Hello everyone. Today I am going to introduce a user to all of you. His username is @Frikarte3D. Let's know more about him.

Self-Introduction

Hi everyone! I’m Frikarte3D, 38 years old from Spain. I have been a Creality user since April 2021 when I bought my Ender 3 Pro. I am a Technology, Computer Science, and Robotics teacher at a high school and when I started teaching over 10 years ago I used SketchUp to develop prototypes of technology products, buildings, and 3D art with students. Now I continue using this program with students and even develop some simple designs for 3D printing.

The impression of 3D Printing

I don't remember exactly when I first saw a live 3D printer. I remember it was in a large appliance and computer store where they had everything, where in a corner there was a giant machine that was worth a lot of money creating things from 3D models.

That day I went to my wife and told her I want one! And I started researching 3D printers, brands, models, how to start, what you need to know. I thought about it a lot, I saw some stories about people who started in 3D printing and ended up putting it aside or getting bored because of the problems when printing, for that reason I finally decided to buy an Ender 3 Pro, an affordable machine where I can learn everything the necessary on the operation of these machines.

About Creality

When I bought my printer I saw a Creality app on Google Play and installed it. At that moment I signed up and tried to synchronize my printer until I realized that mine was not ready for that.

I put the platform aside and focused on learning how to use computer slicers like Cura or Simplify 3D. A few months ago I received a notification from Creality Cloud announcing improvements, then I saw that I could easily create Lithophanies, I was creating the Frikarte3D brand and I saw that I could share my designs with other users. Accepting my models was very good and encouraged me to continue creating.

Nice Community

I feel good in Creality Cloud, it's a nice community, people help you, they constructively give you their opinion and there are truly exceptional designers whom you can learn and be inspired a lot from their work.

I was a bit disenchanted with Thingiverse and some stalling issues that there were on that platform, so I decided to sync my Thingiverse models to Creality Cloud and I was really surprised by the acceptance I had on the platform, people started downloading the models, liking and follow me and that made me feel good and encouraged me to start participating in the contests.

Got 2nd place in the contest

I did not expect such a result at all. And I couldn't believe it. I started designing 3D objects as a hobby, to be able to teach my students to create prototypes, I had never considered that my creations could be liked by people.

When I started on the platform, the Pen Holder contest had just finished and I thought, let's try it in the next one.

I come from a computer engineering background, therefore I am more practical than a designer, I have friends who are really very creative artists, the creative and imaginative part is more difficult for me, I have to draw on paper what I am going to design, see it in the real world and think how can I do it in 3D.

Every day I learn something new, set myself new challenges, watch tutorials and try to learn from the best.

When I started to print

I started 3D printing just when I bought the printer, I had to do some research on this technology and I was pretty clear that I wanted to start by printing improvements to the printer itself.

I started to print some “upgrades” for the printer I found on the Internet like a Back and Front Cover for the LCD, Filament Guide, Filament Holder, XYZ Cable Chains, Feet Noise Dampers, Power Supply Silencer, Front Drawer, Slot Covers, Fan Duct, …

My first useful impression was the design of support for the child protection fence.

We have a flat with two floors and to prevent my little daughter from going upstairs and hurting herself we have a fence that can be put up and taken down, we didn't have a place to put it and for that reason, I designed to support to anchor the go to the ladder.

I made a model in several versions until I was satisfied with the result.

My first successful print

After assembling the printer following the instructions and leveling the bed, my first successful print was an XYZ calibration cube.

It came out quite well and I was satisfied with the result. There were some preconfigured models on the printer's SD card but I decided to make the cube.

I am a designer

About 10 years ago I started creating 3D models with SketchUp to learn how to use the program and teach my students.

My first model uploaded to the 3D Warehouse was in 2014, but I have had models created before that.

One of my first models was the Opel logo that I designed in honor of acquiring my first car to own, you can see the render here: https://youtu.be/l7ZVHcItfIY. When I started to print in 3D, I had to modify the model that had many conceptual errors, it was not solid, and it had inverted faces, ... to be able to print it, you can see how I printed here: https://youtu.be/nNZUnSJp22U

My favorite design style

For now, I'm still looking for my style, I like to do a bit of everything, I have designed household objects, boxes, helmet and gun display stands, logos, coins, movie collectibles, decorations, personalized plates, key rings, and the designs of Creality Cloud contests.

I have many designs that I have not uploaded to the platform because I am still working on them and I have to think about how to make them so that they can be easily printed.

3DP in my country

When I started I thought it was not very popular but when I created my Instagram page where I post my prints and designs I have been realizing that there are more and more followers, designers, and people who start their 3D printing companies.

I decided to buy my Ender 3 Pro when one of my friends told me that he had bought a printer and was printing an Iron Man helmet and Dragon Ball figures.

Why love 3D printing

The possibility of imagining and creating almost anything in my house, not having to depend on other people to create personalized products and gifts.

When the first year of the COVID pandemic ended, I designed a keychain for each of my fellow teachers as it was a very hard year in high schools, for everyone, and as a reminder that we fought so that our students could continue with their education.

My dream

As I said before, the possibility of creating anything. I have been able to make key chains for my co-workers, personalized graduation objects for my students, decorations for family and friends, and gifts for newborns, ...

And learn, learn and learn every day, from other designers and creators, from my own mistakes, to do things better, to try to help others, ...

My dream would be in the future to be able to dedicate myself to designing and printing as my way of life, for me it is a hobby, I like the work I have, and it helps me pay bills, but the possibilities that the maker and design world gives you are infinite and I don't have time to explore them as I would like.

To Creality

First of all, I am very happy with my Ender 3 Pro, since I started printing until now we have learned a lot and I am able to repair almost all the problems that can occur. My institute does not have a budget to buy 3D printers. When we prototype with my students in class, I take my models home and print them with mine.

I know that Creality has projects with schools with few resources, so if you want to participate in an educational project with my school, I am available for whatever you want.

If you like my work, you can follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, or on my blog searching for Frikarte3D.

Learn more about him: click here

If you want to be interviewed, please feel free to contact me in the comments section below.