3d Printing - Where to Begin?

[Tchail]

Last year I got on a kick and did a bunch of 3d modelling.

http://s247.photobucket.com/albums/gg12 ... modelling/

I just returned from a conference where they were showing off 3d printing systems.

And so I started thinking how cool it would be have some of these models made as 3d objects.

But I don't know where to begin.

What software is the best? I hear that most 3d printers use the .stl file format.

How much resolution should be built into the model?

(Most of the models I had built were purposely made lo-resolution to make it easier to import into game-type programs - so I know I will have to go in and add more detail.)

Any pitfalls to be aware of when constructing the 3d model? (Such as the necessity for 'closed' objects, and the fact that a 'merge verticies' function doesn't always close an object.)

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

-Tchail

[G-man]

PM me with an e-mail address / phone number and i'll give you a crash course

George

[Tchail]

Thanks George!

PM sent.

-Tchail