Minecraft Bees
Earlier this year my son came to me and asked if we could design and print some Minecraft bees together. No further questions were necessary and we got right on it.
The project scope transitioned from “let’s make one bee,” to “what about a bee version of ALL the mobs?” and finally to “I think I’m done, Daddy” rather quickly. My son was five at the time, so I’m not holding any of that against him, and he worked really hard on all of this.
It was incredibly rewarding to teach him some of the basics of 3D modeling, and see how things should come together from his perspective. We drew things out on graph paper and established a scale based on that. He was fully in the driver’s seat for much of the sketching and constraints, and it was an excellent way to sneak in some basic math.
Helpful Tools
3D Printer capable of working with flexible materials and material changes
Needle Nose Pliers
Super Glue
1. Print out Parts
Files for all four can be found at the bottom of the page.
MinecraftBee-Wing
Material: Flex (98A)
Infill: 15-20%
Supports: No
Brim: No
Everything else
Material: PLA
Infill: 15-20%
Supports: No
Brim: No
2. Antennae, Feet, and Stinger
Press-fit all the non-wing appendages into the bee body. Use a little glue if necessary.
3. Wings
Using a needle nose pliers, fit the wings into the body.
4. Creeper Bee
Press-fit face components into the CreeperBee body. Use a little glue if necessary.
5. Ender Bee
Snap lower jaw (carefully) into EnderBee body as shown.
6. Pollinate?
I mean, that makes sense for the “regular” bees. I haven’t given a whole lot of thought regarding what a Creeper Bee or an Ender Bee would do…
I assume pollinate aggressively
Files
Click the Download buttons below for zip files containing all the components
Files are available under the Creative Commons BY-NC-SA license.
Like what you’re seeing here? Leave me a comment down below, follow me on Mastodon @DragonMountainDesign@mastodon.social, and/or say “hey” if you ever see me or my work out around on the internet.
Hope you all have had a happy holiday season! See you in The New Year (please be gentle, 2024).