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3D Printing Resource Guide

So you want to 3D print! Here are some classes, articles, and web pages to help you get started.

For questions about 3D printing at LCPL's Libratory, see our Libratory page.

Books

Click the titles to reserve.

Getting Started with 3D Printing
Liza Wallach Kloski; Maker Media, 2016.

Includes information on how to use 3D modeling software and tips for fixing your 3D designs.

3D Printer Projects for Makerspaces
Lydia Sloane Cline; McGraw-Hill Education, 2017.

Goes over general information about 3D printing and includes several 3D printing projects.

3D Printing
Cameron Coward; Alpha, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc., 2015.

Includes information about what 3D printings is, tips for fixing your 3D designs, and projects to practice with.

LinkedIn Learning Online Courses

LinkedIn Learning is free with your Full Access/Digital Access LCPL card.

Additive Manufacturing: Troubleshoot 3D Prints
Rich Cameron & Joan Horvath, 2021

Goes over common mistakes with 3D printing and how to fix them

Learning Tinkercad
Kacie Hultgren, 2020

A video tutorial on how to use Tinkercad

Desigining a Replacement Part Using 3D Printing
Kacie Hultgren, 2014

Explains how to make a replacement part using 3D printing

Learning 3D Printing
Kacie Hultgren, 2021

Includes information on what 3D printing is, how to create a 3D design for printing, and more.

Articles & Webpages

Top 10 Tips
Anna Kaziunas France; Make: Community, 2013

An overview of some tips for creating 3D designs for printing

Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide
Simplify3D

Sortable guide covering many popular 3D printing materials

How to Use Support Material, Part 1
Scott Cahoon; Matter Hackers, 2016

Describes why you might need support structures and how to choose which type will work best.

Upcoming Events

Mahjong Open Play: Ages 18 & Over

Fri, Dec 26, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)

Join an open play Mahjong session; there is NO INSTRUCTOR but other players may share tips/directions. Please bring a game set if you... more

Join an open play Mahjong session; there is NO INSTRUCTOR but other players may share tips/directions. Please bring a game set if you have one! On-hand gaming supplies are limited. Ages 18 & over.

Bingo at the Library!

Sat, Dec 27, 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room

Join us at the library to play Bingo! All ages are welcome to play. Winners will be able to choose from a variety of small prizes.... more

Join us at the library to play Bingo! All ages are welcome to play. Winners will be able to choose from a variety of small prizes. Please register.

Teen Advisory Board & Game Night

Mon, Dec 29, 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)

The Library is YOUR library. Help your local library create programs and initiatives that help and interest you, all while earning... more

The Library is YOUR library. Help your local library create programs and initiatives that help and interest you, all while earning volunteer hours!

One-On-One Tech Help: Everyday Technology

Mon, Dec 29, 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Merrillville - Upper Level

Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your... more

Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your technology problems. Patron must bring their device with them.

LEGO® Club (Grades K-5)

Mon, Dec 29, 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Griffith-Calumet Twp - Children's Programming Room

Children (completed grades K-5) may free build with the library's LEGO® blocks or build a 'challenge' project. Constructions will be... more

Children (completed grades K-5) may free build with the library's LEGO® blocks or build a 'challenge' project. Constructions will be displayed in the library until the next LEGO® Club meeting.

This event is full

Rescheduled

Teen Advisory Board & Game Night

Mon, Dec 29, 5:30pm - 7:00pm

New date Monday, December 29, 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Dyer-Schererville

The Library is YOUR library. Help your local library create programs and initiatives that help and interest you, all while earning... more

The Library is YOUR library. Help your local library create programs and initiatives that help and interest you, all while earning volunteer hours!

Monday Night Adult D&D

Mon, Dec 29, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Munster - Children's Program Room

Steel yourself for the rest of the week with Monday Night Adult D&D! We'll be following 5e rules and will be running the Out of the... more

Steel yourself for the rest of the week with Monday Night Adult D&D! We'll be following 5e rules and will be running the Out of the Abyss campaign. Beginners and experienced players welcome!

This event is full

One-On-One Tech Help: Everyday Technology

Tue, Dec 30, 10:30am - 11:30am

Highland - Meeting Room A

Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your... more

Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your technology problems. Patron must bring their device with them.

Cancelled

Noon Years Eve Party

Tue, Dec 30, 11:00am - 12:30pm

Merrillville

Celebrate the new year at our Noon Year's Eve Party! There will be stories, songs, a craft, and light refreshments. Please register so... more

Celebrate the new year at our Noon Year's Eve Party! There will be stories, songs, a craft, and light refreshments. Please register so we know how many supplies to order.

All Ability: Winter Bingo

Tue, Dec 30, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room

Join us as we play some winter bingo and win some small prizes, while supplies last. All ability programs are geared towards adults with... more

Join us as we play some winter bingo and win some small prizes, while supplies last. All ability programs are geared towards adults with special needs. Registration required.

Laugh for Your Health - Presented by Laugh with Kathy

Tue, Dec 30, 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Merrillville - Meeting Room C

Join Kathy, a Certified Laughter Leader-Expert, for this 8-week series to relieve mental and physical discomfort by laughing!

One-On-One Tech Help: Everyday Technology

Tue, Dec 30, 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Merrillville - Small Group Room #3

Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your... more

Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your technology problems. Patron must bring their device with them.

Board Meeting

Tue, Dec 30, 4:30pm - 6:00pm

Merrillville - Board Room

Meeting of the Lake County Public Library Board of Trustees

Noon Year's Eve: Ages Birth to 6 Years Old

Wed, Dec 31, 11:30am - 12:10pm

Griffith-Calumet Twp - Children's Programming Room

Join us for a special storytime, for our friends who can't always make it to midnight, featuring songs, rhymes, and crafts.

This event is full

Off the Hook

Wed, Dec 31, 1:00pm - 3:00pm

St. John - Large Meeting Room

Bring your current craft project and join in the conversation! Please register.

One-On-One Tech Help: Everyday Technology

Wed, Dec 31, 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Merrillville - Upper Level

Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your... more

Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your technology problems. Patron must bring their device with them.

See all events