3D Sculpting
[verb with object] (1) Produce, especially in large quantities, by a mechanical process involving the transfer of text or designs to paper.
The act of creating art is the same regardless of medium, in my opinion. Your creativity is put to use, your hands are involved (even if on a computer mouse), and at the end there is still a tangible work of art to behold.
3D printing, however, warrants you the flexibility of designing and editing easily while catering to multiple industries. It also affords the artist flexibility in the creativity of the design as the piece is created in layers and a range of materials can be used.
While traditional sculpting may be preferred to many, components such as costs, time, and flexibility can play a big role in why many are choosing 3D printing. Initially, a designer will need a computer, three-button mouse, and 3D printing software and machinery. A tablet and stylus pen can also be used to design with a wide-range of stroke options and pressure sensitivities to ensure an even more customized creation. The point here is that, while these things will cost money, the versatility is more flexible than other art processes, making the technology worth it. In terms of time, duplicating a 3D printed model is as easy as hitting copy, paste and print. It doesn’t get any better than that.
3D printing allows the flexibility of making a work of art look more natural than within the confinements of a real-life model made of a certain material. The laws of physics also don’t play a role here. You can create models that defy gravity, are paper-thin or simply heretofore impossible in the real world. The sky is the limit! The speed and creative freedom that 3D printing gives artists is unlike many other creative processes. This makes it a great tool to teach children as well. Imagine just what could be created with the innocence and ingenuity of a child with this level of creative freedom!
Creating a work of art is all about form and function. 3D printing takes aesthetics to a new level because it affords the artist an unlimited amount of detail. While this digital printing process started off as a mode of prototyping, it is now being used for production-ready pieces. Because of its versatility, it has been used for anything from car parts, to jewellery, to home goods – even to prosthetic limbs.
When being used for medical reasons, however, it brings about ethical debates. As humans we are all naturally different: different colours, shapes, sizes, heights, weights, etc. 3D printing grants us the freedom to create prosthetics to best fit our differences. Even if an organ or a tool can be created to aid in an operation or stand-in as a donor for a recipient, I believe it is worth a try. I’ve always believed that art can save a life and this is a prime example.
Life is ever-changing and so are the components it is made of. A creation such as 3D printing helps us to keep up with the times, as well as aid in being a part of the creation of the future, saving us time and money, and aiding in taking us from the mundane to extraordinary with unlimited possibilities. This level of self-expression is great for all ages.
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