Making 3D Printed LIthophanes the easy way Video

https://youtu.be/gtWTPszGGqY

Lithophanes remain one of my favorite 3D printed projects. But discovering recently that Cura can made depth maps, and with only the slightest bit of cleverness they can be turned into lithophanes, I was thrilled. Not that there's anything wrong with doing them the hard way. In fact doing them the hard way has a lot of benefits, not the least of which being that you can make them different shaped, like the key chain lithophane I carry around with me. Not to say this method couldn't be used to make a lithphane like that. You've just got to be a little clever.

If you want to make a lithophane the easy way, all you do is:

1. Edit your image file to Adjust->Auto Level the image (in Paint.NET, GIMP, or Photoshop)
2. Set your background color to black
3. Edit->Canvas size to 110% and set the anchor to the middle
4. Save your edited image
5. In cura, open your edited image
6. In the menu that comes up adjust the settings like so:
   
7. That "Darker is Higher" setting is key.
8. Then, 3D print with 1 shell (wall thickness = nozzle diameter) and 100% infill.

And that's all it takes to make a lithophane. But about that cleverness, if you wanted to edit the file and change the shape, I'll give you a hint: You can, in Cura, save to an STL.

Printed laying down vs printed standing up

If you're participating in the Children's Hospital Christmas Tree project, that width of 70 is key for getting it to fit in the Christmas Light Lithophane Holder Clip.

This video, together with the last one, forms 2/3 of the first triad of videos. I consider this kind of a dry run for the future, a chance to work out the kinks. I can already tell that this isn't the way I want it, on the output side, but recording a batch of videos at once is definitely an improvement in the workflow. Better and better, going forward.

Help me build a Christmas Tree for Children's Hospital

https://youtu.be/ww3uruVPnsY

This Christmas Tree project,spearheaded by Glenn Ready, to raise money for the Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City, is going to be a huge undertaking. I hope this goes awesome.

My next video will detail the process of making the lithophanes for the clips that I'll talk more about in the next video. Then put them in an envelope and send them to:

3D Printing Professor
Joe Larson
P.O. Box 689
Hurricane, UT 84737

Everyone has been very kind not to say anything about my extended absence. Maybe everyone was just so busy getting ready for World Maker Faire (which I am mourning not being at), or everyone just doesn't care whether I upload videos or not. But, yes, there has been a lapse in my video schedule for a couple of weeks, and there's a couple of good reasons for that. The main one being, I had some thing I wanted to do to to improve my video quality, and I didn't want to release a video until they were done.

Things like a teleprompter and a script. I will have a video about this in the future, but just to run down the specs:

• Lasercut foamcore enclosure
• 3D printed hardware
• 7" HDMI screen
• Raspberry Pi accessing a shared directory on my windows machine
• Keyboard clicker in my hand.

It's not a project for the tech afraid, as it uses the linux console a lot. But that never scared me.

And this is the first video I've used it on.

In addition, this was the first video where I shot 3 videos at the same time, intending them to be all themed similarly. In the future, this is kinda how I want me videos to go. So I could, possibly, string them together to one TV length episode, or break them up for easy consumption on YouTube. So look forward to the next two videos and tell me how I did making them all string together.

The next major upgrade will be using my newly purchased Zoom for sound. But we've got 2 more videos before you'll hear the change.

EDIT: 2 things I forgot to mention when I typed this up last night. First of all, that address animation that shows up at the 4:49 mark took an hour to do. Can't say I'm totally happy with it, but we're gonna use it... a lot.

Secondly, Those old C64 demos were playing from YouTube videos on my Raspberry pi in the background. It was kind of a Christmas tradition in my family to watch those every year, back when we had a C64 set up in the house, and one which I'm happy to use YouTube to continue. You can watch the demos from the video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MUffsaGWsg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuJ0W058wN0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Nfgdr4fOS8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWovQ2ngdAQ

The Professor Still Love the Monoprice Select Mini Video

https://youtu.be/imSq8c7OF_E

Yup. I got me the Monoprice V3 aka the "Pro". I think they call it "Pro" because, as I understand it, they discovered that the auto leveling on the delta printers was just complicated enough to make new users balk. Of course I think this could be fixed by a script that recognizes the first time it's turned on out of the box (or a menu option that says "first time?") and goes through the leveling process with you. Honestly, a lot of scripting is all this printer needs to be perfect. Well, that and a bigger build area, but for the price I'm not complaining.

"For the price" is a huge trump card. A lot of the time it means that "yeah, it sucks, but I didn't pay much for it", and sometimes that's true. But with the Monoprice printers, it's less that and more an excuse for the imperfections. "For the price" means you're getting way more than you paid for with these printers.

Part of me wishes I could do all the changes I want to all at once. To have a clear break between old videos and new videos. But it's not going to be like that. I'm going to incrementally start making better and better videos. There will be, hopefully, a format change in the future that will be noticeable. But it won't be accompanied by the new set, new equipment, better lighting, better editing, new brand and new thumbnails. For instance, the new thumbnails are happening right now. Thumbnails that pop, that draw people in, and are less cluttered. For instance, I cleaned a lot of clutter from the image on the right to make this thumbnail, even if it meant losing a lot of dinos.

One more thing, though. This will probably be the last video that I work without a script. This going off the cuff thing... what a mess! The original recording for this video is a stream of consciousness that I had to edit a ton to make a cohesive narrative from. But I'll share more of this with my Patreons.

Best tiny 3D prints for the end of your spool Video

https://youtu.be/F9nvwezDWFI

Rapidly shot in one take, zero editing.I am honestly ashamed to present this to you. But if people are going to keep complaining about every video being about low poly dinos, this is what you're gonna get. Because I am still up to my butt in #lowpolydinos, and will be for a little while still. But I take no pride in this, so if you want not low poly dinos, this is all I've got for you.

Chances are it'll be one of my most popular videos, the way things go.

However, on the #lowpolydino side of things, I am rapidly coming to the end of the models I need to create, and I am very proud of the work I'm doing there. I'm been plaing with cavemen that could also work as a barrel of monkeys toys. See, there's a subtle jab at evolution in there.

Join me tomorrow for a live stream where I'll be tackling the volcano and chatting about 3D printing topics and generally having a good time. I hope to see you there.

How to 3D Print with 3D Pen Refills Video

https://youtu.be/VkJfk8bH9dg

I've had comments complaining that I'm doing too many videos about #lowpolydinos lately. So I tried (mostly successfully, maybe a little unsuccessfully) to step away from the dinos and talk about something I learned lately.

It's surprisng how well these a low poly dino uses up one of these micro coils of filament. Of course there's some varitey. The Mastdon is kind of pushing it, but the skroney Elaphrosaurus could print 3 on a single coil. But so far I haven't run into a print that fits in the build area of a Monoprice select mini that couldn't be printed by one of these, even taking into account the MP Select Mini's bowden tube.

The kickstarter continues. I'm adding new dinos almost every day and I've had a number of fun things pop up in the modeling that I can't wait to show you.

Considering the funding these dinos raised, I hope it's not too surprising that they're eating up every spare second. I think it's safe to say that the dino content is going to continue for a little while at least. Of course, that's ominous as well, because when that happens, it means if you haven't gotten in on the deal now, you'll be paying more later.

30 dinos in 30 days video

https://youtu.be/NVBwQks6bXA

Edit: Oh my gosh, the sound effect for the first animations got shifted and occurs in the middle of my talking! Can I not get this right? Screw it, we're going live, I can't delay this ANOTHER hour. The kickstarter is going crazy and I need to tend to it.

I hope you're not sick of #lowpolydinos yet. Though, if you are, I guess this is the light at the end of the tunnel. At the time of publishing the kickstarter is less than a day away from being done. Technically, the kickstarter only ran for 29 days. And technically we're over 30 dinos, though some of the models aren't dinos, so if you count that... it's crazy how many models we've got going on here.

Last Night's live stream is still processing, so that will be up, maybe after the KS ends. But a good time was had, and 1.5 dinos were modeled.

Aside from Scott Wilkensen's Excellent Time-Lapse turned animations, there have been a number of Low Poly Dinos turning up in the wild. Many on Twitter, some on YouTube (including an entirely too generous KS assessment by Calvin Witt, thanks buddy). But perhaps the most exciting of these was Joel Telling's mirthful video featuring the low poly dinos getting mad melted. If you haven't seen it, you should totally check it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mVEynIkSXw

I could go on about how awe inspiring this has been, seeing how people react to their favorite dino in the pack. I could talk about my plans after the KS ends. I could mention what I want to do eventually with the channel. But all these are topics that will be covered later. Right now, I've got some work to do, thanks to reaching a new stretch goal overnight. So as soon as I finish this up I've got a new survey to write, a post to make on the kickstarter, and more dinos to model.

I better get on that.

Why Bad 3D Prints can make Great Gifts video

https://youtu.be/kAV2qYbXNZ4

I am having a hard time coming up with anything to say about this topic beyond what was said in the video. So... uh... go check out the video!

The kickstarter is going well. If you haven't been keeping up, you should know:

• You can download all 12 (so far) coloring pages here
• A young man I know turned my coloring page set into a WebVR experience
• There's another livestream scheduled for this Thursday

If you haven't backed the kickstarter, we are currently sitting on a ton of 3D models for $25. This is a fantastic deal that will never be experienced again, so jump in now!

Makerspace Challenge #2 - Flight Video

https://youtu.be/ycH8Er3x59o

Meanwhile in the makerspace, it's a bit late for a monthly challenge, so we're just going to call this a second challenge, and the second challenge is is make something fly.

GranddadIsAnOldMan is a great maker with lousy video production quality. His videos hardly get any views, perhaps because he uploads too many of them. But that's what it's about. It's about documenting his inspiring project to turn junk into something awesome. He's great for playing around on for a few hours and getting mega inspired. I'm a fan of his work and I've been looking for an excuse to feature him on my main channel.

If I ever make a big time TV show out of making, I would love if he were to my channel what Biz Markie is to Yo Gabba Gabba. That guy who shows up, does a thing, everyone goes "Who the heck is he?" and the show goes on without caring.

$4500 Kickstarter Stretch Goal, New Dinos, and Chaning the World with Low Poly Dinos video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9Fq3fCJbZ4

This time all the notes are on Kickstarter. Nothing to see here.

LowPoly Dino Coloring Pages video

https://youtu.be/Z7OWs0-pGmA

These coloring pages have been a lot of fun to make, and it didn't take a lot of effort or time away from the Low Poly Dino Kickstarter to make them. Which is good because the Kickstarter is going great and every time I turn around we've reached another stretch goal and I have another dino to model and test print.

For the record, I love it.

One thing I didn't do with these coloring pages is attempt to keep the timelines clear of each other. So there's more than a chance that I've got Triassic creatures mingling with Precambrian. But, just assume it's the result of some unnatural interference by man, and call it good.

Of course, if I decided to spend a little more time, I feel like a whole lowpoly dino playset wouldn't be impossible. Biomes that snap together; jungle, forest, volcano, desert, river, ocean, fenced enclosure, primitive settlement, etc, etc, etc. Or make something self enclosed, like the old Might Max or Polly Pocket toys, with mini-size dinos running around.

That's the excitement of this project. It opens up the imagination. But that's also the danger. It'll never be finished if I keep going like this. And as much as I love these dinos, and I do, I don't want this to be the last thing I ever work on.

Then again, if it could do gangbusters for my career like this every month, I'd be willing to consider it.

Guess what? I'm hiding two more coloring pages in this blog post! Enjoy:

• Page 8
• Page 10

Low Poly Dinos on the Adafruit Live Stream

35:41 in the video above, Noe and Pedro Ruiz show off the dual colored low poly model that they printed and give a shout out to the Low Poly Dino kickstarter as well. (Thanks guys!) And in just a few hours I'll be popping into the Adafruit show-and-tell livestream to show off more dinos. So I hope you'll join me on their channel a 7:30pm ET. See you there

Low Poly Dino Modeling Live Stream - Elaphrosaurus Video

https://youtu.be/jYFoPAlfNq4

I thought this video was lost. After the stream, for some reason, YouTube never posted the whole video.

However, there was something strange about the stream at the time. Right at the end as I was signing off I noticed that the "Start Recording" button on OBS said "Stop Recording", meaning I had been recording the stream locally. I hadn't wanted to do that because I didn't want to overtax my computer. What with the 3D modeling and streaming, I figured trying to record too would cause shudders and problems, and I wanted this to go smoothly. However, there it was recording.

"Well," I thought, "I probably accidentally hit the button at some point midway, so maybe I'll be able to salvage some of the livestream. Maybe I can record an intro for it and put it up later."

Imagine my surprise when I finally did crack open that juicy 614 MB file (Seriously? Compression, man.) to discover that it was in fact all 1 hours and 20 minutes of the live stream!

So in the end, I honestly think the only thing that went wrong was that kickstarter ticker not updating. By putting the chat on the screen and the fortuitous hitting the record button, nothing has been lost of this really fun experience. After this, I may very well be doing streams like this more often.

Be sure to hit the updates on Kickstarter for more information about circumstances surrounding this video.

Birthday Livestream Announcement on July 5th Video and Kickstarter Update

https://youtu.be/Hb9zDB8D_Kw

FInd out when the livestream will be where you're at https://everytimezone.com/#2018-6-30,1050,b8jj

If you haven't been keeping up on the kickstarter, there's a few updates you should know:

• Backers are getting nearly free filament
• Not all backers, but still
• I've released the Lowpolysaurus Park gate for free online
• And I've finished a few 3D models
• Anklysaurs
• Megalodon
• Pteradactyl

The total number of models in this kickstarter is currently at 10, and all we need to do is hit a few more stretch goals to make it more.

Man it feels good to be modeling.

How to 3D Model Low Poly in Blender video

https://youtu.be/fM70SG45Rag

Alternate tag line; I make this look easy.

The thing is, this isn't easy. I know that modeling in 3D, especially doing it well, is not easy. What you're seeing is years of practice, and I still wouldn't say I'm good at it. But I do hope that it will inspire someone to think "I could do that." If not, well, hopefully I can be a little entertaining along the way.

The kickstarter is going strong. Let me break it down:

• 5 days on Kickstarter
• 3 stretch goals reached
• 3 new dino modeled
• 3 more dinos in the pipe
• 7 updates with two videos
• One article from 3DPrint.com 

And all that in less than one week. But this is a marathon, not a sprint, and I gotta keep it up.

Remember, if you back now, you get 10, high quality, tested 3D models for $25. I think that's a heck of a deal. And if you back now you'll be help to insure that number only grows.

Be sure to check out more on the mailing list.

Retro Pi Gaming on the Cheap video

https://youtu.be/eWU_bfE1tvM

There are going to be those who will point out that you don't NEED a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ for this project, and that you can save some money by getting a Pi 2 or zero, and these can run many of the games that RetroPi can plan. This is true. However, unless you're planning on plugging your Pi directly into your router, and let's be honest, who does that these days, you're going to need to buy a wifi dongle which can cost more than the money you save going with a cheaper Pi. Why not take the performance boost and get the wifi for free, I say.

One way not mentioned in the video that this project can be enhanced further is by 3D printing an awesome retropi enclosure. I recommend the RPI3 2600 case by HauntFreaks (Though you may want to check what it was remixed from, and who's remixed it to be sure you're getting the best case for you).

• Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ https://amzn.to/2MfHvnA
• RPi on gearbest sometimes wins with shipping https://www.gearbest.com/raspberry-pi/pp_488334.html?wid=1451237&lkid=10972970
• Starter Kit for Raspberry Pi https://www.gearbest.com/raspberry-pi/pp_437285.html?wid=1451237&lkid=10972970
• Wireless Keyboard https://www.gearbest.com/keyboards/pp_1106329.html?lkid=10972970

Snazzy Case Configuration:

• Retroflag NesPi Case https://www.gearbest.com/game-accessories/pp_1377179.html?wid=1241548&lkid=10972970
• 8bitdo controller https://amzn.to/2MPNRv0

Low Poly Kickstarter T minus 1 day video

https://youtu.be/HXXNHw5aI2A

There's supposed to be a picture of me superimposed on that thumbnail there, but for some reason the masking tool didn't work while putting it together. I hope that's not a portent.

Honestly, not a lot to say about this video. Not even sure I should have done it. But I've got a silent advisory in the background who recommended it, so I do it. After this I need to edit some of the fluff out of the kickstarter video, spend some time nursing the copy for it, and get ready to launch.

I don't know if during the kickstarter I'm going to worry about other videos, like I've done this past week, or if they're going to all be low-poly dinos all the time. I suspect that I'll be doing a little of both, but the point of this flood was to precede what might end up being a famine. I honestly don't know what's going to happen. We'll find out together.

M3D Micro+ Review video

https://youtu.be/Q_6IURZ1esM

To answer the question posed by the thumbnail there, is the M3D Micro+ the best mini 3D printer? I'll admit when I started this journey I was still looking for something to dethrone the MP Select Mini.It's been 3 years and I have yet to find a starter printer that I recommend over it, except maybe the MP Mini Select V2. So comparing the M3D Micro+ against the MP Select Mini V2, how's it compare?

They're both pre-assembled printers that print right out of the box. So first time experience is a draw.

As for ease of use, because the M3D is headless, it actually beats the MP Select Mini V2, though the MP Select Mini V2 is perfectly serviceable. For example, changing filament involves manually heating the nozzle, manually reversing or feeding the filament, and manually cooling down the nozzle, but on the M3D it involves hitting a button and following the prompts on your computer screen, the M3D does the heavy lifting automatically. So a point for the M3D.

As for capability, the Monoprice has a heated bed, so that's good, but the M3D has direct drive, and that's good too. However, The MP Select Mini has a slightly bigger build volume and prints accurately on day 1.

The M3D is a more eco friendly 3D printer, possibly the most eco-friendly printer you can buy, and that has value. It's also the most portable 3D printer I've ever seen. Literally, throw it in a tote and take it wherever you going, though you will need to hook it up to a computer when it gets there.

But where Monoprice really pulls ahead of the M3D is in the price. The M3D Micro+ has a $350 starting price, where the Monoprice Select Mini V2 is $220. For the M3D to be competitive it would have to be $150, and if you can get one for that price I would say it was a good buy, but at full price, I'm afraid I have to revert to my original recommendation. I still love the Monoprice Select Mini.

Whether you decide to check out the printer or not, be sure to check out their premium filament, which so far has been impressive. They're even mini spools, which means you can buy more of them with less guilt.

Can you feel that rumble on the horizon?

3D Printed Curtain Rod Project

https://youtu.be/7P6w4YiyGa0

They say that necessity is the mother of invention, but owning a 3D printer I think, means you the bar for necessity is significantly lowered. ...or raised. I'm not 100% sure what the metric is on this one.

The point is you've always got a solution on had. It's not always the right solution, but in this case I think it did pretty good. A job that could be mistaken for professional by a guy with moderate skills.

This is another project where, counting the cost of sharing the files, I wonder if it's worth it. You'd need the same PVC rod, and have the same interests to make ti worth it. Maybe if I modeled some of the other ideas brainstormed, though, it might be worth it. If someone asks for it.

Low Poly Dino. Low Poly Dino. Low Poly Dino. Low Poly Dino. Low Poly Dino. Low Poly Dino. Low Poly Dino. Low Poly Dino. Low Poly Dino. Low Poly Dino. Low Poly Dino. Low Poly Dino.

How to model a Marble Machine with Curves in Blender video

https://youtu.be/ZPhMN2Xpl1g

I like how the videos this week chained together. Not all of them, but did you notice how in Good Overhangs I mentioned a technique that could be used to print the Guala Gadgets 3D Printed Marble Machines. I then talked about the filament used to print the marble machines and how they're using the Master Spool, and then this video, on how to make marble machines. If I were cleverer, and with a little bit of planning, I could have strung them all into one TV length episode. Hopefully, the chance to do this is what I'll be kickstarting.

I realize I'm a version behind in Blender. Version 2.8 is looking good. It's not because of the changes to the UI that I'm holding off updating. I don't mind a little retraining. The part I'm worried about is that the sculpt tools are apparently broken, so I'm waiting until I hear that those are fixed. If they're fixed, lemme know so I can upgrade.

The production of this video was as much as one-shot with editing on the fly as I've ever done since I got the ability to do it. I did do some editing out of long pauses and hems-and-haws to keep things flowing, but besides that, the intro and switching to Blender was all done in real time. After the kickstarter, I may not be doing that sort of video again, because, if things go well... I almost hate to say it. I'd like to earmark part of my kickstarter funds to hiring an editor. I really want to take pride in my videos going forward, and I feel like that's an important step. And hopefully that will result in a boost to the channel that will bring in more revenue that I can use to continue to pay an editor.

Hey, a guy can dream, can't he?

I'm taking tomorrow off from the videos, and I'll be back on Monday, possibly a little later, with a video about the M3D micro.

I spent $200 at Shapeways, and check out what I got video

https://youtu.be/NSSULA6XFNA

As I said, I've been in 3D printing for a while, and I've only occasionally taken advantage of Shapeways. But I have always seen value in it. And I've also seen a handful of thing that I kinda wanted.

I feel like in this video I only really had time to skip across the surface of each object, and nto really able to do the deep dive into each of them. I could have bought just one big thing, I suppose, but I really wanted to give you a sense of the variety and value, that Shapeways has to offer.

I do have a little left that I'm holding on to so I can buy a fancy set of low poly dinos when the kickstarter ends.

One thing I didn't touch on in the video is the question of Shapeways' value as a marketplace for designers. That is to say, if you're trying to sell 3D models on Shapeways, hows that work out for you. And the answer is... complicated. See, designers can set their own price for thing, meaning that the price you pay is one part Shapeway's manufacturing prices, and one part your markup. You can control that markup, which means if you set it too high no one will buy your stuff, but if you set it too low you might as well not even do it. How do you find the sweet spot? How do you drive traffic to your designs? Is it possible to make a decent side business or maybe even a living on Shapeways? It all depends on how much work you want to put into it, how creative you're willing to be, and finding something that people actually want to buy. It's not impossible, but there may be easier ways to make a living.

Concerning the Modibot, let me refer you to the post I made on my old blog, way back in 2013, so I don't have to repeat myself. Also, here's a follow up post when I experimented with hope printing some early ones. In fact one of my earliest videos was my attempt at making early versions of this model work with HIPS for supports. Me and Modibot go way back.

Here are the items I got from the Shapeways marketplace:

• Thorn Die20
• Celtic D4
• CoolEgo Articulate Mini Fig
• Ersatz MkII action figure Female
• Curlicue 12-Sided Dice (Oh, I totally mispronounced that. It's said like "Curly-Q", isn't it)
• Curlicue 10-Sided Dice
• Labyrinthe Die6
• Super Mario Mobius Strip
• Modibot Viking Accessory Kit