Assistance needed for a High School Graphic Arts Class to 3D Print, please reply

[djprinter]

A few things:

1) As you found out 3d scanning is not consumer ready, stay way from it for a few more years

2) There are two types of 3d modeling, organic and hard surface. "Sculptris" is an organic 3d modeler, it's the simpler version of Zbrush which is what movie and game artist use to create characters and creatures. "Sketchup" is a hard surface modeler, it's used to create mechanical and architectural models.

3) Most programs, including sculptris, will both export "OBJ" file types, which you can convert to STL using an web based converter like this one: http://www.greentoken.de/onlineconv/

4) Autodesk has a whole line of free, simple 3d software aimed at the beginner market, they're 123d series. It's a great way to start: http://usa.autodesk.com/autodesk-123d/ The great thing about these programs is that most of them work on ipad and android tablets.

5) I suggest you also try out "meshmixer" it's free software from autodesk that allows you to create printable 3d models from a large library of source models (you can get very creative in how you combine them). It's also a great tool to cleanup and prepare your own models to be printed.

Finally, stay way from Davinci 3D printer, it does not have a good reputation. Instead I'd suggest you look into printerbot, they have some very nice, inexpensive printers, designed specifically for school use.

[imaprinter]

Thank you for the input. I feel I have some direction now.