Creating a Sea-Inspired 3D Printed Art Piece Using Midjourney and Rhino

Introduction

In this project, we explore the fusion of two distinct natural forms: the geometric elegance of sea urchins and the radial symmetry of gerbera daisies. Utilizing the capabilities of Midjourney for conceptual design and Rhino 3D software for precise modeling, our goal is to craft a 3D-printed art piece that embodies the intricate details and textures of these inspirations. This guide will take you through each step of the process, from initial design to final print.

This project was created by Liliana Rodriguez as a course assignment at the California State University, Long Beach; taught by Behnaz Farahi: DESN 551: Materials, Tools, and Techniques of Prototype.

Process Overview Video

• 3D Printer: Suitable for detailed prints.
• Filament: PLA or ABS, depending on preference.
• Software: Midjourney for design inspiration, Rhino 3D and Grasshopper for modeling, and image editing software for refining your image.

• Observation: Study the patterns and textures of sea urchins and gerbera daisies. Notice the radial symmetry and the textural contrasts.
• Midjourney Use: Generate initial design concepts by inputting descriptions of both inspirations. For this project, I entered the keywords "gerbera sea urchin" to generate an image that fused the design qualities of a gerbera daisy and a sea urchin.

Process

• Selection: Start by selecting the most promising design concepts generated by Midjourney.
• Analysis: Identify areas in the images that need modification or enhancement to better reflect the combined aesthetics of sea urchins and gerbera daisies.
• Editing: Using your chosen image editing software, make the necessary adjustments. This might include: Enhancing color contrasts to highlight specific features or changing the background.
• Adding or removing elements to achieve a balanced composition.

Finalizing the Concept: Once you are satisfied with the edited design, save it in a format suitable for importing into Rhino 3D.

Tips

• Keep the limitations of your 3D printer in mind, especially in terms of print size and detail resolution.
• Focus on creating a design that not only looks good in 2D but also has the potential to be translated effectively into a 3D model.

1. Firstly, open Rhino and then launch Grasshopper.
2. You may use the MidJourney Image to 3D.3dm Rhino file.
3. In Grasshopper, insert the Image Sampler component.
4. Load your edited concept image into the Image Sampler. Ensure the image is clear and has the desired contrast levels for better sampling.
5. You may use the MidJourney Image to 3D.gh file to see how the image was uploaded into Grasshopper and converted into 3D.
6. To add color to the baked 3D module you just created, drag your Midjourney image and place it onto the 3D model in Rhino. It should envelop the 3D model and should look like a 3D version of the Midjourney image you created.
7. Then, create a surface in Rhino. You will aggregate your Midjourney module onto this surface.
8. After you've created your surface, you'll need to use Grasshopper to aggregate the module onto the surface. You may use the Mesh Aggregation.gh file.
9. On Grasshopper, change the values for different parameters to get a result that you're happy with.
10. Once you've finalized your design, you may bake it.

Tips:

• Keep in mind the scale and feasibility of the model for 3D printing while adjusting parameters. I had to resize my design in Rhino using the Scale function.
• Use Grasshopper’s preview features to visualize the model as you make adjustments.

Exporting the Model: Save your design in a format compatible with your 3D printer. For this project, I exported my file as a .mtl file.

• Printing: Follow your printer's guidelines to produce the art piece.
• Monitoring: Regularly check the print for any issues.

• Cleaning: Remove any supports and sand the print for smoothness.
• Painting: Optionally, paint your model to enhance its visual appeal, highlighting the unique features inspired by sea urchins and gerbera daisies.
• When I printed the single module, I printed in PolyJet and it printed the colors beautifully.
• When I printed my large design, I printed using resin therefore I had a clear-ish outcome with no color.

Display Suggestions: Choose a spot that highlights the intricate details and the interplay of both inspirations in your art piece. I chose to display the resin print with a light underneath the structure.