Step-by-step instructions of How to Create & Print a 3D Model of Your Signature!
Overview
- Create a Signature: I started with a signature that I created on my daughter’s tablet computer using Microsoft Whiteboard with a stylus for input. So I actually signed my signature right on the screen of the computer with the stylus. If that is not available to you – there are many other ways to accomplish the same thing – one of which is to use Microsoft OneNote – which is free and can be used on your phone. The signature was stored in a PNG format.
- Convert the Signature to SVG File Format: We then uploaded the signature file to convertio.co to convert the signature from a PNG format to an SVG file format.
- Convert the SVG File to an STL File: We then took that SVG file and uploaded it to SVG2STL.com to convert the signature to an STL format – which can be used to create the code we can use to manipulate it as a 2D image or “slice” it into GCODE with slicing software like CURA to actually 3D my signature.
- Manipulate the Signature: Upload into a program like TinkerCAD to manipulate the signature STL file. This is where you can change the size or imbed it into something else like a picture frame, etc. You might be able to skip this step if you just want to print out the signature. In that case you could just upload it into whatever software (for example CURA) you are using to slice the file and prepare it to be sent to the 3D printer for printing.
- 3D Print the Signature!
Detailed Instructions on HOW to Convert Your Signature to a 3D Model- With Pictures
1) For the best results, you need to start with a clean signature image with no artifacts or noise. We used Microsoft White board and a stylus to create this one with my daughter’s tablet. If you don’t have a tablet try downloading Microsoft OneNote on to your phone (it’s free) and using that. Store the signature image as a PNG file.
2) Go to the FREE website Convertio.co and select “Choose Files” A dialogue box will open up with File Explorer.
3) Select you signature file and hit “Open” to upload you signature PNG file. You will need to navigate to the location that your signature file is stored. You might need also to select SVG from the dialogue box for the type of file you are converting this PNG to.
4) Select “Convert” to transform the PNG file of your signature to a SVG file format.
5) Select “Download” to put the converted signature file, which is now in a SVG format, back onto your local hard drive.
6) Use your web browser to navigate to the FREE website SVG2STL.com. This is where you will convert the signature file – which is presently in SVG format to an STL file which can be used to 3D print your signature. Click on the “Select” button on the upper left hand side of the website. This will open File Explorer again in a dialogue box.
7) Select you signature file THAT IS IN SVG FORMAT and hit “Open” to upload you signature SVG file. Please note: You will still probably see the signature file as a PNG file too – and you need to be careful and attentive here to select the SVG file version of your signature file now!
8) Click on the “Upload” button that is right next to the “Select” button you just used. This uploads the SVG file you just selected to the website for conversion to the STL format.
9) If you see the signature clearly like in my example – press the “Convert” button to transform the SVG version of your signature to a STL file format. Note – you can set the HEIGHT of the signature here if you want to. If you are going to “Tinker” this with TinkerCAD or the like – you don’t have to worry about this now an can change it in TinkerCAD.
10) You now will see a preview of your signature in STL file format. If it is all black – it will not be usable. It should look something like what you see here in the picture to the left. If the file looks usable – then click on the “Download” button located to the right of the preview of your signature. This will download your signature, which is now in STL file format – to your local hard drive.
11) You can now navigate your web browser to TinkerCAD.com. Sign in and select “Create New Design“.
12) Select the “Import” button – which will be located towards the upper right hand side of the webpage. This will open a browser based dialogue box.
13) Select the “Choose a File” button OR drag the signature file THAT IS IN STL FILE FORMAT into the dotted box to select the STL file you want to work with (which is the signature STL file).
14) Select the “Import” button again to bring the signature fiel – in STL format into TinkerCAD so you can work with it and manipulate it, or even add or imbed your signature into something like a keychain or picture frame!
15) Manipulate and build!
16) When you are done “tinkering” with the signature file in TinkerCAD – export it back out again – still as a STL file. Then upload it to you slicing software (here we are using CURA) – to prepare the model to be 3D printed!
17) Here is the end result – the 3D printed version of my signature! We printed this out in glow-in-the-dark filament. The dot on the “i” was not connected – and fell down here for the picture – but other than that – it is a perfect replica of the signature I started with.
Conclusion
I hope you found this helpful! We intend on integrating signatures into other object (such as key chains & picture frames) and will probably produce another post or video covering the process in detail. We will also likely be covering how to turn clipart into glow-in-the-dark ceiling art – since the kids have expressed an interest in doing that.
Sincerely,
