3D Printing in an architectural practice - 6 step guide with tips and tricks

As 3D printers become more common in AEC practice, we thought it would be useful to put together this tips and tricks guide to share with those who have access to a printer, but need a bit of help understanding the steps required to complete a print.

We have complied a 6 step guide with some tips and tricks from our experience to date. The steps covered are:

1. Get to know the machine

2. Creating a 3D printable model

3. Preparing your file in your ‘slicer’ software

4. Printing your model

5. Share your model

6. Teach someone how to 3D print.

The full guide is available for download here.

BVN has been using 3D printing to help communicate our projects since 2013, and after 4 years we are seeing a huge uptake of the technology across a wide variety of project types and stages. We are currently working towards the goal of having the capability to produce 3D printed models in every one of our project teams.