Texture Rollers & Mats

[Vicki C]

Wow!!! I wondered how you had made the 3D print when you posted the pic of this soap in another thread, @Vicki C. Would you please post a picture of the 3D printed “tiles” you used to make the silicone mat? If you could show in a second pic how they fit in the bottom of the mold to pour the silicone, that would be even better. And if you would then show the finished mat, that would be stellar! ️

Sure
I started with photos of phytoplankton and drew them in Procreate, which is what I have for drawing. It’s not perfect.
Then I exported my drawings as pngs.
These are my daughter’s phytoplankton photos. (I’m so proud of her. It’s not an easy time to be in the sciences. )




Then I created an svg file out of the png. A svg file is one that 3D design programs like tinkerCAD can read. I use Adobe, they have a free online converter.

Here is the design in Tinkercadd. I brought in each drawing individually and placed them on a flat surface that would fit into my mold.

Then I exported the drawing as an stl file. Then brought the stl file into the “slicer” program that comes with my 3D printer. This tells the printer how exactly it’s going to create the 3D object. Then I printed three copies of the bigger file and one of the skinnier file.
There are two versions there because I ended up remaking the silicone mat as the designs were too deep and the soap didn’t want to release. I settled on .87 mm for the height of the phytoplankton designs (height from the base), which was fine. The base is 2 mm thick. I think.
I didn’t use the soap mold to pour the mat. I made a little box out of corrugated plastic, which worked fine.


I used two part silicone from Brick in the Wall, I like their products.
The next day I unmolded - I broke the hot glue gunned seams to get it out.

These are the two versions - the first one I made was both too deep and overly thick. The second one is much thinner and easier for releasing the soap. Sort of hard to tell here, but the yellow one is the first version.

That’s pretty much it!
In short:
Draw picture, create png
PNG -> SVG
SVG to tinkerCAD or other design program
Design program -> stl
STL to slicer
Slicer-> gcode
Gcode to printer.
I am pretty much a rank beginner at 3D printing, I know there are others who are much more experienced. (Yoo hoooooo! @Cindy D. ! )

 

[Cindy D.]

@Vicki C those are awesome!! Thanks for explaining your process! I so want to make an impression mat, I just need to figure out something I'll use more than once.
Are you aware you can import SVGs into your slicer. You can adjust the thickness of your svg to 2.87mm(after unlocking the dimensions), add a box. Select the box, both will be selected up at the top of the screen the 0 button should break them apart. Set the box thickness to 2mm and then set the rest of the dimensions. After positioning the 2 pieces you can select both, right click and hit merge. Then you can slice it.
It took a long time to not be frustrated to tears, but I really wanted to be able to make my own designs in fusion 360(free hobby version). My husband keeps telling me things he wants me to make...I intended to make soap today and yesterday and the day before... Guess I still have time.

 

[Vicki C]

Oh that’s very cool, thanks!

 

[ScentimentallyYours]

This is a high lard soap I made and just used a wooden roller from temu. This is a lovely way to just add a wee but of texture. The bar is easier to hold on to! (At least for a bit). Easy beginners idea. It's just a matter of doing it at the right state of firmness and not over doing the pressure. (Yup I know ). A wee bit of dusting from a bio gold mica. I also use a thin recycled bag to lay over it after a light spray of alcohol. It make the impressions sharp.

Very nice @Susan Cote! I appreciate you posting pictures of the texture roller soap and explaining how easy it is to use under the right circumstances. I really haven’t seen much information along these lines before, and I like that it can be easy to decorate soaps without the fancy frosted tops, which means they can fit in a soap box.

I also like your lotus blossom stamp. I have a different lotus stamp and the fragrance to go with it to make soap for my Indian friends and neighbors. It’s on my very long list of soaps to get to in the very near future. I have to quit looking at everyone else else’s gorgeous work and get started actually cranking something out!

 

[ScentimentallyYours]

@Vicki C those are awesome!! Thanks for explaining your process! I so want to make an impression mat, I just need to figure out something I'll use more than once.
Are you aware you can import SVGs into your slicer. You can adjust the thickness of your svg to 2.87mm(after unlocking the dimensions), add a box. Select the box, both will be selected up at the top of the screen the 0 button should break them apart. Set the box thickness to 2mm and then set the rest of the dimensions. After positioning the 2 pieces you can select both, right click and hit merge. Then you can slice it.
It took a long time to not be frustrated to tears, but I really wanted to be able to make my own designs in fusion 360(free hobby version). My husband keeps telling me things he wants me to make...I intended to make soap today and yesterday and the day before... Guess I still have time.View attachment 81476View attachment 81477

Priceless information @Vicki C!!! The information for thickness of the raised portion will be very helpful in putting together the design I have in mind. Since I don’t do three deep printing myself, specific depth info will make it easier to work with someone else.

Love the plankton tribute to your daughter!