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Textures and patterns exist within nature, from your fingertips to the bark of a tree. While they seem, at times, more about beauty, these textures are functionally essential features.
In 3D printing, texturing is a great advantage, and what once was a question of surface quality is now considered a feature of 3D printing that can make the most of surface textures in the design process. Custom textures can be designed directly into the CAD file allowing for more flexibility and infinite design possibilities.
Aesthetics
Texture tools let you stylize your prints without having to do modeling work, simplifying the design process. Opaque materials with textures give more depth and character, while transparent materials can scatter light. With 3D printing’s flexibility to apply textures to any material, the design possibilities can be endless. Other benefits include:
Strength and Function
Texture can also provide significant advantages when it comes to the function of a part—for example, improving a handle with a textured grip or creating “high-performance surfaces” that will enhance water or airflow, reduce surface tension, or optimize fluid distribution.
Texturing can add substantial strength and stiffness to thin-walled parts. It is possible to 3D print geometries that mitigate warping and collapsing, allowing structures to retain their shapes under load. These surface irregularities add stiffness to the 3D-printed parts. Other benefits include:
You might be wondering how to create your own 3D textures, and what tools you should use in order to get the best result. The result of your texture will not depend on the texturing tool but more on how you will be using them. However, here is a little selection of the most used 3D software to create 3D printed parts with texture. These will certainly give you the opportunity to create the best appearances for your parts.
This 3D modeling program is geared toward the modeling of industrial objects, but it can be used for much more than just that. It is a really complete software, meaning you can also add texture through it if you need to.
If you don’t want to bother with creating your own texture, then you still have two options. You can use a texture library and choose your prints with ideaMaker for example. Or you can ask Sculpteo’s designers from Sculpteo Studio to work on the textures of your 3D printed parts, then will help you to elaborate the best pattern for your project.
Any 3D printing material can create textures on parts, but depending on your project and objectives, certain materials will be more advantageous than others. To help you get started, we’ve highlighted some excellent materials for highly detailed textures, strong mechanical properties, and general texturing. Consulting the design guidelines for each material or your design team for additive manufacturing is always recommended; you can request more information from our Design Studio team for the best texture, material, and design for your specific project and needs.
Resin Material
For a high level of detail, superb surface finish, and incredible accuracy, turn to resin 3D printing material. These materials are the perfect solution for creating injection mold-like prototypes or aesthetic parts for high fashion, for example. If the main objective of your part or project is to show details and complex geometries, resin materials are a perfect choice.
Want to learn more about this highly detailing and smooth material? Check out our Ultimate guide for 3D printing resin.
TPU Flexible Material
TPU is especially suited for lattice structures and creating flexible surfaces; it is the perfect manufacturing material to benefit from great design freedom. Creating complex geometries and intricate designs is possible and a significant advantage of this material. With TPU, 3D printing will help you get parts with varying flexibility. Depending on the different requirements within a part, you can have varying zones of thickness and flexibility. It is also possible to create flexible lattice structures to help develop orthopedic midsoles. What is TPU: Everything you need to know about these flexible materials.
We offer two TPU materials below:
General Texturing to hide 3D printing layering or surface imperfections
In general, Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) technologies are great for creating textures and complex geometries for consumer products, architectural models, drones, robotics, special machinery, jewelry & watches, IoT devices, sports equipment, footwear, orthopedic technology, education, electronics housing, medical devices, sculptures, jigs and fixtures, promotional items, and more. These additive manufacturing technologies are a good choice for functional prototyping to production and can easily produce the textures and patterns necessary for each project’s objectives.
Are you ready to use texture for your next 3D printing project? Get in touch with our Design Studio to learn more about your individual projects’ full additive manufacturing potential.
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