3D Printing - Tips & Tricks

The 3D Model download package contains two versions of the model: Plain and Numbered. The geometry is almost identical; the difference is how the block numbers are represented.

PLAIN

The blocks have flat, unnumbered bases. If you choose this version, you'll need to identify or mark the blocks yourself during assembly.

NUMBERED

The block numbers are incorporated into the geometry of the bases. When you slice the model, the numbers appear on the base of each block, making the blocks easier to identify and position during assembly.

The Numbered blocks take slightly longer to print because of the additional details.

Both versions identify the block number and colour in the file name. The included PDF layout guide shows where each block belongs in the finished artwork.

This tutorial uses PrusaSlicer with a Prusa multimaterial setup.

1. Select your printer. Choose your multimaterial printer in PrusaSlicer.
2. Import the colour groups. Select all five colour-group STL files and drag them into the slicer. The file names identify the colour groups.
3. Keep the model aligned. When prompted, confirm that the files belong to the same multicolour model. This preserves their relative positions.
4. Adjust the scale if needed. Scale the complete artwork to fit your build plate.
5. Set up your print. Assign the appropriate filament to each colour group, check the sliced preview, and prepare the print.

Watch the video tutorial ➜

When printing blocks with inclined top surfaces, visible layer stepping can affect the finish. Printing the blocks upside down moves this stepping to the base, helping to achieve a smoother, flatter top surface. 

Use the Place on Face function in your slicer to position each block flat on its top surface. Simply rotating the block 180° is not enough. This orientation moves layer stepping to the base, helping to achieve smoother, flatter top surfaces.

Watch the video tutorial ➜

You don’t have to flip the blocks to use colour changes. Add a classic filament colour change at a selected height, and the rest of the print continues in a contrasting colour.

This works great when you apply it to the entire artwork. You can also apply it to individual blocks. In that case, remember to use the same height for the colour change on every block. Save your settings as a preset, then use Replace with STL to swap in the geometry of another block.

Pyramid-shaped blocks can also be printed hollow, using the same procedure as for the open blocks (see 08).

Rotating the pyramids also works when you want a sharper apex. Printing a pyramid on its side often improves the sharpness of the apex, which can be difficult to perfect when printed in the default upright position.

You can preview different colour combinations in PrusaSlicer before generating the G-code. You don’t need a multimaterial printer to do this, because it is just a printer preset in the program.

1) Set your printer to a multimaterial printer preset (e.g. MK3S+MMU3). If this option isn’t available, add it via the Configuration Wizard.

2) Select all five Colour Group STLs (Colour 1–5) and drag & drop them into PrusaSlicer. Confirm the notification about a multimaterial print.

3) Assign a colour to each extruder by clicking the small colour square next to the Filament setting. Then assign each STL part to the corresponding extruder.

4) To see the entire artwork, either scale it down to fit the print bed, or open the Printer Settings tab and increase the Bed Shape size.

Watch the video tutorial ➜

For custom RGB colour palettes, see the full colour preview tutorial ➜

For designs such as Whipping Cream and Floating Fumes, print the blocks vertically to get smoother layer stepping.

This matters most when you scale the model down. At the native size, layer stepping is less noticeable, but on a smaller print it becomes more visible, so vertical orientation is essential.

The template has since been refined. Block divisions now follow the curvature and are organised by colour. Vertical positioning is still the key to the best result.