Lithophane

A lithophane is a thin 3D panel where an image is encoded as varying thickness. When backlit, the thinner areas let more light through, revealing the image. This creates a beautiful way to display photographs and artwork.

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How to Use

  1. Import an image or select an existing image object
  2. Apply the Lithophane operation
  3. Adjust the resolution and dimensions
  4. Print the result in a light-colored material and place in front of a light source

Parameters

  • Pixels Per mm - Resolution of the lithophane (default: 1.5, range: 0.5-3). Higher values capture more detail but create larger files
  • Height - Maximum thickness of the lithophane panel (default: 2.5mm, range: 0.5-3mm)
  • Width - Total width of the lithophane in pixels (default: 150)
  • Invert - Reverse the light/dark mapping (default: on). Usually kept on for correct display when backlit

Tips

  • Print in white or light-colored material for best results
  • A height of 2-3mm works well for most lithophanes
  • Higher Pixels Per mm captures more detail but increases print time and file size
  • Mount the finished print in a frame with LED backlighting for best visibility
  • Portrait photos with good contrast work particularly well