kmanstudios 1,120
If you wish to go this route (Opening a bitmap into Cura) then do so with darker is higher.Then push the model below the print plate to cut off the base.
Although, the best way to do it is what geert_2 said.
There are a lot of vector packages that can use fonts to create outlines from and then import into a variety of 3D packages for extrusion and beveling. Beveling is important.
Edited by Guest
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geert_2 560
I have never tried this approach via images, so I can't comment on that.
But if you want to print 3D-shapes, letters or whatever else, I would suggest you design them in a 3D-editor. Then you can get everything right in the 3D-editor itself. And you can slant the edges, etc.
I use DesignSpark Mechanical. This is good freeware by RS Components, and only requires registration. It is a limited version of the commercial SpaceClaim 3D-editor. This has an easy to learn interface, similar to SketchUp. There are lots of good training videos available on Youtube. In a few hours you can design simple objects. In a few days, you can design complex objects.
However, it has no built-in text features, so you have to work around: or draw the characters yourself, or import them from another editor, or use the "dimensioning tool" instead. Google for: how to make text in designspark mechanical.
Try to avoid SketchUp: this causes problems, since a lot of shapes are not "watertight": thus they are no solids, but sort of "cardboard" models with infinite thin walls.
You can set the text in SketchUp, export it, and import the skp-file in DesignSpark Mechanical. But then you have to repair these defects due to non-closed vectors manually first. And then in DesignSpark Mechanical, you can extrude it into 3D, slant edges, and do whatever else you want.
Before trying any editor, watch a few demo-videos on Youtube first, to see if you like the workflow.
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