Designing a 3D-Printable Chess Piece with SketchUp: A Step-by-Step Guide

In this episode of the SketchUp show, we delve into the exciting process of designing a 3D-printable gift, perfect for the holiday season. Our project involves creating a unique chess piece with a typographic twist, drawing inspiration from online sources. Whether you are new to SketchUp or a seasoned user, this tutorial will guide you through the intricate steps of designing, solidifying, and exporting a printable 3D model.

Choosing the Right Printer and Material

The first crucial step in 3D printing from SketchUp is selecting the appropriate printer and material. Your choice will significantly impact the design possibilities within SketchUp. Options typically include desktop printers, local shops, or online services like Shapeways. For this tutorial, we opt for the strong and flexible plastic material offered by Shapeways, an online 3D printing service.

Creating the Chess Piece Base

Designing the Base: Begin by creating a simple base for the chess piece. Define a one-inch diameter footprint to serve as the foundation.
Crafting the Profile: Construct a profile for the base, aiming for a height of two and a half inches. Utilize tools like the pencil and arc tools to create an engaging profile.
Making it Solid and Hollow: Use the follow me tool to solidify the base. Enhance cost-efficiency by hollowing out the interior. Offset the edges for thickness, ensuring a hollow yet sturdy design.

Designing the Chess Piece Top

Creating the 'K' Top: Represent the top of the chess piece with a 'K' for the king. Utilize the 3D text tool to design the letter, extruding it with the desired thickness.
Hollowing the 'K' Design: Make the 'K' hollow for 3D printing cost-effectiveness. Create an escape hole within the component to allow for optimal printing.

Merging the Base and Top

Assembling the Chess Piece: Combine the base and the 'K' top to form the final chess piece. Ensure that the escape hole extends through the entire design for proper printing.
Finalizing the Design: Verify that both components are solid groups and merge them into a single, printable model using the outer shell command.

Exporting the Model for 3D Printing

Preparing for Printing: Export the finalized design as an STL file for compatibility with 3D printers. Use the SketchUp STL extension for seamless file conversion.
Saving the File: Choose the appropriate units and file format for your 3D printer specifications. Opt for a binary file format to maintain a manageable file size.

Now that you have mastered the art of 3D printing from SketchUp, the possibilities are endless. Share your thoughts and ideas for future projects in the comments section below. Thank you for joining us in this insightful tutorial, and happy 3D printing!

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