WobbleWorks 3Doodler Create+ Review | Daxdi

Part creative tool, part toy, the WobbleWorks 3Doodler Create+ ($79.99) is the fourth generation in this line of handheld 3D printers.

This cool little gadget lets you freehand three-dimensional objects out of quick-hardening liquid plastic.

The structures you create are not very sturdy, so don't expect 3D printer-quality products, and it takes a few tries to get the hang of the technique.

But this tool is unmistakably fun and has excellent creative potential.

Sleek 3D Printer

I tested the 3Doodler Create+ Essential Pen Set, which includes the pen and three packs of plastic, but there are upgraded packages available.

For $99.99, the Create+ Deluxe Pen Set contains the pen, four packs of plastic filament, a Mini DoodlePad paper doodle surface, and a set of six changeable nozzles.

The Create+ Master Creator Pen Set goes for $149.99 and includes the pen, the set of nozzles, a full-size DoodlePad, a book of printing ideas, a set of 3D models you can doodle on top of, and six packs of plastic.

If you already own a previous version of the 3Doodler or Create pen, this new model is available through a trade-up bundle offer.

The "dog bowl" was created for Daxdi by Max Bogue, WobbleWorks CEO and cofounder.

The Create+ is small and sleek, weighing only 1.7 ounces.

At 6.25 inches from nozzle to end and about half an inch thick, it's compact and comfortable to hold.

It's offered in blue or white via the 3Doodler web store, and in black, camo green, grey, or pink exclusively from Amazon, and has a smooth glossy finish.

The body has a control switch at the top.

Fast and Slow speed buttons are located near the bottom.

Included in the box are 75 sticks of plastic filament in 14 colors.

These feed into the Create+'s loading port, where they are then melted and turned into printing material.

Two of the most popular 3D printing filaments, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polylactic acid (PLA) plastic, are included with the Essential Pen Set.

The Create+ also supports FLEXY, a third kind of plastic, but this wasn't included in our testing.

For the purposes of the Create+ pen, there isn't much difference besides ABS and PLA, aside from the colors available in the 3Doodler store and the slight burning smell that ABS plastic makes as it melts.

If the smell bothers you, switch to PLA plastic.

Also in the box are the power adapter; a tool for unblocking and pushing plastic into the drive gear; a mini screwdriver for removing the maintenance cover to adjust temperature; and a mini spanner for unscrewing the nozzle, in case you buy additional nozzles and want to swap them out.

(Note that you should only unscrew the nozzle when it's hot, so use extreme caution when doing so.) The 3Doodler online store sells more accessories for the Create+, including additional nozzles, stands, and filament.

Preparing to Print

To start using the Create+, plug in the power cord and slide the control switch from Off to either PLA or ABS/FLX, depending on the kind of filament you're using.

For testing, I chose ABS.

Unfortunately, unlike the 3Doodler Start (a model aimed at children age 8 to 13), the Create+ isn't wireless and has to remain plugged in.

But the power adapter cord is long enough to let you move comfortably while doodling—just make sure to keep the Create+ tip from touching the cord.

The pen takes about 80 seconds to warm up, at which point the light turns from red to blue to indicate that the Create+ is ready to use.

Note that the nozzle tip is small but very hot.

Between the lower speed button and the nozzle is a silicone cap that blocks heat from where you hold it, but it won't completely shield fingers from a burn if your hand slides too far forward.

For this reason, it's probably best to keep it out of the hands of younger kids.

3Doodler's website notes that the 3Doodler 2.0 (the previous version) is intended for ages 14 and up.

There isn't any age range specifically mentioned on the box of the Create+, but a company representative suggests 12 and older.

To start printing, insert a plastic stick into the loading port—a small hole at the end opposite the nozzle.

Pressing the Fast key starts the drive gear, which pulls the plastic through the Create+.

It takes about 8 seconds to load the first stick of plastic.

Once it reaches melting temperature, a fine line of plastic extrudes from the nozzle, and you're ready to create.

You may notice an initial burning-plastic smell and a bit of smoke.

Using the Create+

You'll need a flat surface to print on, and doodling on top of a piece of paper gives the plastic something to melt to.

The filament will peel cleanly off the paper after it cools.

You'll first need to draw a base for your creation. I recommend starting with the Slow speed to get a feel for the motion.

Fast mode is hard to control at first—straight lines might curl if your Create+ moves slower than the rate at which the plastic is extruded.

I used Slow with much more success.

The plastic solidified quickly and wasn't pulled up from my paper when I moved the Create+ away.

To build vertical structures, set the Create+ to Slow and draw a line from the base to the desired height.

Hold the Create+ still for several seconds at this height until the plastic cools and hardens enough to support its own weight.

Pausing the Create+ for a few seconds might cause the tip to cool slightly, and it will still be hot to the touch, but the plastic inside may solidify and get stuck momentarily until it reheats and the plastic resumes flowing.

Globs of dried plastic might form at the tip of the Create+, but these can easily be removed with a pair of tweezers.

One-click buttons for Fast and Slow settings are great for drawing longer lines and larger shapes, because unlike with earlier models, the button doesn't need to be held down for continuous doodling.

Click once to start, and click a second time to stop.

You can doodle in only one color at a time, but you can switch colors: A double click of either button reverses the direction the drive gear pushes the filament.

Just reverse the filament and eject it to place a new color in.

You'll want to be sure to switch off the power when you're done, but a new sleep mode will automatically shut the printer down after about 3 minutes of inactivity.

Useful Guidance

The number of resources that 3Doodler provides to get you started is impressive.

The company's YouTube page has a number of instructional videos, as well as project tutorials for the Create+ for once you've mastered the technique but aren't sure what to doodle.

Two helpful booklets are included in the box: the "Ultimate Guide To Doodling" and a more technical user guide.

The user guide offers details and tips, such as how to create vertical structures, with colorful pictures of projects and simple directions on how to get started.

Don't expect to be an expert in 3D drawing right off the bat, though.

While the controls are easy to grasp, mastering the technique takes some trial and error.

For example, when drawing flat shapes, I first held the Create+ about a half-inch above the surface of the paper, because I was hesitant to touch the nozzle directly to the surface.

I had much more control over the shape of my doodle by gently pressing the nozzle to the paper, like you might with a ballpoint pen on paper.

The two positions that were most comfortable to me while holding the Create+ resulted in my fingers not even touching any of the control buttons, or with my fingers resting directly on both buttons at once and accidentally clicking buttons repeatedly.

After clicking the button once, the plastic comes out continuously until a second click, so you'll want to position your fingers so you can quickly hit the control buttons, especially when trying to draw precisely.

Fun for Artists and Hobbyists

The Create+ is a user-friendly, intuitive handheld 3D printing pen that has great creative potential.

Even though the 3Doodler pen lacks the ability to make objects with the high-resolution detail of a 3D printer, it makes up for that in versatility and ease of use if you're willing to be patient and practice the technique.

For help getting started or inspiration for projects, the community page on the 3Doodler features a collection of website tutorials, tips, videos, and stencils.

If you already own a previous version of the 3Doodler, trading up to this new model is worthwhile for the slimmer design and easier controls (plus, you get the discount mentioned earlier).

If you own a 3Doodler Create, the Create+ features are fairly similar, so unless you're particularly interested in safety features like sleep mode, upgrading your Create isn't particularly urgent.

While $79.99 might seem a little steep for a niche product, the opportunity to sketch 3D art in mid-air is exciting.

The 3Doodler will appeal to artists in search of a new medium, DIY hobbyists looking for a way to make funky creations, and tech enthusiasts ready to hop on board with the latest in 3D rendering tools.