"A lithophane is an etched or molded artwork in very thin translucent porcelain
or plastic that can only be seen clearly when back lit with a light source."
Wikipedia
KEY FEATURES
- Easily create ready to 3D print lampshade STL files.
- Select lampshade shape and dimensions: Spherical, oval, round, hexagonal, square....
- Load and position multiple images.
- Add holders: On top clips for bulbs or candle leds, or on bottom for bulb
holders.
- Offline access under Chrome: Just add litho.htm to favorites or create a
shortcut on desktop (More Tools -> Create shortcut)
- No account needed, all processing is done on your PC, however you are
very welcome to publish your creations.
WARNING - RISK OF FIRE
Plastic, especially PLA, can melt and burn. Always use LED type bulbs, never
incandescent bulbs.
HOW TO USE THE APP IN 3 EASY STEPS
1- Select lampshade shape and dimensions
Note that "Main Shape" cylinder and sphere use different settings.
2- Load and position images
You may load multiple images and position them individually.
For best results and faster print time, use a subject on a white background.
PNG files with transparent background are supported.
Use keyboard arrows to fine adjust position and scale.
3- Select a lampshade holder
Top and bottom hole sizes may be adjusted.
That's it, enter a file name, and hit "Download" to generate a STL file.
SLICER AND PRINTER SETUP
- Use a translucent filament, white, ivory or similar.
- If your slicer allows 100% filling density, select it. Otherwise select
hollow filling (0%).
- Except for small lampshades (less than 50mm height), select maximum
layer thickness (typically 0.2mm)
- Do not change scale/orientation, and in most cases you don't need printing supports.
If you are getting "hairy prints", reduce the head temperature by 5 to 10°C
and/or slightly increase the filament retraction distance..
PRACTICAL EXAMPLES
1- Hexagonal lampshade
Here is the print result. Size is 103.4 x 115.8 x 50 mm.
The slicer is Cura and the printer a Dagoma Discoeasy200. Filament is Chromatik
Ivory at 210°C.
Print time is 2h41mn.
Light is a GU4 12V led
2 - Spherical lampshade
Using white filament, sphere diameter is 100mm, using 45mm bulb clips. Print
time is 6 hours.
3 - Oval lampshade
Dimension: 95 x 50mm, print time 2h40mn. The lamp base is designed using
doit3D.
