I am new to 3D printing and I do not claim to be an expert in the slightest! I want to share my experience with the printer that I have (Creality Ender V3 SE). This is my step by step process for creating cookie cutters!
Programs:
- Creality – this is the program for the printer itself – if you have a different printer, I am sure there is an equivalent program. I essentially only use this program to send the file to the printer, I do little to no editing here.
- InkScape – this is a free program that I use to design. It is often my starting point but I have lots to learn here! So many options!
- Tinkercad – once again free (yay), this program takes a 2D Image and makes it 3D. This is where I form the shape of the cutter and prep all of the sizing!
The Process from Start to Finish
- Inkscape
The first program you need to open up is InkScape! I use this program to make the shape of the cutter. I am going to use my most recent project (a bunny) to walk through the process.
For this design, I first searched for bunny silhouettes on google and scrolled through images until I found something that I loved. I often search for basic coloring pages because that provides a black and white image which can make it easier to visualize as a cookie cutter. I usually copy the image over to inkscape and use it as a reference or trace the image by going to Path in the top toolbar and then “trace bitmap). Be careful when tracing images, I don’t want to promote stealing other people’s work so make sure that you add your own spin on the image or check the licensing on the image source site.
Once you have your shape, save as an SVG and then it is time to move to the next program!
2. Tinkercad
Tinkercad! This is a great program and I think it is super easy to learn and use. It may take a little getting used to because this is where you will actually turn your 2D image 3D! When you open your Tinkercad dashboard you will click “create” and then choose to create a 3D image. On the top right you will see a button that says “import” and you want to import the image that you just saved from inkscape. I usually don’t change my scale unless it tells me that the image is too big. If it says that, just reduce the scale until it works. (I am sure there is a more technical way to create the proper sizing ahead of time but I am new here).
When your image is uploaded, it should already look 3D but we will need to modify it and change some dimensions in order to make your cookie cutter. I like to change my settings to millimeters if it is not already there. If you click your shape, on the right side you will see a few options, one of them being “fill mode”. I change the fill mode to outer line. This is great if you have a solid image instead of just an outline because it will trace your image for you! I then change the width to 0.9 and the height to 20.
Copy your image and paste it in the same workspace. Change the height of the new image to 4 and the width to 4. This is going to be the top part of the cutter that you will grip onto. You then highlight both images and click the line with the two rectangles on it on the top right. This will help you to align your images. Lastly, you will use the group tool to combine your two shapes! You know have a cookie cutter!… almost.
Save your file by clicking “Export” then select STL as the file type.
3. Creality (or whichever program you use for your printer)
Final step! Open the software used for your printer and upload the STL image that you just saved. All I do once my 3D file appears is make sure I like the size and then slice the image and click “export to local”. This saves the file in a gcode format which is what the 3D printer can read.
