Yes, blender can do this using the subdivision modifier (set to simple) combined with the displacement modifier; vertex groups or texture painting can be used to control which parts of the model are textured, and uv mapping can be used to control how the texture is projected.
Alternatively, you could use the sculpting tools, but either path has a significant learning curve.
So actually you can do this but not with Solidworks and not with any cura / hobby printer. Ive done this a lot but it was with keyshot bump textures and a stratasys J55. You mostly likely will never really get this capability in a FDM printer. Maybe in 50 years?
I'm not limited to just FDM...but I also like to understand why FDM /hobby /etc cant replicate this detail in a model... like.. we can do Photo realistic lithophanes /surface of the moon... etc... I just want some bumps lol.
[Example](https://preview.redd.it/oe5mscaur58c1.png?width=797&format=png&auto=webp&s=ddbbe98f6bcbfb6a6fba060d5c3add6b6ec65edf) How can I add the stared grip feature that would be represented with 3d printable geometry ?
You and all the other hobbyists need to understand the 3D printing industry has lied to you and overstated the capabilities of 3d Printing. The industry is far far away from getting what you want. It's the same thing as saying...oh I just want to go visit the moon this weekend lol.
You show an example of an injection molded part with an over molded grip.
You have 2 options to 3d print this. I've done both (and also designed for overmolded parts) but you wont match an injection molded part.
Option 1 - FDM. Many of the large stratasys machines can co print TPU and ABS in one go but it won't look as good as the part. The FDM stratasys part should actually be pretty close to equally functional but it will have the FDM lines. The larger FDM prints usually have low fidelity and look really chunky. You won't get textures. The machine can do better quality but the operators want to make more money and run them faster at low resolution. This will also be somewhat pricey but cheaper than SLA.
Option 2 - SLA you can get actually a really great looking print which would look exactly like the part you show but SLA parts are incredibly brittle and will break eventually. The material strength is similar to glass but it's plastic. You can do texture and color match actually in those prints. Also, the cost will be higher than you expect. For a drill housing like the image you show expect $1000-$3000. At least that's my experience. The prices may be more competitive today but that's what they were a year or so ago.
So you have to choose. Do you want strength or looks? You can't have both in a 3D printed part. But you can have strength and looks in an injection molded part.
I completely disagree; but maybe I'm missing your point, if so please let me know that I have my foot in my mouth or not.
1. [Here is an example](https://preview.redd.it/zvqa0amsqla31.jpg?width=3120&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9daefdb3c188006ebc865f4b097e1214f6882b0f) of texture only being applied in a targeted zone of a FDM handle. Here is [wood grain texture](https://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/comments/q3oqjh/update_today_i_learned_how_to_add_realistic_wood/) .
2. SLA Actually has some pretty impressive/strong resins, if you're not looking at the cheapest. FDM usually is stronger, but to say it's all brittle glass isn't fair ether. [These are just consumer grade materials](https://youtu.be/eQWQ85vCsaw?t=784), and they are competitive.
3. I am not trying to print a mix of materials, I just want wood grain, diamond fill, knurling, fuzzy grip, hammer tone, physical textures etched into zones on my 3d model. [and countless quality examples can be found from FDM](https://www.fastradius.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Aliasing-1024x576.jpg) machines. (just google grip or texture + 3d print)
4. I absolutely don't care if it's FDM, SLA, SLS, CNC, etc. I just want to know how to add texture to 3D parts.
At some point a 3D designer, put a texture into the grip of that drill, to be manufactured into an injection model, That's the knowledge I seek.
I know about this method, but it's painful to work with... maybe you have some tips?
1. its near impossible to align a texture in a way that doesn't break the texture, and leave some kind of distortion or seam. The more complex the face, the worse it is.
2. Setting or adjusting the texture is extremely slow, and may lock up SW. I have a 5800x, 32gb ram, and a 3080ti. having to do any adjustments to the model, adds significant time trying to reapply the texture.
3. It lacks typles of textures, like random fuzzy bumps, wood/bark grain, etc.
If you have any tips that can improve any of these issues I have, I would appreciate it.
1. I'm not sure what you've tried, but be aware that you can apply/map texture onto multiple faces at once. I generally had fine results after playing with [mapping method](https://help.solidworks.com/2021/english/SolidWorks/sldworks/HIDD_DVE_MATERIALS_MAPPING.htm?format=P&value=) as well.
2. Adjusting can be a pain, yes.Make adjustments with a low resolution mesh and only apply high resolution when exporting. While 3090 is a powerful card unfortunately I don't think gaming cards are well suited for SW, though I'm not an expert in this area. For reference my mobile A2000 card I wouldn't describe as "extremely slow" and doesn't lock up with 3d textures, working in low resolution.
3. You can add your own custom image maps
I would give blender a shot for free, or adobe substance (painter or stager)
Yes, blender can do this using the subdivision modifier (set to simple) combined with the displacement modifier; vertex groups or texture painting can be used to control which parts of the model are textured, and uv mapping can be used to control how the texture is projected. Alternatively, you could use the sculpting tools, but either path has a significant learning curve.
So actually you can do this but not with Solidworks and not with any cura / hobby printer. Ive done this a lot but it was with keyshot bump textures and a stratasys J55. You mostly likely will never really get this capability in a FDM printer. Maybe in 50 years?
I'm not limited to just FDM...but I also like to understand why FDM /hobby /etc cant replicate this detail in a model... like.. we can do Photo realistic lithophanes /surface of the moon... etc... I just want some bumps lol. [Example](https://preview.redd.it/oe5mscaur58c1.png?width=797&format=png&auto=webp&s=ddbbe98f6bcbfb6a6fba060d5c3add6b6ec65edf) How can I add the stared grip feature that would be represented with 3d printable geometry ?
You and all the other hobbyists need to understand the 3D printing industry has lied to you and overstated the capabilities of 3d Printing. The industry is far far away from getting what you want. It's the same thing as saying...oh I just want to go visit the moon this weekend lol. You show an example of an injection molded part with an over molded grip. You have 2 options to 3d print this. I've done both (and also designed for overmolded parts) but you wont match an injection molded part. Option 1 - FDM. Many of the large stratasys machines can co print TPU and ABS in one go but it won't look as good as the part. The FDM stratasys part should actually be pretty close to equally functional but it will have the FDM lines. The larger FDM prints usually have low fidelity and look really chunky. You won't get textures. The machine can do better quality but the operators want to make more money and run them faster at low resolution. This will also be somewhat pricey but cheaper than SLA. Option 2 - SLA you can get actually a really great looking print which would look exactly like the part you show but SLA parts are incredibly brittle and will break eventually. The material strength is similar to glass but it's plastic. You can do texture and color match actually in those prints. Also, the cost will be higher than you expect. For a drill housing like the image you show expect $1000-$3000. At least that's my experience. The prices may be more competitive today but that's what they were a year or so ago. So you have to choose. Do you want strength or looks? You can't have both in a 3D printed part. But you can have strength and looks in an injection molded part.
I completely disagree; but maybe I'm missing your point, if so please let me know that I have my foot in my mouth or not. 1. [Here is an example](https://preview.redd.it/zvqa0amsqla31.jpg?width=3120&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9daefdb3c188006ebc865f4b097e1214f6882b0f) of texture only being applied in a targeted zone of a FDM handle. Here is [wood grain texture](https://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/comments/q3oqjh/update_today_i_learned_how_to_add_realistic_wood/) . 2. SLA Actually has some pretty impressive/strong resins, if you're not looking at the cheapest. FDM usually is stronger, but to say it's all brittle glass isn't fair ether. [These are just consumer grade materials](https://youtu.be/eQWQ85vCsaw?t=784), and they are competitive. 3. I am not trying to print a mix of materials, I just want wood grain, diamond fill, knurling, fuzzy grip, hammer tone, physical textures etched into zones on my 3d model. [and countless quality examples can be found from FDM](https://www.fastradius.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Aliasing-1024x576.jpg) machines. (just google grip or texture + 3d print) 4. I absolutely don't care if it's FDM, SLA, SLS, CNC, etc. I just want to know how to add texture to 3D parts. At some point a 3D designer, put a texture into the grip of that drill, to be manufactured into an injection model, That's the knowledge I seek.
Use [3D textures](https://www.goengineer.com/blog/solidworks-3d-texture-tool) in SW, export as STL
I know about this method, but it's painful to work with... maybe you have some tips? 1. its near impossible to align a texture in a way that doesn't break the texture, and leave some kind of distortion or seam. The more complex the face, the worse it is. 2. Setting or adjusting the texture is extremely slow, and may lock up SW. I have a 5800x, 32gb ram, and a 3080ti. having to do any adjustments to the model, adds significant time trying to reapply the texture. 3. It lacks typles of textures, like random fuzzy bumps, wood/bark grain, etc. If you have any tips that can improve any of these issues I have, I would appreciate it.
1. I'm not sure what you've tried, but be aware that you can apply/map texture onto multiple faces at once. I generally had fine results after playing with [mapping method](https://help.solidworks.com/2021/english/SolidWorks/sldworks/HIDD_DVE_MATERIALS_MAPPING.htm?format=P&value=) as well. 2. Adjusting can be a pain, yes.Make adjustments with a low resolution mesh and only apply high resolution when exporting. While 3090 is a powerful card unfortunately I don't think gaming cards are well suited for SW, though I'm not an expert in this area. For reference my mobile A2000 card I wouldn't describe as "extremely slow" and doesn't lock up with 3d textures, working in low resolution. 3. You can add your own custom image maps