PeelFab: Designing 3D Printed Peelable Structures for 3D Masking

Abstract

Desktop 3D printers are capable of fabricating structures with complex geometries, thus enhancing the functionality and interactivity of printed objects. Peelable structures represent an important application in 3D printing, as the supports and brims demonstrate, offering more possibilities for printing. However, existing tools are limited in their ability to effectively assist users in designing and customizing such structures, and their broader application potential remains underexplored. In traditional artistic practices, masks also exhibit the characteristics of a peelable design and serve as creative tools. However, within the field of human-computer interaction, no prior work has investigated the use of 3D-printed peelable structures for mask creation. To address this gap, we present PeelFab, a fabrication method and accompanying design tool for generating custom peelable structures directly within modeling software. Through the use of a built-in structure library and an interactive interface, users can create peelable structures based on points, lines, and surfaces, allowing the design of various 3D printed masking geometries. We also demonstrate several application cases that showcase the potential of 3D-printed masking using peelable structures.