Bambu Labs Lithophane Maker Workflow
Bambu has a number of nice generator tools in their "Labs" section. The problem I have found is that the output is geared to their own printers and trying to use these .3mf files directly in Prusa Slicer results in weird results and usually a print fail. I tried a lot of different combinations (including Bambu Studio) but the only process I can get to work is using Orca to translate between Bambu generator .3mf and .stl file(s) that I read into Prusa for slicing. Some of the generators, like the sign-maker, seem to be a little less proprietary but they still produce weird results in my experience. So here is what works for me:
- For lithophanes I generate 3 .stl files - one for the lens, one for the outer frame, and one for the diffuser.
- F0r the outer frame and the diffuser I read the .3mf (which contains all components), delete everything I don't want in the .stl and the File>Export all objets as one .stl. Two different files. One diffuser.stl One frame.stl
- The lens is very weird because it comes with a scaffolding to print it vertically. I delete everything except the actual lens and the little frame/edge that surrounds it. I select all and lay the two remaining pieces face-up flat on the bed and then export them as a single .stl file
- During this process I have my Prusa Printer Profile selected. Not sure if it matters in the export process, but since I am trying to get rid of the Bambu proprietary crapola I figure it can't hurt
- I then read each of the 3 .stl files in to Prusa and print them separately (although you could probably print the lens and diffuser together.
I see in another thread here that there is a program to translate Bambu .3mf files to Prusa. Not sure if it works for the Lithophanes because I haven't tried it.
RE: Bambu Labs Lithophane Maker Workflow
Had a chance to try the Bambu 3mf convertor referenced in another thread. It is a superior solution (IMHO). There is still a weirdness that is not caused by the converter tool--the lithophane proper is actually in two parts (border & image) and even if you merge them in Prusaslicer there is a one line gap between the upper border and the image panel. Still useable.
I recommend printing the panel vertically, without the stupid scaffolding, parallel to the X axis with a brim. Also used a hot bed temp. Frame printed fine as oriented in the file (slots down on the bed).
RE: Bambu Labs Lithophane Maker Workflow
I've not attempted to use Bambu Labs (for any workflow). What worked well for me in the past (I haven't made a lithophane since before Bambu came out) are a couple online services: https://lithophanemaker.com/ and https://3dp.rocks/lithophane/ I don't know if they save any uploaded images so if that is a concern for you (or anyone else reading this thread) I would understand not wanting to use it.
For offline lithophane generation, I only know of a lithophane generator for FreeCAD. But the last release was in 2019 and FreeCAD has been majorly updated since then. I don't know if the plugin works on the latest FreeCAD, but there is an open issue with someone claiming it no longer works on FreeCAD 1.1.0. Here is the repository for the plugin https://github.com/furti/FreeCAD-Lithophane if you want to investigate. There may be other offline lithophane generators (stand-alone and/or plugins for other modelling software) available.
See my (limited) designs on:
Printables - https://www.printables.com/@Sembazuru
Thingiverse - https://www.thingiverse.com/Sembazuru/designs
RE: Bambu Labs Lithophane Maker Workflow
There's a new one: https://itslitho.com/
I saw it referenced in a write-up on Christmas ornaments: https://itslitho.com/lithophane-guides/christmas-ornament-3d-print-your-personalized-christmas-balls/
Its the most active topic on the Facebook lithophane group.
RE: Bambu Labs Lithophane Maker Workflow
The lithophane creator tool from https://3dp.rocks/lithophane/ can be downloaded via git from here. You can add the downloaded folder to a local webserver (apache2, nginx etc.) in your LAN and run it from there. No internet access, no upload of your images to the cloud.