A 3D lithophane, also known as a 3D printed lithophane, is a type of three-dimensional object that is created using a specific technique known as lithophane carving or lithophane printing.
Lithophanes are traditionally thin, translucent porcelain or glass panels that display an image when illuminated from behind. The image appears in varying shades of gray depending on the thickness of the material. In recent years, the concept of lithophanes has been adapted to 3D printing.
To create a 3D lithophane, a grayscale image is converted into a 3D model using specialized software. The software interprets the different shades of gray in the image as variations in the thickness of the object. The resulting 3D model is typically a mesh or a series of contours, where areas corresponding to lighter shades are thinner, and darker areas are thicker.
This 3D model is then 3D printed using an appropriate material, such as translucent filament or resin. When illuminated from behind, the varying thicknesses of the printed object cause the light to pass through different areas, creating a visible image that closely resembles the original grayscale image.
3D lithophanes are often used for creating personalized gifts, decorative pieces, and artistic objects. They can be customized with various images, including photographs, portraits, landscapes, and intricate designs. The translucency and depth of a 3D lithophane create a unique visual effect when lit, making them appealing for aesthetic purposes.