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Des_19
Des_19
Participant
July 21, 2017
Answered

Is adobe Illustrator capable of 3-d printing?

  • July 21, 2017
  • 5 replies
  • 12755 views

I notice Illustrator has 3-D viewing options, but is another software required to actually 3-d print the object?

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer kevind82335850

    The answer to the OP is no, Illustrator cannot print to a 3D.  Those who mentioned Photoshop are correct, it can design (albeit poorly) 3d models and print to a small spectrum of 3d printers.

    I print on a daily basis to a Formlabs Form 2, 3D printer.  I use a variety of tools to create actual 3D models including SolidWorks $4,000+) for complicated, engineering tasks, and TinkerCad ​(Free) for quick and dirty objects.  There are literally dozens of free and/or cheap 3d modeling programs, heck Windows 10 even has one for free built into the OS called 3D Builder.

    These 3D programs save the 3D file into an OBJ or STL files.  These files are broken down into hundreds or even thousands of layers and printed on the 3D printers. Hopefully this helps a few out there

    5 replies

    B
    BCE_ITdept
    Participant
    July 18, 2022

    I know I'm years late to the party, but while the answer of NO is technically correct, I use Adobe Illustrator as my starting point for my 3D printing. So this is just an answer for those like me who use Adobe Illustrator as my starting point. I create my 2D design in Illustrator, save it as a SVG file, import this file into TinkerCad (online 3D app) extrude my 2D design there, and if need be, modify it there and export the file for use in my 3D Printer. (In my case, I export as STL and import into FlashPrint for my Flashforge Dreamer 3D printer) I double check sizing and print. Works for me.

     

    I understand the latest version of Illustrator supports exporting as OBJ file but I have had no success with this - yet.

    kevind82335850
    kevind82335850Correct answer
    Inspiring
    July 21, 2017

    The answer to the OP is no, Illustrator cannot print to a 3D.  Those who mentioned Photoshop are correct, it can design (albeit poorly) 3d models and print to a small spectrum of 3d printers.

    I print on a daily basis to a Formlabs Form 2, 3D printer.  I use a variety of tools to create actual 3D models including SolidWorks $4,000+) for complicated, engineering tasks, and TinkerCad ​(Free) for quick and dirty objects.  There are literally dozens of free and/or cheap 3d modeling programs, heck Windows 10 even has one for free built into the OS called 3D Builder.

    These 3D programs save the 3D file into an OBJ or STL files.  These files are broken down into hundreds or even thousands of layers and printed on the 3D printers. Hopefully this helps a few out there

    J
    jdanek
    Inspiring
    July 21, 2017

    This is a very good question.  Hate to sound old school, but what is a 3D printer?  Do they carve out the scene so you can walk around it?  Can you recreate a person with a 3D printer?  Can I clone myself?  What the heck is a 3D printer?

    Bill Silbert
    Community Expert
    Bill SilbertCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    July 21, 2017

    A 3D printer can actually print out 3 dimensional pieces out of materials such as plastic. I've seen it used to create components for a prototype for an invention that a friend is trying to patent. He even gave me a comb that he had printed on one. It actually worked. They have become the latest solution to many cop shows where it is discovered that the police can't trace the ballistics of a bullet because it was fired from a gun made out of plastic that was created on a 3D printer. I have no idea as to whether that last one is actually possible.

      Ton Frederiks
      Community Expert
      Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      July 21, 2017

      No, Illustrator cannot print in 3D

      Illustrator has a 3D Effect, but the result is a flat vector object, that looks 3D.

      Photoshop can print to 3D printers.

        Bill Silbert
        Community Expert
        Bill SilbertCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        July 21, 2017

        What you see on the screen in preview mode in Illustrator is what will print on a 2D printer. Are you asking if it will print to a 3D printer?

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