3Doodler Create+ review: A 3D printing pen that rewards the patient

3D printing has spread to many fields since it first took off, it is used by students and creatives alike, but the hardware continues to intimidate the general consumer. When 3Doodler first launched on Kickstarter in February 2013, the company’s idea for a 3D printing pen seemed like a great easy way to reach a mass audience.

Today, the company launches 3Doodler Create+(opens in a new tab), the latest model of their original 3D printing pen and the update of the unique idea that gave rise to the brand. By far the best thing about the 3Doodler and 3D printing pens is that they allow you to “draw” in three dimensions. You need to go slow and your objects need to be grounded in some way, but with practice you can 3D print in mid-air.

It brings some new enhancements to the idea of ​​what a pen can be and allows you to make some cool creations.

Design

The Create+ feels sturdy and well built, with a mostly plastic design. You hold it like a traditional pen, although it’s a bit thicker and weighs more. Still, it should fit most people’s hands relatively comfortably, and can always be adjusted for crafting.

The instructions warn you, and I will too, that the tip gets hot while you use the pen, even though it has a cover around it. This is to be expected since you are heating the plastic strands that do the printing. Just be careful not to directly touch the tip before, during and after use.

The controls are not bad at all, with a fast and slow mode. These two buttons are near the bottom of the pen; I think you’ll find yourself using mostly quick to create. Near the top, you have a slider that you set for the type of plastic you’ll be using. This pen is compatible with PLA along with ABS and Flexy plastics; you will find them split like this in the controller.

Along the top of the pen, there is an LED light and a charging port. 3Doodler didn’t include a rechargeable battery inside Create+ and probably for good reason, as it would increase the size and might not last as long. But having the corded pen does have its drawbacks. Like the fact that the cable can get in the way and you need to use it near a power source.

Materials

Credit: DUSTIN DRANKOSKI/MASHABLE

A great advantage of 3Doodler Create+ is the inclusion of plastic in the box. Even with the basic set, also known as the 3Doodler Create+ Essential Pen Set, you get three plastic packs, including some neon, matte, and glossy colors.

These packs represent your starting points for crafting and should allow you to craft multiple items from scratch. And when they do run out, the packs are relatively affordable at $8 for 25 strands.

Load these strands of material into the top of 3Doodler Create+ when you’re ready to print.

To do?

Credit: DUSTIN DRANKOSKI/MASHABLE

I’m not the most talented artist out there, to say the least, but 3Doodler offers a variety of templates to help get the creativity flowing. There is a huge community that hosts 3Doodler on their site and you can get templates for just about anything.

I designed some cable holders that, while small, posed some challenges, like being able to layer the 3D “ink” from the pen in a way that didn’t overlap the area needed for the cable. You can also download embellishments, frame holders, and even phone cases. Some of the templates have more practical uses, but I’d say most of them are for decoration and fun stuff.

There is also an absolute thrill in simply signing your name in the air or on a sheet, but being able to pick it up. When I was showing off 3Doodler to my team at Mashable, this was the basic experience for testing the device.

To really put the 3Doodler Create+ Pen and my skills to the test, I settled on a, um, not a full-size bike.

using the pen

Credit: DUSTIN DRANKOSKI/MASHABLE

There is a learning curve to using 3Doodler Create+, as I at least felt the need to use it like a typical pen. But finding the right speed to print and the best way to hold will definitely vary by project and person.

The first step was plugging in the pen and finding a good work space. You want to make sure you are close to a point of sale and have a good amount of space. From there you choose your lock color, I opted for a matte green and a neon green. You load each strand of ink into the top of Create+ and then turn it on by selecting what type of plastic you’re using.

The light will turn red, and when it turns blue, you are ready to print. Next, choose your print speed: fast or slow. I opted for fast as it is more like regular writing while still giving me enough reaction time to freely follow the template or craft.

When you build in 3D, you want to have a good foundation, and the pencil makes that pretty easy. You simply add layer after layer until you reach the height you are looking for, or when you have filled the stencil. I think the hardest part of making the bike was not the frame or the handlebars, but the tires. Especially with the spokes on each wheel, just like with 3D ink, everything has to be physically connected.

This can cause some problems, and it did, as the threads can get tangled. It also takes a long time to go through one strand at a time, stop the pen, let it cool for a second, and then quickly flick the pen apart. While this issue goes back to the medium you’re using, I was hoping 3Doodler could have innovated a bit more by making the material cool quickly and separating it, so as not to create a mess with little threads sticking together.

Also, having to stop so often can really ruin your 3D printing mojo. When you get to the zone, you really don’t want to take a lot of breaks.

When you finish your project, you should turn off the pen and let it cool down. You may also notice that the pen continues to ooze ink for a few seconds after it is turned off. And if you ever accidentally leave Create+ on, rest assured it has an auto-sleep feature for safety.

The pen that is also creative

While the 3Doodler Create+ has some shortcomings with crafting and the inconvenience of having to plug it in, it packs a punch for its affordability.

The 3Doodler Create+ Essential Pen Set is $79.99 and includes the pen and three plastic packs. There’s no price increase over the previous model, but you do get a better printing experience and a slimmer design.

While you may be tempted to just unpack the Create+(opens in a new tab) and start moving it like some kind of real Tilt Brush version, that’s not the right approach. Using this tool requires patience, but if you’re willing to put in the time, you’ll be amazed at what you can create.