Inkscape Software
Use the 'spin' command in Blender to turn your mesh into a 3D object
TinkerCAD is designed for kids, so very easy to use
It works on the basis of adding or subtracting simple shapes together
I used it to add the ball stopper on the top and the pips to each face of my dice
Export as an STL file for 3D printing
Anycubic Photon 3D printer with ELEGOO ABS-like grey resin
Always make a spare :)
Wash away any residual resin with isopropanol
Sand each face of the dice using dry sandpaper
I made some dice with no twos, fours or sixes...
But I thought they were a bit odd :/
Open up the holes for the pips using a 1.5mm ball drill bit
This will also remove the sanding dust from the holes
Use a small piece of dry sandpaper to lightly sand the remaining surfaces, or you may see print lines in the finished article
Remove any sanding dust and attach to a suitable rod for spraying
Spray a thin, even coat of gloss acrylic all over the dice and allow to dry
Don't spray mosquitos directly with bug repellent...
Or they'll never have any friends XD
When the acrylic has dried, you can open up the holes again with a 2mm ball bit this time
There are 21 pips on a D6. I have counted them many times :/
I 3D printed a reusable form to cast silicone moulds of the dice
When we were kids we used to roll down a hill in car tyres...
They were Goodyears :D
Use soft moulding silicone, A15 shore or softer (the lower the A number the softer the silicone)
Drizzle the silicone from a height and any air bubbles will stretch and pop
I do cure my silicone in a pressure pot (30-40psi) to eliminate any remaining bubbles
To cast my dice I'm using my usual epoxy art resin, which has a 2A:1B mix ratio by weight
Measure accurately and mix thoroughly to avoid sticky spots in your resin
I cure my resin in a pressure pot (20-30 psi)
I could never be a deep sea diver...
I don't perform well under pressure XD
For a really sharp look, the faces will need to be wet sanded and polished to a high shine
Use wet sandpaper 600 through 1500 grit. You only need 7 or 8 passes on each face at each grade.
Protect the ball from accidental scuffs with some tape
3M ZONA polishing papers are highly recommended
Work through each of the 6 different grades in turn, always wet
Remember, 'wet floor' signs are not a request :/
Looks like a jewel :)
Repeat the moulding process for the polished master dice
To create the dual colour effect, first add enough clear resin to fill the neck of the bottle shape
Leave the clear resin to cure for a few hours, then you can top up the mould with a colour of your choice
Remember to over-fill the mould to allow for shrinkage
For a little sparkle add a drop of 'Brea Reese Liquid Glitter', the only glitter I know that doesn't sink in resin.
If you know of any others, please leave me a comment :)
I printed a jig to hold the dice at the correct angle to sand the base perfectly flat
Paint the pips using white gloss model paint
A ball stylus comes in handy for this
Finished!
Thanks for watching!
[Alexa] You might as well have loaded them...
[Alexa] You always cheat at dice games