Recommended 3D Printing Filaments & Night Light Bases
Pure White PLA / PETG 3D Printer Filament (1.75mm)
High optical light transmission properties for clean, crisp lithophane contrast.
Warm White LED Wooden Lamp Base with USB Switch
Solid wood groove base perfectly sized for mounting curved 3mm lithophane panels.
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Ubify Media & Design Operations
UI/UX & DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALISTS
About This Tool
Lithophanes are three-dimensional textured plastic plaques that reveal high-contrast photographic imagery when illuminated from behind. Because thick plastic blocks light and thin plastic allows light transmission, varying the relief thickness according to image grayscale values reproduces subtle photographic midtones. This generator converts 2D photos directly into binary 3D printable STL files inside your browser.
### Mesh Generation Mechanics The generator samples image pixel luminance to construct a solid 3D manifold mesh: - **Luminance Inversion**: Inverts grayscale pixel brightness so dark shadow regions correspond to maximum plastic thickness while bright highlight areas produce the minimum structural skin. - **Thickness Boundaries**: Configurable Minimum Thickness (default 0.8 mm, maintaining structural stability under light) and Maximum Thickness (default 3.0 mm, providing deep shadow contrast). - **Geometric Shapes**: Generates Flat window plaques, 120° Arc nightlight curved panels, or full 360° cylindrical lamp shades. - **Outer Structural Frame**: Adds an integrated border bezel (default 3.0 mm) around the perimeter to prevent warping on the 3D printer build plate. - **Interactive Backlight Preview**: Canvas shader simulates translucent plastic under warm incandescent illumination before 3D printing.
### Worked Printing Specifications Converting a portrait photo into an arc lithophane: - Set **Minimum Thickness** to `0.8 mm` and **Maximum Thickness** to `3.0 mm`. - Select **Shape**: `Curved Arc (120°)` for freestanding desk display. - Set **Border Bezel** to `3.0 mm`. - Click **Generate 3D STL** to download a verified binary `.stl` file. - Recommended Slicer Setup: 100% infill, 0.12 mm layer height, printed vertically aligned with the Y-axis using white PLA filament.
### 100% Client-Side Mesh Generation Binary STL triangulation and vertex coordinate calculations run entirely in your local browser runtime using WebAssembly and JavaScript typed arrays. Your personal family photos remain private on your computer.
How to Use
- 1
Upload a digital photograph (JPG, PNG, or WebP) with strong contrast and clear focal lighting.
- 2
Select your geometry: Flat Plaque, Curved Arc (120°), or Cylinder Lamp (360°).
- 3
Set Minimum Thickness (0.8 mm) and Maximum Thickness (3.0 mm) alongside Border Width.
- 4
Inspect the simulated backlight preview and click "Generate STL" to export the binary 3D printable file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should lithophanes be printed vertically rather than flat on the print bed?
3D printers have vastly higher Z-axis layer resolution (0.12 mm) than XY nozzle line resolution (0.4 mm). Printing vertically aligns layer lines with fine image details and eliminates top-surface stair-stepping.
What 3D printer infill percentage should be used for lithophanes?
Always slice lithophanes with 100% infill (rectilinear). Any hollow infill pattern creates internal grid shadows that ruin the backlit photographic illusion.
Which 3D printing filament color produces the best result?
Standard opaque Cold White or Warm White PLA filament provides optimal light diffusion and dynamic grayscale range.