Why I Love 3D Printing Dragons

My fascination with dragons began long before I even knew what a 3D printer was. Growing up, I was enchanted by the mythical worlds of authors like **Anne McCaffrey** and **J.R.R. Tolkien**. More recently, the epic dragons from **Game of Thrones** and **House of the Dragon** have also captured my imagination, with their powerful presence and influence over the complex storylines. McCaffrey’s *Dragonriders of Pern* series introduced me to the concept of dragons as loyal companions—majestic creatures that shared a deep, almost telepathic bond with their riders. I fell in love with the idea of dragons as beings of power, intelligence, and grace, creatures that were more than mere beasts but symbols of hope, adventure, and the boundless possibilities of imagination.

Then there was Tolkien, whose *The Hobbit* gave us **Smaug**, a dragon that captured both the terror and awe that such a creature could inspire. Tolkien’s dragons were not only formidable foes but also creatures of cunning and immense power, adding layers of depth to the fantasy worlds I so loved to escape into. Beyond these classics, I found myself drawn to countless other stories, each with dragons that were magical, misunderstood, and mysterious—guardians of treasure, symbols of transformation, or embodiments of ancient wisdom.

When I discovered 3D printing, it felt like stepping into one of those magical worlds. The ability to bring dragons—those creatures I had always imagined soaring through the skies—to life in a tangible form was nothing short of incredible. 3D printing allows me to take the dragons from my imagination and the pages of my favorite books and turn them into something I can hold, admire, and share. It’s like a bridge between the imaginary and the real, a way to capture that sense of wonder I first felt as a child reading about these majestic creatures.

Every dragon I print carries with it a piece of those stories that shaped my love for fantasy—whether it’s the grace of McCaffrey’s dragons, the ferocity of Tolkien’s, or the magic found in the myriad tales of dragons throughout folklore. 3D printing has become my way of celebrating those stories, of keeping that wonder alive, and sharing it with others who love dragons just as much as I do.