In this module, we will take the AI images you generated and convert them into 3D models using Tripo.AI and Meshy.AI — a powerful tools that transforms 2D images into printable 3D meshes.

This is the magic step where your ideas become reality!

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🎬 Lesson 3.1 - Introduction to Tripo.AI

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Welcome to Module 3 — this is where the real magic happens! ✨

In this module, we’ll take the optimized images you created in Module 2 — and convert them into 3D models using Tripo.AI.

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🧠 What is Tripo.AI?

Tripo.AI is a cutting-edge AI-based 3D conversion platform.

It allows you to:
✅ Upload 2D images
✅ Automatically generate 3D meshes with depth and structure
✅ Export the model in formats ready for 3D printing (GLB / OBJ → STL)

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🎯 Why is Tripo.AI so useful?

✅ It makes the 3D creation process accessible — no need to model in Blender or ZBrush.
✅ It saves hours of manual sculpting.
✅ It produces fast, clean base meshes you can print directly or further refine.
✅ It works perfectly with the AI-to-3D workflow you’re learning in this course!

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🚀 How does it work?

Under the hood:
✅ Tripo.AI uses AI vision models + depth estimation networks to analyze your 2D image.
✅ It infers volume, shape, and structure — generating a watertight 3D mesh.
✅ You can preview, adjust, and export your model in a few clicks.

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✔️ How to get the best results with Tripo.AI

It works best when your image follows these rules:

✅ White background
👉 Helps the AI easily detect edges and subject boundaries.

✅ Full-body subject
👉 The AI can only model what it can "see" — missing parts will cause errors.

✅ Centered composition
👉 Keeps the model balanced in the 3D space → better symmetry and structure.

✅ Sharp edges & clean details
👉 Helps the AI generate better mesh accuracy.

✅ Even lighting
👉 Prevents shadows from confusing the depth estimation.

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⚠️ What causes problems?

❌ Complex backgrounds → noisy or broken mesh
❌ Cut-off limbs → incomplete model
❌ Blurry images → flat or poorly defined model
❌ Extreme angles → strange depth artifacts

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🏆 Summary

✅ Tripo.AI is a fast, user-friendly tool for turning your 2D images into 3D models.

✅ If you followed the guidelines in Module 2, your images are already perfectly prepared to get great results.

✅ In the next lesson, you’ll learn step-by-step how to:
👉 Create your Tripo.AI account
👉 Upload your images
👉 Generate your first 3D models!

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🛠️ Lesson 3.2 - Setting Up Tripo.AI

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Now that you understand what Tripo.AI does and how it works — let’s get you set up so you can start creating your first 3D models! 🚀

This is a quick and easy process — you’ll be ready to upload your images in just a few minutes.

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1️⃣ Go to the Tripo.AI Website

👉 Visit: https://tripo.ai

This is the official platform where you will:
✅ Upload your images
✅ Generate your 3D models
✅ Preview and export them

👉 You can access it from any modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge).

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2️⃣ Create Your Free Account

✅ Click “Sign Up” or “Get Started” on the Tripo.AI homepage.

✅ You can register using:
✅ Email + password
✅ Or quickly with Google login

👉 Free Account:
✅ Gives you access to basic 3D generation
✅ Perfect for testing and practicing

👉 Paid Plans (Optional):
✅ Unlock higher resolution meshes
✅ Faster processing
✅ More export options

Tip: You can complete this course perfectly well with a free account — upgrade later if you want pro-level detail for advanced projects.

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3️⃣ Familiarize Yourself with the Interface

✅ Once logged in, take a few minutes to explore the dashboard:

👉 Upload Section
✅ This is where you will drag and drop your images for conversion.

👉 3D Preview Window
✅ Once a model is generated, you can view, rotate, and inspect it here.

👉 Export Options
✅ After previewing, you’ll export your model as GLB or OBJ (which we will later convert to STL).

👉 Account Settings
✅ Manage your plan, download history, and preferences.

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🏆 Summary of Lesson 3.2

✅ You’ve now:
✅ Visited Tripo.AI
✅ Created your account
✅ Explored the interface

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🚀 Next Step: Uploading Your Image!

In the next lesson, you’ll:
👉 Upload your first optimized image
👉 Generate your first 3D model!

Ready? Let’s move to Lesson 3.3 — Uploading Your Image! 🚀✨

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📂 Lesson 3.3 — Uploading Your Image (User Interface Step-by-Step)

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When you log in to TRIPO.AI, this is the Home Page you will see:

 

 

👉 Here you can choose what type of content you want to create.

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🚀 STEP 1 — Click on “3D Model Generator”

✅ For our workflow, we will be using “3D Model Generator” (yellow box).

👉 Click “3D Model Generator” — this will take you to the 3D Model Generation Interface.

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🚀 STEP 2 — Understanding the User Interface

When you enter, you will see this interface:

 

 

Let’s go over each part of the interface, step-by-step:

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🔍 LEFT PANEL — “Generate 3D Models” Section

✅ This is your main control panel for generating models.

You will see:

👉 One-Click / Build & Refine — two generation modes:

• One-Click = quick generation

• Build & Refine = more options for fine-tuning

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👉 Generation Options:

✅ Text to 3D → generate models from text prompts (we won’t use this in this module).
✅ Image to 3D → this is the option YOU will use — to upload your images from Module 2.
✅ Multi-views to 3D → upload multiple angles (optional, more advanced).
✅ Batch 3D Gen → generate multiple models at once (advanced, PRO).

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👉 Additional settings:

✅ Private toggle — keeps your generation private (recommended).
✅ Smart Low Poly — generates a lower poly version for games (keep OFF for now).
✅ Generate in Parts — useful for complex models (OFF for now).
✅ Topology — triangle or quad mesh (default triangle is fine).
✅ Polycount slider — control mesh density (Auto is fine for most cases).

✅ Generate button (yellow) — when ready, click to start generation!

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🔍 CENTER PANEL — 3D Viewport

✅ This is where your generated 3D model will appear.

👉 You can:
✅ Rotate
✅ Zoom in/out
✅ Inspect the mesh

👉 At first, this will be empty — until you generate your first model.

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🔍 RIGHT PANEL — Assets (Your Models)

✅ My Assets tab:
👉 This shows all the 3D models you’ve generated so far.

✅ You can see:
👉 Current models in progress (with progress bar).
👉 Completed models — with previews you can click on.

✅ You can also:
👉 Download the model (GLB, OBJ, STL — depending on plan).
👉 Re-open models for editing or re-export.

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🏆 Summary of the Interface

✅ Left panel → Where you choose generation options & start generation.
✅ Center panel → Where you preview your 3D model.
✅ Right panel → Where your models are saved & managed.

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🚀 Next Step — Uploading your image

👉 In the next part of this lesson, you will:
✅ Click on Image to 3D
✅ Upload one of your prepared images (from Module 2).
✅ Start generating your first 3D model! 🚀

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Now that you know how the Tripo.AI interface works — it’s time to upload your first image and generate your first 3D model! 🚀

Follow this step-by-step process:

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✅ STEP 1 — Click “Image to 3D”

👉 In the left panel (under Generate 3D Models), click on:
✅ Image to 3D

This tells Tripo.AI that you want to upload an image — not a text prompt.

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✅ STEP 2 — Upload your prepared image

👉 Now click Upload Image — or drag & drop your image into the upload box.

IMPORTANT: Choose one of the images you created in Module 2.
👉 The image should have:
✅ White or solid background
✅ Full-body character
✅ Centered composition
✅ Sharp edges & clean details

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✅ STEP 3 — Set your generation options

Before clicking Generate, check these settings:

✅ Private — ON (recommended)
✅ Smart Low Poly — OFF (unless making game assets)
✅ Generate in Parts — OFF (for simple characters)
✅ Topology — Triangle (default is fine)
✅ Polycount — Auto (you can adjust later if needed)

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✅ STEP 4 — Click “Generate”

👉 Now click the big yellow “Generate” button at the bottom of the left panel! 🚀

✅ Tripo.AI will begin processing your image.
✅ You’ll see a progress bar in the right panel (My Assets) — showing status.

👉 Processing time: usually 1–2 minutes — depending on image complexity.

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✅ STEP 5 — View your generated 3D model

Once completed:

✅ Your 3D model will appear in the center viewport!

You can:
✅ Rotate the model
✅ Zoom in/out
✅ Inspect details

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🏆 Checklist — What to look for:

✅ Are all body parts visible?
✅ Is the silhouette clean?
✅ Are there any holes or missing parts?
✅ Are small details preserved?

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🚀 Congratulations!

You’ve just uploaded your first image and generated your first 3D model in Tripo.AI! 🎉🚀

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👉 In the next lesson, we’ll cover how to refine your 3D model — and how to prepare it for export (GLB → STL) — ready for 3D printing!

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⚙️ Lesson 3.4 - Refining Your 3D Model

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Now that you’ve generated your first 3D model — it’s time to refine it and check that it’s ready for export. 🚀

✅ Remember: a clean model now → saves hours of fixing later → results in perfect 3D prints!

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🎯 How to review your model

👉 In the 3D viewport, use your mouse to:
✅ Rotate the model → look at it from all sides
✅ Zoom in → check small details
✅ Zoom out → check the overall silhouette

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🔍 What to look for:

✅ Smooth surfaces
👉 Check that body and clothing surfaces are smooth — not broken or jagged.

✅ No missing parts
👉 Verify that head, arms, hands, legs, feet are all present.
👉 If something is missing — your source image may need to be improved.

✅ Clean silhouette
👉 Look at the outline of the model — it should be clear and well-defined, not fuzzy or broken.

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🛠️ Tips for fixing common problems

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⚠️ Problem: Image was not centered → model is distorted or parts missing

✅ Solution:
👉 Go back to your image in Module 2
👉 Re-crop it so the character is perfectly centered
👉 Upload again and regenerate the model

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⚠️ Problem: Background was too complex → messy mesh or noisy surfaces

✅ Solution:
👉 Return to Module 2
👉 Regenerate the image — using white background and clean silhouette
👉 Upload the new image to Tripo.AI and try again

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🎁 Pro Tip

👉 It’s completely normal to iterate — professional artists often refine 3 or 4 times before getting the perfect base mesh!

👉 Don’t be afraid to tweak your images — each time you improve them, your 3D model will also improve.

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🏆 Summary

✅ You’ve now learned how to:
✅ Rotate and inspect your model
✅ Identify common problems
✅ Fix your source image if needed

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🚀 Next step:

👉 Once you’re happy with your model — it’s time to export it so you can prepare it for 3D printing!

✅ In the next lesson, we’ll cover exactly how to export your model — and how to convert it into an STL file for slicing in Chitubox.

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Ready? Let’s move to Lesson 3.5 — Exporting the Model! 🚀✨

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💾 Lesson 3.5 - Exporting the Model

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Once you are happy with your 3D model in Tripo.AI, it’s time to export the model so you can prepare it for 3D printing! 🚀

When you click on Export, this menu will appear:

 

 

👉 You will see several file format options — let’s quickly explain what each one is for.

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🎓 Understanding the Export Formats

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✅ USD

👉 Universal Scene Description — used in animation and movie pipelines.
👉 Not commonly used for 3D printing.

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✅ FBX

👉 Filmbox format — used in animation, games, and rigged models (with bones & animation).
👉 Not used for 3D printing — but great for game engines (Unity, Unreal).

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✅ OBJ

👉 Wavefront OBJ — one of the most common formats for 3D models.
✅ Stores geometry, and optionally texture coordinates.
👉 Widely compatible — useful for general 3D workflows.
👉 Good intermediate format — but not ideal for direct 3D printing (you usually convert to STL).

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✅ STL

👉 Stereolithography format — the standard for 3D printing!
✅ Stores only the geometry (mesh surface).
✅ Supported by all slicers (like Chitubox), and all consumer 3D printers.
👉 This is the BEST format to export when preparing for resin printing on your Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra.

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✅ GLB

👉 Binary version of glTF — compact, modern 3D format.
✅ Stores geometry, textures, and materials.
👉 Often used for web 3D and VR.
👉 Can be converted easily to STL.

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✅ 3MF

👉 3D Manufacturing Format — newer than STL, supports colors, materials, and more.
👉 Some slicers support it — but STL is still more universally accepted for hobbyist 3D printing.

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🚀 Conclusion — Which format should YOU use?

For this course:
✅ If your goal is to 3D print your figure on a resin printer (Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra):

👉 The most standard, universally compatible format is:
✅ STL

👉 This is what we will use to import into Chitubox and slice for printing!

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✅ Steps to Export

👉 Once happy with the model:
✅ Open Export menu
✅ Select STL
✅ Click Export

Your STL file will download to your computer — ready for the next step! 🚀

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🛠️ Optional — Converting formats (if needed)

If you exported as GLB or OBJ and want to convert to STL, you can use:

✅ Free sites (easy):
👉 https://anyconv.com
👉 https://convertio.co

✅ Blender (advanced):
👉 Import GLB / OBJ → Export as STL

✅ Microsoft 3D Builder (for Windows):
👉 Import → Save As → STL

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🏆 Summary of Lesson 3.5

✅ You now understand what each export format is for.
✅ You know that STL is the best format for 3D printing.
✅ You’ve learned how to export your model and prepare it for printing!

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🚀 Lesson 3.6 - Practice Task: Convert Your 5 Images

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🎉 You’ve now learned how to:
✅ Upload images
✅ Generate 3D models
✅ Refine and review them
✅ Export them as STL files — ready for 3D printing!

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Now it’s time to put this all into practice and build your first set of models. 🚀

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🎯 Your Practice Task

✅ Step 1 — Upload and convert your 5 images from Module 2

👉 Take the 5 images you created in Lesson 2.5:
✅ Fantasy
✅ Pixel-Art
✅ Hyper-realistic
✅ Cartoon
✅ Concept Art

👉 Upload each one to Tripo.AI (Image to 3D)
👉 Generate your 3D model for each image

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✅ Step 2 — Export them as STL files

👉 After reviewing each model, export it as:
✅ STL format → ready for 3D printing

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✅ Step 3 — Save them in a dedicated project folder

👉 Create a folder on your computer called:
“AI to 3D — Module 3 Exports”
or
“My 3D Models — Ready for Printing”

👉 Save each of your 5 STL files here.

👉 Keeping your files organized now will save you time and headaches later when we import them into Chitubox in Module 4.

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🎁 Pro Tip

✅ Always name your files clearly — for example:
👉 Fantasy_Warrior_v1.stl
👉 Cartoon_Dragon_v1.stl

✅ This makes it easier to manage multiple versions as you improve your models over time!

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🏆 Summary

✅ You’ve now completed the full AI to 3D Model Conversion Pipeline:

👉 Image → 3D Model → STL Export 🚀

✅ You now have your first collection of STL files — ready for 3D printing in Module 4.

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🚀 Next:

In Module 4, you’ll learn how to:
✅ Import these STL files into Chitubox
✅ Prepare them for your Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra printer
✅ Slice and support them for perfect prints!

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Great work — your first full 3D models are DONE! 🚀✨

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⚠️ Common Issues & Solutions

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When converting 2D images to 3D models with Tripo.AI, it’s perfectly normal to encounter a few common issues — especially as you learn the workflow.

👉 The good news: most of these problems are easy to fix — either by improving your source image or making small adjustments later in Chitubox.

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Here’s a quick reference table of common issues — and how to solve them:

🎁 BONUS INFO — How to Order a Professional 3D Print via TRIPO.AI

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👉 If you don’t want to print your STL files yourself — TRIPO.AI gives you an option to order the finished printed model directly!

✅ They will 3D print your model for you, finish it, and ship it to your home — easy!

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🚀 How to do it — Step by Step

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Step 1 — Click “Print & Delivery” button

👉 Once your model is generated and visible in the 3D viewer:

✅ Click the button at the bottom of the interface:
“Print & Delivery”
(it looks like a gift 🎁 icon — see image below)

 

 

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Step 2 — Choose your product

Now you’ll see a screen called:
“Get My DIY Gift”

👉 Here you can select what kind of physical product you want your model to become:

✅ Fridge Magnet — $4.99
✅ Keychain — $6.99 (if available)
✅ Keycap — $12.99
✅ Model (Regular figure) — $5.99 → most common for collectible figures!

👉 Select the option you want → Click "Select"

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Step 3 — Confirm your model ID

Once you select a product, you’ll see this popup:

✅ Copy successful → the model ID is copied to the clipboard
✅ Click “Confirm”

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🚀 Step 4 — Redirected to TRIPO’s Shopify store

Now you’ll be redirected to TRIPO’s Shopify store:

✅ Here you will see the Custom 3D Model product → price around $29.99 USD.

👉 Select your desired size:
✅ 5 cm
✅ 6 cm
✅ 10 cm

👉 Select finish options:
✅ Original
✅ Gloss
✅ Display Base
✅ Gloss + Display Base

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⚠️ IMPORTANT — Log in FIRST!

👉 Before adding the product to your cart — make sure to log in!

✅ If you are not logged into the Shopify store, you will not be able to add the product to your cart — and the system won’t tell you why!

👉 Many users get stuck here — the product won’t add to the cart unless you are logged in first.

👉 So:
✅ First log into your account (top right corner)
✅ Then select size & options
✅ Then Add to cart

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Step 5 — Paste your Model Link

👉 VERY IMPORTANT:
You will see a box that says:
“Please fill in model link”

✅ Paste your model link from Tripo Studio here (the link that was copied earlier).

This tells the production team which model to print for you.

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Step 6 — Finalize order & payment

👉 Add product to cart → Go to checkout:

✅ You’ll see your order in the cart → with size, options, and model link included.

👉 Pay via:
✅ PayPal
✅ Google Pay
✅ Credit card

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🚚 Shipping process

✅ TRIPO will confirm your order within 1 business day.
✅ Production takes around 5–7 days.
✅ Delivery times are shown — usually within 2–3 weeks depending on your location.

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🏆 Summary

👉 If you don’t want to print your STL file yourself, you can:

✅ Use “Print & Delivery”
✅ Order a professional 3D print from TRIPO’s Shopify store
✅ Select your size and finish
✅ Paste your model link
✅ Pay and receive your model at home! 🚀✨

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🎁 Final Tip

👉 This is also a great option if you want to:
✅ Order gifts
✅ Sell your designs without owning a printer
✅ Test print quality before printing at home

 

✅ Ready for Module 4?

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🎉 Great work — you have now:

✅ Learned how to upload images and generate 3D models in Tripo.AI
✅ Refined your models for clean, printable results
✅ Exported your models as STL files
✅ Organized your models in a project folder
✅ And even learned how to order a professional print if you prefer! 🚀

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🏆 You now have everything you need to start preparing your models for 3D printing!

👉 In Module 4, we will:
✅ Import your STL models into Chitubox
✅ Add supports
✅ Slice the models
✅ Get them ready for your Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra printer!

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🎁 Bonus:

You’ll also learn how to:
✅ Repair common mesh issues
✅ Scale your models
✅ Optimize for perfect resin prints