Drawing Extruder
Description
Go from a black & white drawing to 3D print in just a few minutes using free tools. Great for art classes and more. I admired the work of [UnpredictableLab](https://www.thingiverse.com/UnpredictableLab/designs) and wanted an easy way of converting 2D black and white line drawings into 3D prints. After some trial and error, I came up with this solution using [OpenSCAD](https://www.openscad.org/). While you can get cleaner details by importing images into a program like Fusion 360, this script allows you to go from drawing to 3D print in just a few minutes. The directions are simple. - Scan your black and white line drawing into your computer. - Use image editing software (like [paint.net](https://www.getpaint.net/)) and make sure all the lines are connected. Then reduce the image down to no more than about 200 x 200 pixels. The result should be dark black lines on a white background with no transparency like you see in the examples. - Save the image as a .png file in the same directory as the .scad script. - Launch OpenSCAD and open the .scad script. Update the image parameters with the values from your image and change the print size parameters as needed. - Preview the results in OpenSCAD and adjust the thickness factor as needed. Increase the thickness if the lines are not continuous or too thin. Decrease the thickness factor if the lines are too thick. - Once you're happy, select Render in OpenSCAD and export an .stl file. - Print the .stl file as usual using your printer's slicer program. The smiley face is a simple test drawing using a Sharpie marker. To create the self standing version of the smiley face, just set *output_height_z* = 8 (mm). The free [boy_drawing image](https://pixabay.com/vectors/scribbling-writing-student-write-152216/) from [OpenClipart-Vectors](https://pixabay.com/users/openclipart-vectors-30363/) was downloaded from [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/). Within paint.net, I connected the middle and lower parts of his ear and added a connection between his pointer finger and thumb to ensure it would print as one object. The wheel was a test to see if you could do a quick sketch and print an object for use in a larger project. Some ideas for using these prints include desk or window decorations, the start for a "stained glass" art project, a stamp to make impressions in cookie dough and modeling clay, or a group of stand up sculptures. Have fun experimenting. >Thingiverse may still be having trouble with some of the files. I have submitted a Support Request. >In the mean time, you can download the complete file set [here](https://www.k12irc.org/_talks/DrawingExtruder_files.zip "download from K12IRC.org").
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