Make a Mini or Giant Accurate Model of Your Hand! Easy Process! How to Create Molds, 3D Scan, Scale, and Print Models!

This Instructables will teach you how to make an accurate replica of your hands, or any other object of your choice, to display. This process will use a variety of skills and materials to get the best results. Enjoy, and I hope you learned something!

While this Instructables can be replicated with different materials and methods, adhering to the following guide will ensure the best results. With that in mind, I suggest you have the following resources:

1. Algenate mold-making kit
2. Plaster of Paris
3. 3D scanner (iPhone Apps Work Fine)
4. Autodesk Fusion 360
5. 3D Printer, Slicer, and Filament

The first step in this process is to create the female mold of your object, which is done by using alginate and the steps below.

1. Mix enough alginate to cover the object and follow the package instructions
2. Submerge the object in the alginate and wait for it to harden according to the directions
3. Remove object after the alginate has solidified

Now you have the female part of your mold!

Now that you have created the female mold, you can create the plaster replica of the object. The reason this step is necessary is because it creates a scannable mold that will be perfectly stationary and non-reflective for optimal scanning and creates a cool plaster replica as an added bonus! The below steps will detail the process:

1. Mix the Plaster of Paris according to the package directions
2. Pour the plaster into the alginate mold
3. Wait 24 hours for the plaster to harden and submerge the alginate mold in water, where it will dissolve.

Congratulations, now you have your scalable replica!

Congratulations, you made it to the last step! Follow the steps below, and you will be done!

1. Use your scanner or phone to create a 3D model
2. Export the 3D model and import it into Fusion 360
3. Use the "scale" tool to size your creation correctly
4. Export your file as an STL and import it into your printer
5. Print and enjoy!

I hope you enjoyed this guide and found it useful!