3D Printing Tutorial : Sculptris
Introduction
This tutorial was made for users of Sculptris interested in 3D printing. It contains the essential information to make a printable model with this 3D modeling software.
Then, you will be able to upload your 3D file on our website and 3D print it!
Sculptris is a software free artistic modeling, downloadable on the Pixologic website. Unlike traditional 3D modeling software, Sculptris begins with a predefined shape to which forms can be added, removed and (you guessed it) sculpted.
Sculptris is less complex and elaborate than its counterpart, Zbrush. This particular software is focused on artistic creation combines the advantage of being both extremely simple and accessible, but also offers realistic renderings.
Unlike traditional 3D modeling software, Sculptris is really effective in creating individual models, such as characters from movies or video games. However, it is difficult to make architectural models with this particular software.
You do not need to be an expert or know the software in detail to understand this tutorial. However, it is important to master the basic elements and main functions of the software first.
To learn more about modeling with Sculptris, please visit the Pixologic . You can also find tutorials dedicated to Sculptris on Youtube.
3D Modeling for 3D printing with Sculptris
1.1. Modeling your object
- Shifting tool: G
- Wireframe View: W
- Camera Rotation: Left Click + Alt
- Zoom: Mouse Roller OR +/- on the numpad
- Lateral Camera Displacement: Left Click + Shift + Alt
- Undo: Ctrl + Z
- Scale tool: T
- Rotation Tool: R
- Smooth Tool: Touch B / Hold Shift while using another tool
- Save As: Ctrl + Shift + S
- Increase / decrease the thickness of the brush: Ctrl + Mousewheel (or +/- on the numpad)
- Draw Tool: D
- Enlarge Tool: C
- Carve Tool: E
- Flatten Tool: F
- Pinch Tool: V
1.2. Adding Texture and Color to your 3D model
Manage and export valid 3D files for 3D printing from Sculptris
2.1. Analyze and measure your 3D model
Sculptris lacks features that are available in more advanced programs, such as its counterpart ZBrush. This software is unable to do any analyzing, measuring or resizing of your model.
To actually perform these actions, you can use Blender. Just export your file as a .obj and import it into Blender. For more information on using Blender for 3D printing, please see our tutorial Prepare your file for 3D printing with Blender.
2.2. Export your model for a 3D Print
- Exporting the Texture
- Exporting the Model
Avoid mistakes that occur when designing 3D files for 3D printing on Sculptris
Sculptris is not a pure modeling software but rather a sculpting software. It is very rare to create geometric inconsistencies or anomalies that could prevent 3D printing (holes, surfaces, edges or singular points / non-manifold, self- intersections, bad directions, etc.).
Possible issues could be that your model is too big (over 50MB / 400000 triangles), the scale is off (mm or cm), you’d like to hollow your model, or that it has a few structural errors.
In such cases, you can use Blender to make these changes to your model. Just export your .obj file as described above and import it into Blender. For more information on using Blender to correct your file for 3D printing, please see our tutorial Prepare your file for 3D printing with Blender.
For more information about mistakes to avoid and repair tools from Sculpteo, visit the page dedicated to the repairing of files for 3D printing .