Home
Adult learning and short courses
3D Design, Animation and Artificial Intelligence
3D Design and 3D Printing – an Introduct...

3D Design and 3D Printing – an Introduction

Ages: 18+
Term: Spring
Length: 10 weeks

Overview

This exciting new course will teach you how to use Plasticity, an upcoming CAD Modelling software popular among independent 3D printers and designers, and you'll be guided to take your ideas from a simple concept and turn them into 3D printable designs.

To book your place today, simply click the 'Book Now' button to be taken to AUB's secure online store, where you can complete your booking. You can also sign up to our newsletter for short course updates.

What you need to know

Spring term 2026

Monday 12 January – 16 March 2026 (10 Monday evenings, 18.00-21.00)

Age

Suitable for adults aged 18+.

Level

Beginners or anyone with some experience who want to refresh or develop their skills further.

Experience or qualifications required

None – this is an introductory course. We have no formal academic entry requirements for our short courses.

If you'd like to discuss if this course is suitable for you, get in touch with us: academy@aub.ac.uk or 01202 363222.

£359

Any additional costs

You'll need to provide your own USB flash drive. This'll incur an additional cost if you need to purchase one for the course. See the 'What to bring to class' section below for full details.

Course materials included in the price

Any additional materials and resources not listed below will be provided by AUB.

USB flash drive
Notebook and pens/pencils to take notes

A student stands painting two cherries in a sketch book.

Suggested Suppliers

Information about resourcing specialist materials/consumables that you may need to bring these with you

A flower and a pair of sunglasses rest on a pair of boxes. A stiletto heel shoe and a handbag are sitting in front of another box. The other stiletto heel shoe is on top of one of the boxes.

Short Courses FAQs – Evening and Weekend and Saturday Art School

If you have any questions about our Evening and Saturday Short Courses, you may find the answers in here.

A person leans in and looks closely at a big display board with assorted pieces of graphic design work.

Short Courses booking T&Cs

Please read our Terms and Conditions carefully before booking onto our Evening and Weekend courses.

About this course

You'll be expertly guided by your tutor, through both simple and more advanced techniques using Plasticity software, making this the perfect starting point for anyone wishing to explore the world of 3D Design and 3D Printing. 

Throughout the course you'll be provided with an overview of the basic operations within Plasticity. This includes exploring the interface, best practices, sketching, extruding, sculpting and surface modelling.

You'll also be introduced to the core concepts of 3D Printing. This includes learning how to prepare files, introducing slicing software such as Cura, introduction to different types of 3D printers, and you'll have the opportunity to 3D print your designs.

Introduction to Plasticity
Exploring the Interface 
Basic modelling techniques 
Introduction to the Timeline  
Rendering 
Saving and exporting files from Fusion 360 
An Introduction to 3D Printing and different types of 3D printers 
Introduction to Slicing Software and How to prepare a file for printing 
Understanding different materials 
3D Printing objects

At the end of the course you'll:

Provide a comprehensive introduction and overview of Plasticity and 3D Printing
Develop your understanding of 3D design software and 3D printing
Provide you with the knowledge and opportunity to take your designs from concept to 3D printed output
Possess improved artistic skills
Have increased confidence in your own skills and feel inspired
Have boosted creativity and imagination
Possess the foundations to continue creating beyond this course
You can request a certificate to confirm your achievements, providing you've a 100% attendance record. To request a certificate please get in touch with us at academy@aub.ac.uk and confirm your name and the title of course you've completed.

Will I be assessed?

No, there's no formal assessment. As the course progresses your tutor will measure your overall performance and offer essential guidance and feedback so you know how you're getting on.

Book your place today

Book now

3D print gallery

Innovation Studio, photographed by Richard Bryant. Photo of an interior space, with three people sat around a table in the middle. Further up, a person leans on a metal railing. Above them, a clock hangs from the ceiling.

Front elevation of the Innovation Studio. Two students walking up to it.

Beyond the course

This could just be the start of your creative journey! After this course, you could further your 3D design skills with another short course or look to the future and explore our creative qualifications that can prepare you to further your current career, enable you to retrain to an alternative career path or prepare you for future creative arts studies.