CAD Software
The first step in design is to have an idea! You can, of course, just start drawing and creating and then end up with something--that also works if you are in a learning mode.
Let's go through a bit of process about thinking of an idea and then designing that idea. My idea is to create a GOSTEM key chain tab--just for fun. I want it to print fairly quickly as a demonstration, so want to make it thin and small. How shall I start? I'll sketch it out:
Next I will need to use a CAD (Computer Aided Drawing program) to design my object. I am using TinkerCad because it is easy to use, simple, and most importantly, free! See: https://www.tinkercad.com/ When you sign-up for this website you will need to login with name and password. Make sure your write it down!
When you reach the site you will have a screen that looks like this. Click on CREATE NEW DESIGN
You will see a screen that looks like this next. I have grabbed a box shape from the left and placed it on the desktop. I have also changed the view in the top left corner to show top. This will be the top view of our keychain. The box size can be changed by dragging the corners of the red box and expanding the width and length of the red box. My design is 50 X 20 mm.
Next I will add GOSTEM to the top of the box. To do this I'll grab the text icon at the right and drag it on the screen then change the text to GOSTEM by editing the middle box that says "TEXT." Notice that there are several variables you can choose to modify the letters.
Next I will add a ring for our keychain. I drag a tube from the right hand column and then adjust the size to fit the box.
Now is the tricky part! Change the view in the top left corner to "FRONT." This will allow you to see where things are from this view. This will take some fiddling...use the corners of the box to adjust the depth of the box. Arrange the ring so it meshes with the box (overlaps). Adjust the height of the letters.
Flip again to top view to check. The design looks good!
I'll name the file in the top left hand corner and the export in the right hand corner. The screen will show options:
The .STL file is what you want to choose. Now you are ready to convert it to code for the 3D printer--one more step!