# 3D Printing of Fluid Flow Structures

## TL;DR

This paper presents a method for converting 3D fluid flow data into printable models to enhance visualization, understanding, and outreach of complex fluid structures.

## Contribution

It introduces a general procedure and sample code for transforming 3D flow data into printable formats, enabling physical visualization of fluid flow structures.

## Key findings

- Successfully produced 3D printed models of fluid flows
- Enhanced physical understanding of complex flow structures
- Facilitated educational and outreach activities

## Abstract

We discuss the use of 3D printing to physically visualize (materialize) fluid flow structures. Such 3D models can serve as a refreshing hands-on means to gain deeper physical insights into the formation of complex coherent structures in fluid flows. In this short paper, we present a general procedure for taking 3D flow field data and producing a file format that can be supplied to a 3D printer, with two examples of 3D printed flow structures. A sample code to perform this process is also provided. 3D printed flow structures can not only deepen our understanding of fluid flows but also allow us to showcase our research findings to be held up-close in educational and outreach settings.