SHAPEWAYS - 3D PRINTING

[Canuck]

Thanks George 

[gibell]

The puzzle in this photol was dyed "blue Jeans" by Shapeways.  The only problem is that if the piece is not well-cleaned before dying, when it is cleaned white spots may come out.  This is what happened in the above photo.  So lately I have been dying them myself.  See this photo.

[Canuck]

Yeah...hmmmmmmm, have to wait and see how my copy turns out 

[smiteo]

George,
what do you use to dye your pieces?  Do you dip the pieces, or do you paint it on?

Cheers,
Derek

[gibell]

George,
what do you use to dye your pieces?  Do you dip the pieces, or do you paint it on?

I use RIT fabric dye that you can buy in the supermarket.  Basically, I'm following the directions on the package.  I add the dye to water, boil it and then take it outside.  I put the pieces in the dye bath for 20 minutes or so, then take em out and wash them many times.  I've been using an old camping pot for this and I try to do it when my wife is not home or she would freak out!   

The nice thing about dye is it doesn't seem to change any tolerances.  I think painting pieces would destroy the fit.

[smiteo]

could you "paint" the dye on?
I have some pieces I want to "multi-color"...  a twisty puzzle that I'd rather not sticker...

[gibell]

could you "paint" the dye on?
I have some pieces I want to "multi-color"...  a twisty puzzle that I'd rather not sticker...

I doubt it.  For one thing the dye has to be nearly boiling to penetrate well.  Also if you remove them after 15 seconds they are only slightly tinted.

If its the outside of a twisty puzzle, paint would probably work fine.  I've also used permanent magic marker which seems to work (but test it out on a piece first).

I'm pretty sure Oskar dyes all his twisty puzzle pieces black, then after washing and drying he attaches stickers to them.

[smiteo]

I'll try permanent markers first...  then paint...  then dye...
thanks for the advice, George!  Your results look great...

D

[Canuck]

I'm pretty sure Oskar dyes all his twisty puzzle pieces black, then after washing and drying he attaches stickers to them.

Wow...sounds like a lot of work!  

[gibell]

Wow...sounds like a lot of work!  

Piece o Cake compared to the 3D modeling that goes into those twisty puzzles!  I asked Oskar what software he uses to create these and he listed 6 software tools that cost several thousand dollars!

[Canuck]

Piece o Cake compared to the 3D modeling that goes into those twisty puzzles!  I asked Oskar what software he uses to create these and he listed 6 software tools that cost several thousand dollars!

 

[Canuck]

Check out Bram Cohen shop: http://www.shapeways.com/shops/bram_cohen

[Canuck]

Vesa Timonen's shop: http://www.shapeways.com/shops/vesapuzzles

[Canuck]

Derek Bosch's shop: http://www.shapeways.com/shops/smiteo

[Canuck]

Bathsheba sculptures: http://www.shapeways.com/shops/bathsheba