Hello, everyone! The second-ever Pumpkin Jam has come to a close, and boy… have I got my work cut out for me! A grand total of 11 people signed up, and of those folks, 6 submitted models!I will personally be printing, assembling, testing, and submitting makes with feedback to every single model that was finished, so I’ve got my work cut out for me.HOWEVER, all this time I’ve been preparing for the Pumpkin Jam, ideas have been knocking around like snowballs in my head, growing bigger and bigger until they’re about ready to bust out of their cranial confinement!So in order to get the (snow) ball rolling, I have decided to get all my thoughts down in this article to give everyone something to chew on while they wait for me to evaluate their models. Keep in mind that some of these ideas are dependent on others to be finished first, and some of these may never come to pass. However, that being said, if anyone has any suggestions or wants to see any of these things come sooner rather than later, lemme know!I’m attempting to generate a more direct line between myself and everyone, and would think it would be cool to potentially make this a more regular thing. (I’m probably much too unorganized to do that, but… one can dream!)So without further ado… Regular StuffPoke Balls n’ Poke coinsWay back when, I launched a video in which I talked about a grand plan about creating videos and 3D models about every Poke Ball in the games, and true to my world, I periodically did just that. And of all 28 balls I was aiming to do, I completed… 9 of them. That’s it.The thing was, as much as I liked making the models and researching the Balls, I really despised editing the videos. It seemed to take so much time for something that I knew was valuable, but had a hard time accepting it as such. So… I stopped.I would like to start again.I already have the Beast Ball mostly done; I just need to record… and edit its video. 🤮Luckily, I’ve found an editor who seems willing and able to edit them for me. And since the actual creation and recording of each model/video takes comparatively no time at all, my plan is to essentially just print and record them in rapid succession, toss them over to my editor, and release them as he finishes them. This’ll take a while at the start, I feel, as we work out the kinks, but hopefully everything goes smoothly, and the playlist will find itself expanding to completion within a few months. The production of the models and recording of the videos is currently priority one after the Jam is done. Then, when those are done, the next Poke ball project I want to work on is… Hmm. Maybe I should leave that for a future article? As for coins, fans of mine know that I have an ongoing series of real-life adaptations of the coins seen in the Pokemon TCG Pocket app. The app is a live-service game, so a few of these come out every month as new updates are added and the shops change rotation. I have no plans on terminating this series, and there are a few coins out in that app now that I have modeled but just need to print out–namely Greninja, Lillie Ver 2., and Professor Oak. These are fun and consistent side projects that I like to do in between bigger projects as the coins come out in the app. I’ve got a good system for them, so they usually take less than an hour to model up, even if they are a bit of a pain to print properly (BambuLab, PLEASE release effects plates for the H2D!).Also, side note, but here’s a list of my “Adapted from existing–not yet uploaded” folder. Some of this stuff may never see the light of day, but if you want a look into my madness…I’m trying to figure out a better way to take meshes and essentially upscale them to make them much smoother for 3D printing. If anyone knows of a software that’s good for that, lemme know.Learning by doingBy most accounts, I am an amateur 3D modeler. I’ve never taken a class in 3D modeling, I’ve never been commissioned to make anything, and my day job has absolutely 0 to do with anything 3D modeling or 3D printing related. All the knowledge and skills I have acquired over the years has almost entirely been through the process of going “hey, I’d like to do that,” and then starting, realizing that I’ve hit a hole in my knowledge, looking up info in order to fill in that hole, and then repeating that process until I’ve learned what I wanna learn, and finished what I needed to do. Accordingly, I have a list of models that I want to try to make, most if not all of which involve skills that I currently do not have, but would very much like to. If you have any good resources to point me to to learn about them, lemme know! But without further ado, in no particular order, here’s my current wishlist of future projects! We’ll see how many of these I actually get done… 3D Modeling Poseable Models in BlenderI know Blender is more about animations and stuff, but I currently almost exclusively use it for importing one kind of filetype, and then exporting it as another. Since it certainly seems to be a powerful tool for handling meshes and stuff, I figure it’d be good to learn more about how it works, and to try and model some basic poseable figures in there. The prefecture I live in, Kagoshima, has a group of mascots that are all pigs–I think it’d be cool to create a base form for them, add bones onto it, pose it like they do in their promotional images, and then add their little accessories to make a cute little figurine set. Designing a (Moderately) Complex Model from a 2D ImageI’ve adapted video game models before, but most of the time I was able to find and use the actual 3D model from the game as reference material. Now, I’ll let you in on a secret…I’m not very artistically inclined. At least, I’m not too great at making artistic decisions to create something that looks good. In order to take a baby step forward, I think it might be cool to try and adapt a model purely based off of 2D images–and something that has had a decent number of artists giving their own different takes on it through the years, so it’s something that I will have to make a fair number of executive decisions on how I want it to look. I think Durandal, from Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade would be a good pick, since it’s from one of my favorite game series (albeit ironically from one of the few western releases I never finished), and as far as I know has never had an official 3D model ever. I’d have to figure out exactly how I would want it to look based on years of concept art. Gameripping and Crowdfunding I’ve used The Models Resource to find models as reference material many times before, so I was considering repaying the favor and getting some models to add. The Magical Sword from Hyrule Warriors has always been in the back of my mind to make, but there are a couple problems.No one ripped the sheath from the game. Both the sword and shield are there, but no sheath to put the blade in.It would take a lot of filament. More than would be sustainable for a hobbyist such as myself.For this challenge, I’d like to see if I can’t learn how to rip the model, so I can try and upload it myself. And to get the filament, I want to try out Maker World’s crowdfunding feature to see if I can’t scrape together enough to get the filament to properly test it and then print it out. It’s a pretty complicated model, as you can see here. It’d be a big undertaking by itself in order to try and adapt it. Making Practical MechanismsSo I have no idea what direction this would go, but have you ever worn a hard hat? You put it on, and there’s a knob in the back that tightens it down so it doesn’t fall off your noggin. I want to try making a headband that works like that, but has a mechanism in the front that lets you easily attach and detach a mask. How would that work out? Is PLA even bendy enough to make a reliable headband? I don’t know, but I found the patent for the ratchet, so… Making More Rubber Band HingesY’all remember Bakugan? I do. Really cool marble-like tools with a hidden magnet in ‘em which, when passed over a metal card, triggered the magnet which unlatched a bunch of springed hinges, transforming it into a little figure. Really crappy card game, super interesting concept. I wanna see if I can make one using rubber bands to power the hinges, similar to how my Poke Ball works. Working with TPUFun fact: I’ve never printed in TPU. Ever. Sounds fun though. I’ve seen people make squeaky rubber duckies with TPU, and I want to try to do that myself. Except instead of a Duck, I want to make a Pig Ball, from the obscure PlayStation game Tomba! 2. This is the highest resolution photo I could find of it via a quick google search What are those Suspended String Thingies Called?I’ve seen some pretty cool models like the one in this image here. I have no clue (ok I have some clue) how they work, but I want to try one! I’m a fan of Naruto, and for some reason these prints remind me of a Sharingan floating in a tank. I’d like to make one, and swap out the design for every one seen so far in the series. Shouldn’t be that hard, right? Trying out Some CosplayReally small goal, but I want to try and make Zero’s Buster from Mega Man X3. I’ve got an idea to try and use straps that might make it relatively ergonomic and solid, but I also want to think of a way to make it easy to take on and off. Electronics and API, maybe?A while back I made a video (or 2… or 3…) in which I attempted to make disco lights for my twitch stream. I kinda succeeded, but the end product was really finicky, unreliable, and hard to set up. Basically, the gist of the thing was that I wanted to make a spinning ball with holes in it that projected shapes from an internal light onto my walls, in order to spice up my twitch stream. I was toying around with trying to make one from the maker’s supply, and if that worked out, I want to try and sync it up with my twitch stream so that it changes color if I get a follow, raid, sub, or something like that. That’d be gnarly. I’ve had a couple people tentatively offer to help, and I feel bad that I haven’t followed through…The old one had (technically) remote control, RGB capability, and variable spinning speed somehow, but it’d take a lot of learning to figure out how to do it effectively and reliably.  And that’s it! ….For now.Whew! That sure was a lot. I’m sure there’s stuff I’m forgetting, but thanks for reading this far! Hopefully our journey will be fruitful, and I’ll have made a whole bunch of models for you to enjoy! Feel free to follow, and if you like what I do, don’t be afraid to print and boost my models! See you in November(?) Idk, might not be worth doing only a 3rd of the month's worth of reflection when most of it will be Pumpkin Jam Video-related. We'll see!

To get right to the point: I made the Pumpkin Jam to allow less experienced 3D modelers to improve their 3D modeling skills, and more experienced modelers to challenge themselves and have an opportunity to show off their skills and increase their models' exposure. More practically speaking, it runs a lot like Maker World's model contests--the main differences being that the Theme of the contest is emailed directly to you, you only have an intentionally short 48 hours to complete your model, and every participant's model gets printed out and given constructive feedback by the judges.  The next one, at the time of this writing, starts the morning of Friday the 18th--although, you can find information on when the next Pumpkin Jam is (and also where the signup is) right here: https://www.carlthepumpkinman.com/pumpkin-jam Now, if you're really interested in the specifics, well, time for me to start yappin'! Although, for reference, you can find essentially all of this information (mostly verbatim) in the link to the signup in the paragraph above. The Pumpkin Jam is designed around these three pillars: Education As a teacher, my number one priority is for participants to leave the event feeling like they learned something. Each Jam starts out with an educational video that explains how to design a model that fits with the Theme, and the judges leave constructive feedback on all models submitted.Motivation Often 3D designers run into a couple of problems--either they have a lack of inspiration on what to make next, or they have too many ideas and face decision paralysis. These ideas may be opposite, but they have the same effect:No models produced.The Pumpkin Jam provides you with a Theme to get you inspired and a limited time limit to motivate you to pick an idea and stick with it.Connection As someone who lives on a remote island, I often feel isolated from the 3D printing community at large. I also understand what it's like to make something cool and have absolutely no one see it. I wanted to make this event in order to let people meet other members of the community and make something that is guaranteed to be seen and printed.Participants are also encouraged to livestream their modeling process, and check out other participants' work. ~Rules~ Now, to get in the less fun but very much important part, the actual specific rules.The Pumpkin Jam is an online event that tests your ability to create 3D Printable models from start to finish in a very limited time frame, based on a specific theme that is revealed when the event begins. In other words, it covers the entire design process–from the point someone asks you to make a model, to the point you finish uploading it to a model hosting site. Here’s how it all shakes out:  Register. Fill out the Google Form found at the top of this article, and declare your intent to participate! More instructions/info on there.Wait. I know you may be excited, but don’t jump the gun! You can try and brainstorm ideas, but there’s no guarantee any preparation you do will be useful, so…Model! Once it’s time to begin, Carl will announce the Theme via email. Read the instructions carefully–you have 48 hours to make and upload your model, and not a second more!Upload. Upload your model to any and all of the allowed sites (Cults3D, MakerWorld, Printables, Thangs, Thingiverse), and make sure you tag it with #PumpkinJam ! Then email Carl with the links to the models.Wait. Again?! Yeah, it takes the judges some time to print out and examine all the submissions. But once they do, you’ll get some sweet, sweet feedback, and you might even find out you won a prize!Grow! Keep the advice in mind, and keep modeling! Hone your skills for the next time–and while you’re busy growing, maybe share your experience with your friends so that the Pumpkin Jam can grow, too!  But Carl, I can hear you saying. I really wanna participate, but I don’t feel confident in my abilities!And to that, I say, dear friend, not to worry! The Pumpkin Jam is all about getting more people into and better at 3D modeling! Every Theme comes with a tutorial video on how to make an entry from a beginner level. So even if you’re a complete n00b, you still have a chance to compete!And if you’re not a beginner, there are still things in it for you! In addition to the experience you gain and the potential for prizes, you also can gain exposure for your craft. I will be keeping a document of all the participants and their socials, and if you livestream yourself making your 3D model, I will advertise that fact too!  ~Specific Rules~  Before I get into the nitty-gritty, I just want to say that as this is a small, online event with no designated space nor a huge management staff or referees, I am asking everyone to stick to the honor system. While there may be prizes involved, I intend for them just to be a talking point to get more eyes on the event and to reward folks for participating, and nothing more.  So! These are the general rules for the Pumpkin Jam; however, the Theme itself (when revealed) may have rules that conflict with these–those take preference.  The Jam will start at 8 AM on a Saturday morning Japan time (generally Friday night America time) with the revealing of the Theme via email, and will end 48 hours later at 8 AM Monday morning. Participants must declare their participation via the google form found at the top of this page, must NOT begin modeling until after the start, and MUST upload their models before the end.Model entries must:Be entirely the participant’s own creation–while outside advice is allowed, the actual executive decisions and creation of the model must be the participant’s. No remixes.Be entirely devoid of generative AI. Not in the modeling, nor the thumbnail generation, nor the description of the model. Surrendering the creative process to a machine would entirely defeat the purpose of this whole thing.Be uploaded to one or more of the following sites: MakerWorld, Printables, Thingiverse, Cults3D, Thangs. It must be free to download, at the very least until the final results are released.Have a #PumpkinJam hashtag attached to them. I wanna be able to locate them easily, after all!Fit the theme. Irrelevant models will be removed from consideration.Be SFW. I want to keep this open for all ages.Additionally, while you’re more than welcome to have a standard copyright license on your files, you do agree for other people to feature them in videos/other content, provided they give proper credit. (Essentially, I want to give myself and others the ability to make videos, etc about their time with the event, which most likely would include models that were uploaded by other participants.)  Some other rules to keep in mind:Be kind/courteous to everyone in the Jam. Don’t be mean, discouraging, disparaging, or anything else to negatively impact others’ experiences.Please bring any complaints/concerns to the judges respectfully, and respect their final decisions. This is for fun/learning, after all.