4 Ways to Create Your Own 3d Printed Lithophanes?

Lithophanes are pieces of an etched weather sheet that looks ordinary but contain an image that can only be get word clearly when you strike a light behind it . If you have a 3D printer then you’re able to print all sorts of lithophanes and in this article , I ’ll take the air you through all the way of create a Lithophane in promiscuous footstep . Here , we are usingEnder 3 Pro 3D Printer , however , any 3D printing machine should work . Let ’s start .

broadly speaking , lithophanes are create with the help of CNC car and chip away material from a sail of ceramic or credit card but if you have a decent 3-D pressman then you may make a individualise lithophane without much effort . You would need a 3D printer to work up your own lithophanes but if you want to skip over the fuss and social club one , a simple google hunt would give you mickle of places that can deliver a custom lithophane to your doorstep .

Prerequisites

It would be really helpful if you own a 3D printing machine and have a basic noesis of how to slice STL files in slit software .

1. 3DP.Rocks

This online creature is the easiest elbow room to create a lithophane STL single file . You just upload an image and it instantly shows you a preview of how the lithophane would look .

Start by opening3dp.rocks websiteandclicking the Images buttonon the web page andupload an look-alike . Once the image has been uploaded , it will get a lithophane model . you’re able to make a few unlike types of lithophanes such as a characterization frame , lampshade , dome Nox light blanket , and heart . I just printed a small picture frame to screen the quality of the print .

You cancustomize the size of the lithophane model , on the preferences page . This would ensure that the mark make out out to your preferred proportion .

Settings page to select a model for lithophane

Once , you ’re well-chosen with the designing , click refresh and strike download . It would father an STL file cabinet and lead off the download on your computing equipment .

start the STL files in a slicer ( I used IdeaMaker ) and mother the g - computer code . Just verify you impress the mark upright rather of position down so that you get a better resolution . If you require a clearer icon , reduce the printing speed for the good example while slicing .

I printed a portrait of Monalisa and as you’re able to see it does n’t look like anything until you flex on the lights . moderately cool right ?

adjust the settings of your lithophane model

2. It’s Litho

The late tool was slap-up for creating simple lithophanes that can replace your exist picture bod or lamp shade . However , if you want to take your lithophanes to the next level then maybe try this pecker . you’re able to create a lithophane in the shape of a plane , sphere , cylinder , arc , vase , or even a pumpkin vine . Open thetool on a web web browser by dawn this linkandupload an image .

After the picture is upload , you canedit itso that it would seem better as a lithophane . conform the sliders would show you the changes in tangible - time . Once you ’re well-chosen with the image , proceed to make a good example .

Now , you could convert all the lithophane preferences to create a truly custom lithophane . Start by selecting the shape of your lithophane , adjust the sizing , increase or decrease the details , and enable attribute . After that cluck the download button to save the model as an STL and you ’re ready to print .

download the stl files for your lithophane

After slicing the model in the Slicer , start printing the model and it should show a detailed image under the light .

3. Lithophanemaker.com

I practice this dick because you could create a lithophane box with 4 unlike image and use it as a night lighter . Although you’re able to impress 10 different types of lithophanes such as a globe , a nightlight , roof brightness , Christmas lights , etc , I chose the lightbox for variety . Go to thelithophane maker websiteandselect Lithophane LightBox Maker .

The interface is not as intuitive as other puppet but it is still simple-minded enough and creates skillful enough issue . begin uploading images to the page and adjust the size of your lightbox mannequin . you’re able to even customize the short lightbulb diameter , just measure the size of your bulb holder and go into the value on this pageboy .

After add up all the effigy , you would see a prevue of how it would look on the box . Adjust the situation of the images and download the STL filing cabinet .

I printed the box and it took around 22 hours but the resolution are totally worth it .

Here ’s another angle of the lightbox with a electric-light bulb fit out inside .

Photoshop is in all likelihood the most complicated choice to make a lithophane but it is also highly customizable and you may control every aspect of the model and make anything you want ( only if you know what you ’re doing ) .

it’s litho upload image

Download ThisActions fileon your computer and sum up it to your Photoshop . Open an image in Photoshop .

bleed this action from the Actions bill of fare . It will be title “ Make Lithophane ” . If you do n’t ’ see the manoeuvre clit on the correct pane , you’re able to manually open it underWindow > Actions . It would take a few second base to generate a 3D good example of your figure of speech so be patient .

Once it is done , you ’ll see the 3D preview of the Lithophane example . To yield an STL file , click the print push as shown in the persona below .

edit the image for the lithophane