Text through Cura?

[hintonlibrary 0]

I am insanely new at 3D printing, I purchased the Ultimaker 2 Ultimaker 2 go ( I'm a library Director) I am wanting to add text to some prints and make custom bookmarks.

That being said, how in the world do I do that?!?!

Thanks!

Alpha

[pm_dude 27]

Hi Alpha,

If you are looking to create bookmarks with text you could do that using a simple image. I dont know if the newer versions of Cura still support that.

If you are looking to add text to an existing 3D object (stl) you'll need to import that model is 3D softwares and add the text were you want it, re export the model in STL and open it in Cura. I think you can do that with TinkerCAD. With this method you can also create bookmarks as a 3D object.

[hintonlibrary 0]

What software would you recommend?

[ultiarjan 1,223]

It's very easy to create 3D text in Sketchup, but modeling in sketchup for 3d printing is not the best idea, as you would need to repair the STL's produced.

I usually use "design spark mechanical" (free CAD software) to model, and add tekst I take from sketchup.

You can f.e. just save a file from sketchup with the whole alphabet in the font you like, and import it in DSM to use. Be sure to export from sketchup as version 8, as DSM will not open newer versions.

[pm_dude 27]

Autodesk Tinker CAD is a great starting point and might generate better text than Sketchup.

http://blog.tinkercad.com/2014/06/10/tinkertip-text-shape-generator/

Design Spark Mecanical is great.

[ultiarjan 1,223]

Talking about Autodesk, if your on the look for free cad software checkout the free Autodesk fusion 360.

[tommyph1208 55]

Sounds to me like the easiest solution for you would be to do as pm_dude intitially suggested... That is;

- Make your bookmark as a 2D image in eg. photoshop (or even paint)

- Import the image into Cura

- Fiddle a bit around with the import settings (base height, what color is heigh, what is low, etc.)

- Print

Remember to make your text big enough, and don't use a font with lots of detail in it...

[richoweng 0]

so is the size of the text object the reason that cura ignores the feature?

[gr5 2,173]

Sometimes Cura ignores text because it is too small.  But there are many other possibilities.  Please show some screen shots.  If something isn't printing it could either be because it is too small or because the model is not manifold (solid).  In particular, sketchup is the best cad for making non manifold designs but the solutions are simple, and easy.  Please provide more info for your particular text:

1) What cad are you using

2) Is the text thinner than the nozzle diameterX2?  (0.8mm typically)

3) Show screenshots of the model in prepare mode, slice view, and xray view