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Making, converting and downloading on 3d-lithophane.com is for members. Registering is free and takes a minute: then you can use every tool, with free downloads every day.

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Make a globe or sphere lithophane

Wrap one to four photos around a glowing sphere, or use a built-in map of the Earth, the Moon, Mars, the Sun, Ceres or Pluto. Set the diameter and thickness, how much of the globe the photo covers, the opening at the bottom for the LED, a vent at the top, and an optional cylinder stand.

Around the photo, the rest of the sphere can be smooth and bright or thick and dark. Preview it in 3D and download the STL. It is free with an account: register free, then build, preview and download, with a few downloads a day; Supporters download without a daily limit.

Tips for a good print

  • Print it upright as modelled, sitting on its bottom opening.
  • Use 100 % infill, a 0.10 mm layer height (0.08 mm for the finest detail), a slow speed of about 30 to 40 mm/s and the fan at 100 %. Any gap in the infill lets light leak through unevenly. The full table is in the guide.
  • A Moon lithophane in white PLA over a warm LED is one of the most popular gifts to print.

Frequently asked questions

How do I make a Moon lamp?

Upload your photo and choose "Moon" as the background: the surface of the Moon fills the sphere around the picture. Set the diameter and a bottom opening big enough for your LED, and download the STL. There is a step-by-step Moon lamp guide.

Can I put my own photo on a globe?

Yes. One photo wraps the whole globe; with two to four, each gets an equal slice from pole to pole.

What infill and layer height should I use?

Use 100 % infill, a 0.10 mm layer height (0.08 mm for the finest detail), a slow speed of about 30 to 40 mm/s and the fan at 100 %. Any gap in the infill lets light leak through unevenly. The full table is in the guide.

Does a sphere lithophane need supports?

Printed upright on its opening it usually prints without them. If the lower curve droops on your printer, slow down and make sure the fan is at 100 %.