Easy lithopanes with Simplify3D

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jsc
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Easy lithopanes with Simplify3D

Post by jsc » Tue Apr 22, 2014 10:38 pm

It looks like "lithopanes" are/were a fad on thingiverse for a while. Turns out they are very easy to create in Simplify3D using the Image to STL tool. I generated one 80mm wide by 2mm thick, invert colors, printed at one perimeter, 100 solid bottom layers (or just use 100% infill), .10mm layer heights.
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jimc
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Re: Easy lithopanes with Simplify3D

Post by jimc » Tue Apr 22, 2014 11:25 pm

Thats cool jin. Is that your natural pla you used?

jsc
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Re: Easy lithopanes with Simplify3D

Post by jsc » Wed Apr 23, 2014 12:34 am

White ABS. I tried natural PLA, too, and it works but it is almost too clear, not enough contrast except when looking through at a bright surface.

Toby
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Re: Easy lithopanes with Simplify3D

Post by Toby » Wed Apr 23, 2014 1:43 am

That came out great.

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Tim
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Re: Easy lithopanes with Simplify3D

Post by Tim » Sun May 04, 2014 6:52 pm

Thanks, Jin! Your settings worked perfectly for me! I did have one issue, though, which is that if you give S3D a JPEG file, it will (always? sometimes?) produce a zero-size object as a result. Convert to a PNG file and it works just great. Not sure what's in the JPEG that S3D doesn't like, but at least it's an easy fix if you are forewarned.

I used purple PLA, mainly because that was what was in the printer.

As an additional comment, I would point out that the printed lithopane can be presented either side; the rough side forward is interesting because it looks like a complete mess when you have a light on it, and the image comes out with the light behind. But smooth side forward is also a good way to present, especially if you have it in a shadowbox with a light inside; then it looks like nothing but a blank piece of plastic until the light is turned on. Smooth side forward also prevents ambient light from interfering with the light and shadows from behind. But if you're going to present it smooth side forward, you'll need to remember to flip the image.
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Lithopane of Michael, in purple MakerGear PLA
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jimc
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Re: Easy lithopanes with Simplify3D

Post by jimc » Sun May 04, 2014 6:55 pm

what are you guys using for lights? just some batt powered leds? source?

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Tim
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Re: Easy lithopanes with Simplify3D

Post by Tim » Sun May 04, 2014 7:37 pm

Sorry, I was going to mention the lighting but forgot about it. I put an LED flashlight behind it, on high intensity, with a Kleenex over it to diffuse the light a bit, so it wouldn't have a "spotlight" effect.

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Re: Easy lithopanes with Simplify3D

Post by jsc » Sun May 04, 2014 9:15 pm

Hm, actually boxing it with interior LEDs and a switch is a good idea.

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Re: Easy lithopanes with Simplify3D

Post by jimc » Sun May 04, 2014 9:56 pm

ahhh yeah jin and tim. thats what i was wondering if you had it enclosed with a light or something. i think i am going to do some of these but will do a frame or a box of some type with a batt holder and light inside.

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Re: Easy lithopanes with Simplify3D

Post by Tim » Mon May 05, 2014 3:20 am

For the record, if you look it up on Wikipedia, you will discover that it's actually a "Lithophane", not a "Lithopane". So now you know.

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