3D Printed Parametric Vase
![IMG_4219.jpeg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F5N/T922/LH4UQ00M/F5NT922LH4UQ00M.jpg&filename=IMG_4219.jpeg)
![IMG_4220.jpeg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FGH/0V8M/LH4UQ00L/FGH0V8MLH4UQ00L.jpg&filename=IMG_4220.jpeg)
I made a 3D printed parametric vase using grasshopper and fusion360. For some reason, my Rhino/GH file didn't save correctly, but I can explain what steps I used.
Supplies
- 3d printer (I used Flashforge Creator Pro 2)
- filament
- grasshopper
- fusion360
Draw Base Shape
![Screenshot 2023-05-01 at 6.50.01 PM.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FGQ/D4O9/LH4UQ0YT/FGQD4O9LH4UQ0YT.png&filename=Screenshot 2023-05-01 at 6.50.01 PM.png)
I'm more familiar with constrained drawing in Fusion360, so I drew this curvy 6-sided star in Fusion. There was probably a way to do in Rhino. I exported as a dxf and imported into Rhino.
Rhino/Grasshopper Workflow
![Screenshot 2023-05-01 at 8.57.06 PM.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FKJ/VD1N/LH4UQ1BR/FKJVD1NLH4UQ1BR.png&filename=Screenshot 2023-05-01 at 8.57.06 PM.png)
Sorry again for lack of screenshots, I think I saved over it with something else by accident. Anyway, I used the setpt function in Rhino to make copies of the drawing and translate them up in the z axis. I started with a circle as the base, and then added 3 of my curvy stars. I then rotated the second and 3rd star by 15 degrees and 30 degrees, respectively. Then, I used the loft command in grasshopper to connect everything, and then capped the ends. Then, I exported as an stl file to put into my slicer.
Slicer
My printer comes with its own slicer, FlashPrint, which is what I used. I just selected vase mode, and changed filament settings to match the guidelines for the PLA I used. It took about 3 hours to print. I had to print it a second time, because I was not gentle removing it from the bed, so it snapped due to thin-ness. But I learned my lesson the second time!
Finished Product
I used some cool sparkly filament , and I really like how it catches the light!