I've been wracking my brain trying to use FOSS tools (both #OpenSCAD and #FreeCAD) to try to generate proper pattern draft (that is, a taper in the Z-axis direction) for generated text.
This is for actual #metalcasting, using sand molds, and so the draft on the pattern is not merely aesthetic - it's a requirement for pattern removal.
So far, even on my rather beefy workstation with 64GB of RAM, the tools really cannot handle the work. It may very easily be that - at least in the case of OpenSCAD - I am insufficiently experienced, and there may be a much more computationally-tractable technique.

But today - or maybe last night? - it occurred to me that I may be able to go about this entirely differently, and generate the pattern draft by treating the whole thing as, effectively, no different from a #lithophane

1) Generate an image of the text that I'm trying to cast, black text on white BG.
2) Use image tools (Probably #GIMP as it's the thing I have and best know how to use - even if the name should be changed) to turn that strict B/W image into a greyscale height map.

In this scenario, the grey value of a pixel represents the height above the datum plane. The all-black text being at maximum height, and the all-white BG being zero height. A "blurred gradient shadow" type effect applied to the text then gives some arbitrary pattern draft, and the work I do to select and/or generate this blur will determine the parameters of the draft...

Printed a chromalithophane. 👀

#3DPrinting #furry #fursuit #FursuitPhoto #LupeSuits #FoxFursuit #lithophane #chromalithophane #chromalithography

Ich bin gerade auch geflasht vom Ergebnis meines Versuches ein Farb-#Lithophane zu drucken: Mega!

Die Datei habe ich mit Hilfe des "Make my Lithophane"-Tools in der #MakerWorld gemacht.

https://makerworld.com/en/makerlab

#3D #3dprinting #BambuLab