3D printed photographs (Lithophane)

[coniston]

Yet another distraction from model engineering (these damned 3D printers) I have discovered the joy of printing photographs on a 3D printer. Called Lithophanes it is a relief of a photograph in greyscale where the dark areas are printed thicker and the light areas are thinner. They look a bit odd viewed with front lighting but come alive when back lit. I have also designed and printed some mounts with LED back lighting powered from a USB device (laptop, tablet or charge plug) or another I did with a battery box for 3 x AA cells.

Here's the finish printed lithophane from the front, you can probably make out it is steam loco?




Here it is on one of the illuminated stands I designed, utilising parts of USB powered camping light bought off ebay which handily includes an on/off switch.



And the full effect when backlit on it's stand although it actually looks better in the flesh than this photo suggests. Yes it is my B1 on the track at Fareham last year during the 'relaxed restriction' time.



They do make novel presents for friends and family and great to capture a special person or moment in time.

Chris D

[kipford]

Chris
Fabulous, got to have a go, the boss was very impressed. What software are using to generate the stl files?
Dave

[coniston]

That' the secret, very expensive but for a nominal fee I can advise (only joking) I use this site: 3dp.rocks/lithophane/ If you google 3dp.rocks there are many tutorials to help you on your way. It is really fun but time absorbing especially designing the LED light stands which I now have a number of offering different advantages.

Chris D

[coniston]

Here's another one I've just done, Caerphilly Castle at Swindon Museum.