16-Color HueForge / Lithophane Print Instructions
Printer & Material
Printer type: FDM (Ender, Bambu, Prusa, etc.)
Nozzle: 0.4 mm (0.6 mm also works for thicker layers)
Layer height: 0.08 mm (recommended for detail)
Walls: 1 (HueForge handles depth via color)
Top layers: 0
Bottom layers: 6–8
Infill: 100%
Print speed: 40–60 mm/s
Cooling: 100% after first 2 layers
Adhesion: Brim optional
Recommended Filament Colors (Example Set)
Order matters: darkest prints first, lightest last
Black
Dark navy
Deep purple
Indigo
Dark blue
Teal blue
Blue-green
Emerald
Cyan
Light cyan
Pale blue
Cool white
Warm white
Light lavender
Pearl / silk white
Pure white
(You can substitute colors as long as brightness increases steadily.)
Layer-by-Layer Color Change Guide
Total height example: 3.2 mm
Layer height: 0.08 mm
Total layers: 40
Change filament at the following Z heights:
Color #
Z Height (mm)
1
0.00
2
0.20
3
0.40
4
0.60
5
0.80
6
1.00
7
1.20
8
1.40
9
1.60
10
1.80
11
2.00
12
2.20
13
2.40
14
2.60
15
2.80
16
3.00
How to Do the Color Changes
Option A: Manual (All Printers)
Slice the STL
Add pause at height (or layer) in slicer
At pause:
Retract filament
Load next color
Purge until clean
Resume print
Option B: AMS / MMU
Assign colors in slicer by layer
Verify color order before printing
Orientation
Flat back on build plate
Image faces UP
Never mirror unless intentional
Lightbox Use (Optional)
Best backlight: cool white LED strip
Distance from LEDs: 15–25 mm
Diffuser recommended for smooth glow
Pro Tips
Darker colors = thinner layers = more contrast
If highlights look blown out, reduce final color thickness
Silk or translucent filaments enhance glow effects
Always print a small test strip first