Sample result

Click to view 3D model of sample (choose wireframe view)

Thanks to the gov't shutdown, I've been left with a bit of free time on my hands. Out of that has come a project that I just uploaded to Github, which converts image files and simple text expressions to .STL files, suitable for 3D printing.

The code can be imported and used like any other python library. Running the installation also generates a command-line script with the same functionality and arguments, for those who don't want to write any python code of their own.

Thanks to some rendering functions from Matplotlib, this can also be used to render LaTeX expressions to high quality .png images, and then as .STL files.

Please, hack on it and let me know what you think! Unfortunately I haven't been able to actually print any of the examples, since I don't have access to my lab at the moment.

I'm interested in writing a robust webcam-based 3D scanner next. Most likely using this piece of dark magic for the heavy lifting.