3D model description
I'm very excited to share my latest design of a Moon / Earth lithophane for 3d printing. In contrast to my other design this offer does not include a custom lithophane STL. The models itself have been designed with a degree of accuracy and resolution not known to far. You can get a first impression with the following youtube video:
https://youtu.be/vDvNr7vpL-k
This video is a Blender animation of the actual STL files provided here. The rendering gives a first idea of the nearly photo-realistic models. Basis for the 3d models is data provided by NASA missions. Intensity and elevation information were mapped to spheres built from equidistant triangular mesh points by the use of a custom Python script. Because of its nature the resulting STLs can be adjusted in nearly all their parameters (diameter, wall width, contrast ratio, β¦). Many combinations of these parameter have been calculated and can be downloaded following the links given in the PDF document because of their file size (diameters of 120mm, 150mm, 200mm and 250mm).
Besides the models itself there are several support STLs provided: E14 lamp holder, LED strip guides, IKEA adapters for a wide variety of applications. Please feel free to choose the variant you prefer.
I really appreciate your support! Please feel free to ask for further developments. You can directly support me by using the link: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/StephanBrennerDE
Please note: ALL my designs are protected by Copyright Law. When you purchase, you do NOT have the right to sell any digital file or printed model of my designs without my explicit written consent. Please help support the creative work of each 3D artist and NEVER share or sell a digital file. Your purchase gives you the right to download and print the design for your personal use. Remixing the design is not permitted as well.
The lithophane STL file names are coded in the following manner (by example):
moon__150mm_res8_int5_height3_usd0_norm.stl.zip
xxxmm diameter
res8 / res9 STL file size 120MB / 500MB
int5 / int8 number of outlines used for intensity modulation (5 or 8) β determines maximum contrast
height3 height variation of the surface at 120mm; scaled up by diameter
usd0 / usd1: normal or hanging orientation of the lithophane
equ / norm: equalization or normalization of the input images: equalization gives more spectacular views, normalization is the more realistic behavior
3D printing settings
β’ all lithophanes should be printed using white PLA. This is strongly recommended because nearly 90Β° overhangs are needed at the upper end of the spheres. Your printer should be tested whether cooling is adequate to print this.
β’ Because of the high resolution of the STLs it can be quite complicated to slice them. According to my experience Prusa Slicer has a higher success rate than Cura. If you are not able to slice a lithophane in Cura try switching Experimental β Slicing Tolerance.
β’ The print settings given below are only a recommendation for Cura 5. Start with the 120mm variant and feel free to optimize to the needs of your printer.
β¦ Layer height: 0.2mm (this is a question of time!)
β¦ line width: 0.4mm. Enable βprint thin linesβ using the new Arachne slicing algorithm. This is very important to map the different wall thicknesses.
β¦ Use 7 outlines for the lithophanes, 5 for the other STLs
β¦ wall ordering: inside to outside
β¦ z seam: shortest with smart hiding
β¦ infill: whatever you prefer. Not relevant for the lithophanes itself
β¦ use a small z-hop for traveling
β¦ 100% cooling from layer 6
β¦ no support needed for the lithophanes. Only the LED strip guides need accurate support.
β¦ Use inside + outside Brim for the lithophanes to stick them better to the printers build plate.