We all know someone who could use this: perhaps to commemorate a specific event, or maybe just because it matches their sense of humor.
OpenSCAD files are included so you can customize it. Almost all the customizer parameters are commented. The intent was for this to be used for custom text generation (instructions below), but I left the rest of the model in as well in case you want to make other tweaks.
Keep in mind that this is a script thrown together for a flash contest so it's not especially well structured. That said, there's not a ton of code so it shouldn't be too intimidating if you want to dig into the script and not just tweak parameters.
Update 03/23: Added some plaque variations (add text in the slicer). Also attached my OpenSCAD script (and cat model) as another method for generating text.
Printing Instructions/Tips:
Individual stl files are uploaded, and so is my PrusaSlicer 2.6 configuration (catastrophe.3mf). The 3mf file includes the customizable text on the plaque, configuration for painted-on organic supports, and some seam painting to improve where the slicer puts the seams.
The cat needs supports, nothing else should. A pre-sliced cat file is provided for organic supports in case that's easier.
If you have a multi-material printer you can import the base and the cat into the same part and they should be aligned for printing together with different materials. Otherwise print them separately and assemble after printing.
Text Tips:
The provided plaques are 1.5 mm tall with the text and border adding an additional 0.5 mm. To change color for the text (and border) change filament after the 1.5 mm block is finished; sliced at 0.2 mm layers this will be the step up to 1.80 mm layer height.
To use PrusaSlicer 2.6 for adding the text (Recommended):
- Enable Advanced or Expert mode at the top of the panel on the right side of the window (above Print settings).
- Right-click on model > Add part > Text
- Add your text, pick your font, adjust size so it fits.
- I usually set the height to 5 and use the scale tool to resize it to fit.
- If your text is small you may want to bold it to get thicker lines for printing.
- Depth: 0.5 mm (to match the border height)
- Expand the Advanced section:
- Use Surface: Check to snap the text to the top of the plaque
- Boldness: Further tuning to get letters wide enough for your nozzle.
- Z-rot: change value to align text with the plaque
- Text is to object:
- Added: Default, adds to the top of the model.
- Subtracted: As it says.
- Modifier: Modifies the section of the model, such as allowing use of a different filament for text inset into the top of the plaque.
- To precisely center the text on the plaque using the parts list:
- Click on the "Text - <Your Text Here>"
- In the Part Manipulation window select "Object coordinates"
- Enter 0 in the X and Y position coordinates
- You can tweak text size and aspect ratio using either:
- Select the text and use the scale tool.
- Select the text and use the "Size [World]" and "Scale factors" fields in the Object manipulation window. Make sure you uncheck the lock between those rows or aspect ratio will be locked.
To use OpenSCAD for adding the text:
Open the file in OpenSCAD, make sure the Customizer window is showing.
In the Customizer: expand “Parameters”, “Plaque Shape”, and “Plaque Text”. Highlights are as follows:
- Parameters
- part: This selects the piece to render and export. Pre-selected to Plaque since that's the intended customizable part.
- Plaque Shape
- plaqueStyle: Selects the outer shape of the plaque and if the border is shown.
- Other Plaque Shape parameters can fine tune the shape if desired.
- Plaque Text
- labelTextHeight: How much the text will stick out from the label. Negative values will cut the text into the label instead of putting them on top.
- If you want to inlay the text into the plaque with a different material use a negative labelTextHeight and export both part=Plaque and part=Part Inlay, then import both STLs into the same part in your slicer and assign them different materials.
- labelFont: The font to use. See Help > Font List for the full selection of fonts that your install of OpenSCAD has access to. I typically use “style=Bold” to get wider letters for easier printing.
- labelText1/2: The text to use for line 1/2. Leave blank for no text.
- labelText1/2Metrics: The size in mm for the text width, height, as well as the vertical offset for arranging the lines.
Once it looks good, press f6 to generate a final render (may take a minute or two depending on curves and text complexity), the press f7 to export to STL.
Assembly Instructions:
- Print the cat, the base, and your favorite plaque.
- The base has a slight bump that fits into a notch under the cat to align it. It will stand up as-is, but it's a loose fit so it's best to glue it in place.
- Plaque can be be placed onto the catch on the front, but again, glue it if you don't want it to come off when bumped. The catch will help with aligning it to be centered.