Over the last decade, 3D printing has become increasingly popular due to the rapid growth in additive manufacturing. Since 3D printers are now more affordable and accessible, almost every DIY enthusiast wants to have one once in a lifetime.
Whether you are a professional engineer looking to improve your 3D printing skills, a beginner who wants to learn more about 3D printing, or someone who plans to build a 3D printing brand, the courses covered in this article will help you level up your skills.
1. 3D Printing From Zero to Hero in Blender 3x
The course is mainly for design, but anyone interested in learning 3D printing from scratch, including hobbyists and DIYer enthusiasts, can take the course. To get started, all you need is Blender software installed on your computer, and of course, a 3D printer.
The course's primary focus is on designing 3D models in Blender, so it would be helpful if you are already proficient in it. Even if you are not, the course will teach you the basics and prepare you for creating your 3D models using the same software.
The instructor will model different objects such as a vase, phone stand, coin, phone case, and a few others throughout the course and then print them on a 3D printer.
Hence, designing 3D models will help you clarify your Blender concepts, and printing the models on 3D printers will help you learn how to fix design issues, export STL files, set up printing, and print models the right way.
A comprehensive collection of 7.5 hours of on-demand videos, downloadable resources, and lifetime access to all old, updated, and new course material make this an excellent investment for those who want to get started in 3D printing.
One can't guarantee that the course will turn you into a 3D printing expert, but it is certainly helpful in improving your design skills on Blender and becoming better at 3D printing.
2. 3D Printing: From Start to Finish
The FDM 3D printing course is designed for anyone interested in learning how 3D printing works. It focuses mainly on basic to advanced 3D printing concepts without getting into 3D modeling and designs.
Therefore, if you do not have any experience with 3D modeling, you should take other design courses for creating 3D models. Nevertheless, you have the option to print freely available 3D models or have them designed by freelancers.
The course discusses 3D printing and its history and explains how 3D printer parts work. After that, you'll learn about different types of filaments used in 3D printing and what slicing and g-code mean. The course will also cover how to set slicer settings correctly.
Next comes the course's main part, where the instructor introduces two popular 3D printing software, Simplify3D and Cura. He covers everything you need to know about using these tools, from downloading them to printing your first model.
In the finishing module, you will learn how to properly sand, glue, and prime your printed model. Last but not least, the course concludes by recommending a few 3D file sites and YouTube channels that you can follow to further hone your 3D printing skills.
In short, if you already know how to model 3D objects but you have not touched a printer before, then this is the only course you need to print your first model. Overall, this course is worth investing in with 5.5 hours of video content, a certificate of completion, and additional downloadable resources.
3. Additive Manufacturing: Troubleshooting 3D Prints
Whether you have experience with 3D printing or you're just getting started, taking this course is beneficial. The course's primary focus is troubleshooting issues one might encounter during the 3D printing process.
The course consists of four modules, each focusing on a particular issue. This first module explains why your 3D print is not sticking, what to do when the printer is under extruding or over extruding, and why the final printed part sometimes has incorrect dimensions or geometry.
The second module discusses filament and extruder issues in detail. The third one revolves around tips on how to print thin-walled, tall, and skinny objects, increase the strength of prints by altering their orientations, and print surfaces with curves and holes. The final module focuses on identifying and resolving software-related problems.
The instructors of this course are both highly experienced, and the tips covered in the course will assist you when printing. Apart from the video content, you will have access to one project file, four-chapter quizzes, lifetime access to the course, and a certificate of completion.
4. Comprehensive Guide and Walkthrough of 3D Printing
This course primarily targets engineers, hobbyists, designers, and creators who intend to convert their passion for 3D printing into a money-making business. All you need is a business mindset to take this course.
Since this is a business-focused course, it neither details the design process nor includes much about actual 3D printing, unlike other 3D printing courses on the list.
First, it teaches how to find a missing product opportunity. Then it helps you get your product designed by freelancers or yourself. Later in the course, you will learn everything you need to know about selecting a 3D design software, 3D printer, and 3D scanner.
Following a brief overview of the various tools mentioned above, the course dives into the marketing part of the 3D printing business. From setting up your business website to promoting your product on social media, you'll gain insight into everything in the course.
You'll get a few tips on marketing your 3D printed products on search engines with SEO, locally on local directories, and globally on eBay, Amazon, Shopify, etc., followed by advice on handling shipping and payments.
Like the previous courses, you'll have lifetime access to the course, including six hours of on-demand video content and 19 downloadable resources. And of course, you'll get a certificate upon successful completion of the course.
Should You Take All These 3D Printing Courses?
Considering the nature of the content covered in these courses, each one examines a different aspect of 3D printing. The first course helps you design 3D models and export them for 3D printing. The second explains everything you need to know about printing 3D models.
The third one will assist you in identifying and troubleshooting 3D printing problems, and the last course will prepare you for building your 3D printing brand. Thus, if you can invest both time and money in these courses, all of them are 100% worthwhile.