Software Developer Launches Kickstarter Campaign to Help Provide 3D Design Courses to Beginners

May 25, 2016 by Tyler Koslow 3D Design 3D Printing

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As the number of real life applications that involve the use of 3D design and 3D printing continues to increase, so does the need to educate the world—particularly the younger generations—on the ins and outs of 3D technology. Educational fields involving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are becoming more and more relevant in our society, and we’ve seen an admirable effort from 3D printing companies and academic institutions to implement 3D technology into educational curricula around the world.

Software developer Bill Tran

The recent upswing in STEM-focused learning programs has come in all shapes and sizes. Examples are wide-ranging, events like the MakerBot-sponsored Makeathons have taken aim at developing STEAM education content, while institutions like the UK-based Windsor Boys’ school have created a seemingly successful 3D design course for their young students. Now, a software developer and avid maker named Bill Tran is taking it upon himself to launch a full course enabling anyone who wants to learn 3D design for 3D printing to do so. Tran recently launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise $4,150 for his proposed course, which was surpassed in well under 24 hours.

“With today’s technology advancement you can design your own parts and send them off to an online 3D printing service or you can make them at home with your own 3D printer,” Tran writes on the Kickstarter page. “The problem is that there isn’t any information out there, that will take you from not knowing anything at all to designing and printing your own 3D parts.”

Tran’s plan is to create a project-based 3D design course, starting with lessons on designing a simple cabinet knob, and eventually moving into creating full multi-part assemblies. The program is built for aspiring makers, inventors, and engineers who wish to learn Blender and Autodesk Fusion360 for product development. According to Tran, he will guide novice designers through the comprehensive course, which will include the project files, video, diagrams, and other assorted reference materials. The software developer plans on covering all the bases of design and product development, briefing students on orthographic views, 3D design, multi-part assemblies, part simulation, part tolerances, 3D rendering, 3D print validation, assembling your own 3D printer, 3D print calibration and 3D printing.

The course itself comes with full lifetime access, and is currently available as a reward for a pledge of $15 or more on the Kickstarter page (the course will cost a one-off fee of $50 after the campaign is complete). There are a number of other perks available for backers, including full-access to Udemy’s top-selling Make Digital Art Assets Using Blender course ($35), early access to Tran’s course ($50), and even parts to build a Delta 3D printer kit ($500). Tran lists a number of reasons why he feels his course will be superior to existing ones, citing his experience as a product developer and also that of Ben Tristem, a top instructor on Udemy, who will be helping develop this comprehensive lesson plan. The welcoming response garnered by Tran’s crowdfunding campaign thus far has led them to announce a vast number of other potential courses in the form of stretch goals.

If the Kickstarter continues to grow well, he will construct courses on a wide-range of intriguing subject matter, which includes lessons on how to build a 3D scanner, a filament maker, how to design phone accessories, and more. According to Tran, there are very few obstacles preventing him from succeeding in his project goal, in fact, he promises to refund anyone their pledge if they don’t find value in his design course. Now that the crowdfunding goal has been met, Tran will begin the development the course, which is planned to be partially released in August 2016 and fully completed and distributed by December 2016. Thanks to Tran, extensive knowledge on 3D design and 3D printing could soon be accessible both inside and outside of academic establishments. The course stands to help determined individuals that just need an experienced guide to get them on the way to being 3D design and product development prodigies. Is this something you would back? Discuss further in the Kickstarter 3D Design Course Already Funded forum over at 3DPB.com.