jewellery pieces. After learning about 3D scanning and digital manipulation techniques, you’ll use a design method called visual combinations to gather feedback from a certain target audience to inform your jewellery designs, which are brought to life through an iterative process. View the project details below and start a free trial to PrintLab today!

 

Project Difficulty

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This project is rated as intermediate and is suitable for all those who have moderate-strong skills in 3D design and 3D printing, as well as foundational knowledge of 3D scanning.

Project Length

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The estimated project length is 6 hours, excluding any 3D printing time. This estimate includes designing and making an initial jewellery piece plus time for evaluating and creating a final set of pieces. The project can be run in shorter or longer periods of time depending on the number of iterations you choose to make. We recommend breaking the project up into multiple sessions (e.g. 6 x 1 hour sessions), which will allow you to 3D print necessary objects between sessions.

Equipment Required

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To participate in this project, you will require:

  • A laptop or computer with Meshmixer software (free).
  • A software or web application to create a digital portfolio. We recommend using Google Slides as we provide a portfolio template in this format.
  • Access to a 3D scanner (see ‘3D Scanning Options’) section for further details, including an alternative way to participate in the project without a 3D scanner).
  • Access to a 3D printer and 3D printing material.
  • Paper printer and scissors.
  • A device to capture images of your design process to insert into the project portfolio.

Additional materials may be required depending on the design methods you use when developing your solution.

2 website screens showing the learning platform for PrintLab's digitising nature project.

The Learning Platform

The project learning platform takes you through the full iterative design process using a variety of media - from explainer videos and Meshmixer 3D design tutorials to design method instructions and more.

4 example portfolio template slides from PrintLab's digitising nature project.

The Portfolio

As you move through each stage of the project, we guide you in filling in a Google Slides template to document your design process - resulting in a beautiful and professional portfolio of work.

The Outcome

Our teaching methodology is focused around creative freedom. By using various research, design and evaluation methods, you'll learn how to create jewellery pieces that are completely unique!

A website screen showing the teacher instructions pop down menu from PrintLab's digitising nature project.

Teacher Resources

With our education licenses, you can generate a share link to give your students access to the project learning platform. Each section of the platform also has a teacher instructions tab, which provides you with step-by-step lesson plan instructions, curriculum alignment resources and an assessment rubric.


 

Ready to Get Started?

This project is available to subscribers of PrintLab. Learn more about our license options and start a free trial today to access a whole range of resources across the fields of 3D printing, 3D design, assistive technology, product design and STEM.

 

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