Image Mapping for All 3D Objects

With the new update for Voxelizer (v1.4.18-85-g534fa2) you can now apply Image Mapping to any model you like and it’s very easy.

First of all, make sure you are using the latest unstable version of Voxelizer. help→ change release type → unstable.

Load the model that you would like to print and voxelize it. Make sure you are using the Dual PRO preset.

To apply Image Mapping you have three options:

• Drag and drop an image on the object;
• Right click and select texture mapping;
• Right click and, under set generators, select mapping or mapping & infill;

If you have multiple objects, you will have to do this after activating object selection mode.

A new panel will appear, together with a preview of the object. Let’s see the options:

• COLOR COUNT:

It’s the number of gradients that you want to apply to your mapping.

This amount depends on what image you use and on the size of your object: although there is no limit to what you can choose, we recommend not to exceed 4 gradients  , in order to avoid overflooding of filament and excessive printing time (the maximum that we tested with good results is 6). From our tests we have seen that 4 gradients gives nice results also with pictures.

Check always your Gcode before printing and verify that there are not areas where the filament crossing is too dense: this might happen also with few gradients, if your tecture in a certain point is particularly complex, like in the picture. If you see such areas, or the print doesn’t come out as expected, you might want to reduce the gradients/change the pattern/modify the mesh. 

• MAPPING TYPE:

• FILAMENT DISTANCE

This value should be between 0.2 and 0.4.

During image mapping, the different gradients cross each other like a fabric, moving in continuous outlines. The filament distance parameter controls what distance there is between each outline. A value of 0.2 will allow you to print more detailed models with sharper angles, at the cost of a slight loss in color brightness and “cleaningness”. A value of 0.4 will result in nicer colors but you will have to check your gcode preview to verify that parts of the gradients that are supposed to be inside of the model in a certain point are not sticking out of it. The default value is 0.3 and it will work well in most cases.

• THRESHOLD

When the outlines are getting too small for all the gradients to fit in, only the external one is printed with the extruder 1. The threshold parameter controls when this has to happen.

FURTHER ELEMENTS TO CONSIDER:

• Printing speed:

Image mapping involves continuous micro-movements for the extruder. In order to achieve a good quality of the print it is recommended to reduce the printing speed of the outlines, especially if you choose a complicated pattern or an image or many gradients. Select show advanced and, under the outline tab, change outline print speed to a value around 20 mm/s. 

• Object’s shape:

Always check your GCode before printing. Very complicated shapes and excessive presence of sharp angles might result in low quality prints.

When you have set all the parameters, you are ready to generate your GCode and print.

Happy Image Mapping!

Tags: image mapping, voxelizer, dual pro, multi-material, jpeg, png, texture, scanning, scan,