Idea Lab – Creative Resources

3D Printing Resources

Design & Create

• Tinkercad – Free. Create & export OBJ or STL files [Beginner] (Platform: desktop)
• Let’s Learn Tinkercad! (5 lessons, requires free Tinkercad account)
• SketchUp Free – Free. Create and export STL files. [Intermediate] (Platform: desktop)
• Painting 3D Printed Models  – Learn what paint to use with MakerBot PLA filament

Discover — File-sharing Sites

• Thingiverse
• MyMiniFactory
• Pinshape

Library Collection

• Browse the 621.988 call numbers in our adult and juvenile nonfiction areas, or search the catalog for three-dimensional printing.

Pottery Resources

Create & Learn

• Throwing a Pot: Part 1 | Throwing a Pot: Part 2 – Tutorials on centering, throwing, pulling and finishing properly
• Glazing 101 – Glazing tips
• The Clay Lady Channel – Great videos for beginner potters

Pottery Supplies  – Mid-South Ceramic Supply

WCPL stocks the Idea Lab with Mid-South Ceramic’s 610T White Stoneware Clay and Opulence Glazes. Check out their website for more information regarding their products.

Library Collection

• Browse the 738.1 call numbers in our adult nonfiction books, or search the catalog for pottery.

Graphic Design Resources

You can use these free programs to create designs for posters or t-shirts. You can also create SVG designs which can be imported in to Easel and VinylMaster to create cut files.

Vector

• Vectr – Create SVG, PNG, JPG files (Platform: web/desktop)
• Inkscape – Create SVG, PNG, JPG, PDF files (Platform: desktop)
• Gravit – Create PDF, SVG files (Platform: web/desktop)

Raster

• Pixlr – Create PNG, JPG, BMP, TIFF files (Platform: web)
• GIMP – Create PNG, JPG, BMP, TIFF, and more file types (Platform: desktop)
• Canva – Create custom PDFs from templates (Platform: web)

Vector vs Raster: Raster graphics are composed of pixels, and vector graphics are composed of paths. Raster graphics cannot be scaled larger without losing quality and become blocky and fuzzy (pixelated). Vector graphics can be scaled to any size without loss of quality.

Vinyl Resources

Adhesive/Heat Transfer Vinyl

You can use these free programs to create designs for t-shirts. You can also create SVG designs which can be imported in to VinylMaster to create cut files.

• Vectr – Create SVG, PNG, JPG files (Platform: web/desktop)
• Inkscape – Create SVG, PNG, JPG, PDF files (Platform: desktop)
• Gravit – Create PDF, SVG files (Platform: web/desktop)

Heat Transfer Vinyl

• How To Layer Heat Transfer Vinyl – This video gives a step-by-step tutorial on how to layer heat transfer vinyl onto a t-shirt.

Carvey – Tabletop CNC Router Resources

Design & Create

• Easel – Create your Carvey projects using this free web-based platform
• Invetables Projects – Get inspired for your next Carvey project

You can use these free programs to create designs for posters or t-shirts. You can also create SVG designs which can be imported in to Easel to create cut files.

• Vectr – Create SVG, PNG, JPG files (Platform: web/desktop)
• Inkscape – Create SVG, PNG, JPG, PDF files (Platform: desktop)
• Gravit – Create PDF, SVG files (Platform: web/desktop)

Supplies

• Inventables Store – Purchase materials directly from the creators of Carvey — Inventables
• Walnut Hollow – Purchase wood blanks for carving projects
• WoodCrafter – Purchase wood blanks for carving projects

Sewing Resources

Create & Learn

• Craftsy – A crafting blog with sewing fundamentals, techniques, pattern making, and more.

Library Collection

• Browse the 646.2 & 646.4 call numbers in our adult nonfiction books, or search the catalog for sewing or machine sewing –ebooks are available as well.

Embroidery Resources

Please note: the Idea Lab does has BES 4 Dream Edition embroidery software for use in the makerspace.

Create & Learn

• Stitching Sewcial – Brother’s blog on sewing, embroidering, and more.
• Crafting Projects – Tutorials and projects from the Brother site

Purchase Designs

• Designs by JuJu
• iBroidery – Marketplace for Brother embroidery machines – features licensed designs by Disney, Marvel & more.
• Rivermill Embroidery
• Kreative Kiwi
• Julia’s Needle Designs

Library Collection

• Browse the 746.44 call numbers in our adult nonfiction books, or search the catalog for embroidery or machine embroidery – ebooks are available as well.