Bring Little You 3D Character to Life at Your Local Library
On Saturday, October 10th, Little You 3D had the pleasure of exhibiting at Aurora Public Library’s Maker Exhibition, where we connected with families and children and introduced them to the exciting world of 3D design and printing!
It was a wonderful opportunity to see young creators explore their imaginations, discover how digital designs can become physical objects, and learn about the possibilities of 3D printing in their local communities.
A big thank-you to Aurora Public Library for hosting this event and helping make creative technology more accessible to families!
What Is Little You 3D?
Little You 3D is an educational platform that allows children to design their own 3D characters and bring their ideas to life. By customizing their characters, students can express their creativity, develop digital design skills, and discover how technology connects the digital and physical worlds.
Our platform is used by students and educators across North America to support hands-on learning in art, STEAM, and other educational activities. We believe every child should have the opportunity to express themselves creatively and experience the excitement of turning an idea into something they can hold in their hands.
And the best part? You don't need a 3D printer at home to bring your character to life!
Did You Know You Can 3D Print Your Character at Your Local Library?
Many public libraries offer 3D printing services, making it easier for families to explore this technology without purchasing their own printer. You can design your favourite character using Little You 3D, download the model, and check with your local library to see whether they can print it for you.
Here's How the Process Works
Step 1: Design Your Favourite Character
Visit Little You 3D and start creating! Customize your character's appearance and explore different design possibilities to create something uniquely yours.
Step 2: Download Your 3D Model
Once you're happy with your design, purchase and download your 3D model. Need help downloading your model? Check out our blog post on how to download your Little You 3D character.
Step 3: Save Your Files to a USB Drive
Copy your downloaded 3D model files to a USB drive so you can bring them to your local library.
For desktop 3D printers: The OBJ file is generally sufficient.
For full-colour 3D printing: Both the OBJ and MTL files are needed.
Make sure to keep all the necessary files together so the librarian can prepare your model correctly.
Step 4: Visit Your Local Library
Bring your USB drive to your local library and ask about its 3D printing services.
Note: Most desktop 3D printers can only print in a single colour. Before visiting, check whether the library accepts files from external sources, which file formats it supports, and whether there are any printing fees or size restrictions.
Step 5: Watch Your Character Come to Life!
That's it! Depending on the printer and its schedule, you may be able to return a few hours later or spend some time exploring the library while your model prints.
For example, at Aurora Public Library, we used an Ultimaker desktop 3D printer, which prints in a single colour. A character measuring approximately 5 cm can take around 2 hours to print, depending on the model's complexity and print settings.
Step 6: Remove the Support Material and Finish Your Model
Once your model is printed, it may have extra support material that needs to be removed before it's ready to display or play with.
For many desktop 3D printers, you can carefully remove these supports using small pliers or an appropriate removal tool. Some supports may be difficult to remove, so avoid applying excessive force, which could damage your model.
Children should always ask an adult for help with this step, especially when using pliers or other tools with sharp edges.
Once the supports are removed and any rough edges are carefully cleaned up, your character is ready to show off!
Bringing Creativity Into Your Community
At Little You 3D, we believe access to creative technology shouldn't be limited to classrooms or homes with specialized equipment. Public libraries play an important role in making digital design and 3D printing more accessible to children and families.
By combining Little You 3D with local library printing services, families can enjoy a complete creative experience: design a character, learn about digital fabrication, and bring home a creation of their own.
Whether you're a parent looking for a fun weekend activity, an educator exploring STEAM learning, or a library interested in offering creative programming, Little You 3D offers an exciting way to encourage imagination, creativity, and discovery.
Let your imagination take shape with Little You 3D.
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