3Doodler Create+ review: A 3D-printing pen that rewards the patient
3D printing has spread to many fields since it first took off — it's used by students as well as creatives — but the hardware remains intimidating to the general consumer. When 3Doodler first launched on Kickstarter in February 2013, the company's idea of a 3D-printing pen seemed like a great an easy way to reach a mass audience.
Today, the company is launching the 3Doodler Create+, the latest model of its original 3D printing pen, and upgrade of the unique idea that got the brand started. By far the coolest thing about the 3Doodler and 3D-printing pens like it is that they let you "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 midair.
It brings some new improvements to the idea of what a pen can be and allows you to make some pretty cool creations.
Design
Image: DUSTIN DRANKOSKI/MASHABLE
The Create+ feels sturdy and well built, with a mostly plastic design. You hold it just like a traditional pen, although it is a bit thicker and weighs more. Still, it should fit in most people's hands relatively comfortably, and you can always adjust it will crafting.
The instructions warn you, and I will as well, that the tip gets hot while you use the pen, though it has a cover around it. This is to be expected given that it is heating up 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 too bad at all, with a fast and slow mode. These two buttons are found near the bottom of the pen; I think you will find yourself mostly using fast to create. Near the top, you have a slider button that you set to the type of plastic you will be using. This pen supports PLA along with ABS and Flexy plastics; you will find them split up this way on the controller.
Along the top of the pen, there's an LED light and a charging port. 3Doodler did not pack a rechargeable battery inside the Create+ and likely for a good reason, as it would increase the size and might not last that long. But having the pen be corded does it have its disadvantages. Like the fact that the cord can get in the way and you do need to use it near a power source.
Materials
Image: DUSTIN DRANKOSKI/MASHABLE
A big pro of the 3Doodler Create+ is the inclusion of plastic in the box. Even with the base set, aka the 3Doodler Create+ Essential Pen Set, you get three packs of plastic, including some neon, matte, and glossy colors.
These packs represent your starting points for creating and should let you create several items right from the get-go. And when these run out, the packs are relatively affordable at $8 for 25 strands.
You load these strands of material into the top of the 3Doodler Create+ when your ready to print.
What to make?
Image: DUSTIN DRANKOSKI/MASHABLE
I am not the most gifted artist out there, to say the least, but 3Doodler offers a variety of stencils to help get the creative juices flowing. There is a large community that 3Doodler hosts on their site and you can get stencils for almost anything and everything.
I crafted a few cord holders, which, while small, did pose some challenges — like being able to layer the pen's 3D "ink" in a way that wouldn’t overlap the area needed for the cord. You can also download ornaments, frame holders, and even phone cases. Some of the stencils have more practical uses, but a majority of them I would say are for decorations and fun stuff.
There is also an absolute thrill to just signing your name in the air or on a sheet, but being able to pick it up. When I was showing the 3Doodler off to my team at Mashable, this was the entry-level experience for trying out the device.
To really put the 3Doodler Create+ Pen and my abilities to the test, I decided on a, ahem, not life-size, bicycle.
Using the pen
Image: DUSTIN DRANKOSKI/MASHABLE
There is a learning curve when using the 3Doodler Create+, as I at least felt the need to use it as a typical pen. But finding the right speed to print at and the best way to hold will definitely vary by project and by person.
The first step was to plug the pen in and to find a good workspace. You want to make sure you're near an outlet and have a good amount of space. From there you choose your color strand, I opted for a matte green and a neon green. You load each strand of ink into the top of the Create+ and then turn it on by selecting which type of plastic you are using.
The light will start off on red, and when it turns blue, you are ready to print. You then choose the speed of printing — fast or slow. I opted for fast as it seems the most like regular writing while also providing me with enough reaction time to follow the stencil or craft freely.
When building in 3D, you want to have a good foundation, and the pen does make that pretty easy. You simply add layer after layer until you reach the height you're looking for, or when you have filled the stencil. I think the hardest part of making the bike wasn't the frame or the handlebars, but the tires. Especially with the spokes on each wheel, as with 3D ink, it all needs to be physically connected.
This can cause some issues, and it did, as the strands can get tangled. It is also pretty time-consuming to go one strand at a time, stop the pen, let it cool for a second, and then quickly move the pen to have it detach. While this issue does trace back to the medium you are using, I was hoping that 3Doodler could have innovated a bit more with getting the material to cool quickly and when detaching it, so as to not create a mess with little strands stick off.
Also, having to stop so often can really ruin your 3D-printing mojo. When you get in the zone, you don't really want to take to many breaks.
When you do finish your project, you should turn the pen off and let it cool. You might also find that the Pen continues to ooze out some ink for a few seconds after it has turned off. And if you do ever leave the Create+ on by accident, be assured that it does have an auto sleep function for safety.
The pen that's also a creator
While the 3Doodler Create+ does have some shortcomings with crafting and the inconvenience of needing to be plugged in, it does pack a punch with affordability.
The 3Doodler Create+ Essential Pen Set is $79.99, including the pen itself and three packs of plastic. There is not a price increase from the previous model, but you do get a better printing experience and a slimmer design.
While you might be tempted to simply unpack the Create+ and start whipping it around like some kind of real-world version of Tilt Brush, 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.
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