How to make keychains with names in 3D

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A fantastic idea to print personalized keychains are the keychains with 3D names.

Although it may not seem like it, it is something easy to do and according to what they say, one of the products more profitable to sell 3D models.

To make 3D name tags you will need a program like Photoshop, an online SVG file converter, and an online 3D modeling program like Tinkercad.

How to make keychains with 3D names:

Step 1: With Photoshop create a new file and choose the text tool. Then choose the letter you like the most and write the name, when you finish export the file in PNG format.

Step 2: Go to the site convertio.co and upload the PNG file you created, convert it to a SVG file.

Step 3: Now open tinkercad and import the SVG file you saved. Once imported, edit it to your liking and export the STL file.

Step 4: Open the STL file with Cura Ultimaker or with your favorite Slicer and configure your preference settings.

Step 5: 3D print the name on your 3D printer and then add the key ring.

3D name keychains step by step with images

Step 1Photoshop

First you have to open Photoshop and create a new blank file.

Then select the text tool and write the name.

3D Name Keychains Using Photoshop
In Photoshop choose the letter you like and write the name

Once this is done you need to do two more things, first export the written name in PNG.

Click on “File” => “Export” => “Quick Export as PNG”

Quick export as PNG
Quick export as PNG

Save the PNG file to a folder and return to Photoshop

Save the PNG file to a folder
Save the PNG file to a folder

Now you will see how create a background for the keychain in case you want to do it like that.

you have to click “Layer” => “Layer Style” => “Blending Options…”

3D Name Keychains - Fusion Options
Merge Options

In the blending options, you will place yourself on the “outer glow” option and configure it so that a silhouette is formed around the text.

Click “Outer Glow” and then set the options as follows:

Photoshop-layer style
Set “Outer Glow” to make the keychain background

Structure:

  • Blending Mode: Normal
  • Opacity 100%
  • Noise: 0%
  • Colour: black

Items:

  • Technique: Precise
  • Extender: 100%
  • Size: 25 px (remember that what matters is that a silhouette is formed around the entire text until there are no white spaces left inside. Choose the size that works best for your text)

Quality:

  • Range: 100%
  • Vibration: 0%

When you finish setting up the outer glow your text should have transformed into something like this (see image below)

Photoshop - export PNG file
Export the keychain background in PNG to the same folder as before

If everything went well, you can export the PNG file in the same way as the previous step and in the same folder.

Click on “File” => “Export” => “Quick Export as PNG”

3D Name Keychains - convertio.co - convert files
Export the PNG file in the same way as the previous step

From this point on you are done using Photoshop.

Step 2: Convert files to SVG

Go to the website convertio.co and load the PNG files

Load the PNG files

Click where it says “select files” and when the window opens choose the PNG files you saved.

Open the files you saved

once loaded Select the option convert to SVG

Select the option convert to SVG

Now click on convert and then download those files

Download the SVG files in your folder

Once you have your two PNG files converted to SVG you can move on to the next step which is to open Tinkercad to edit them.

Step 3: Tinkercad

Opens the home page of tinkercad

3D Name Keychains - Login to Tinkercad
Log in to Tinkercad

You can log in to Tinkercad with your Google account, it's free.

Log in to Tinkercad

On the next screen choose to create a new 3D design

3D Name Keychains - Create a New Design
New 3D design in Tinkercad

Then in your work plan select “import”

3d name keychains - import into tinkercad
select import

Now choose your SVG file from the name and click “import”

Import your SVG file

Once you have imported the file with the name in SVG format, you can resize it to fit into your workspace.

I think about 70 millimeters wide will be fine. You can modify this to your liking.

Keychains with name 3D-modeling in Tinkercad
Choose a size approximately 7 centimeters wide.

Then modify its height so that it is approximately 6 millimeters.

3D Name Keychains - Change your height
Modify its height as shown in the image

Now you need to add a reinforcing base below the letters.

(This is where you will choose whether to use the background you exported from Photoshop or create a simple one for the letters., if you choose the background made in Photoshop then you import it and place it below the text. I am going to continue with the example of the name in 3D)

Choose the “Basic Shapes” bar (on the right) the shape “Cube

Make sure you give it the same width and height measurements as the name. (In my case 70 mm x 6 mm)

Create a rectangle that overlaps the text as a “reinforcement”

In the example I'm going to place it below, overlapping the letters with the rectangle so that they come together and join together.

Now you need to make a hole for the key ring to go through.

In the basic shapes bar on the right choose a transparent cylinder.

Then give it some measurements of 3 mm x 3 mm and a height of 7 mm.

Place a transparent cylinder to pass the keyring ring

Now select everything and use the “Group” option

Select everything and click “Merge”

If everything went well, you should end up with something like this, in the same color (see image below)

3D Name Keychain in Tinkercad
Keychain with 3D names in Tinkercad

Now you need to export the STL file so you can open it in Slicer and print it.

Select the model and Click “Export”

Export STL file from Tinkercad

And ready! You already have your keychain in STL format ready to open with the Slicer and print it.

Step 4: Ultimaker Cure

In Cura you will place your favorite parameters, if you want you can see the publication “Best Cura setups for beginners

In case you have problems with Threads in your 3D prints, I recommend that you visit the publication “Threads in 3D printing (and how to avoid them)

I am going to use a filler of 100% because I want this keychain to be firm and last a long time.

Other than that there shouldn't be any problems as it will be an easy print without supports.

Keychain finished in cure
Keychain finished in cure

When you have everything ready, do the segmentation and save your STL Keychain file on the 3D printer's micro SD.

Step 5: Print 3D Name Keychains

Once you have the printed model in your hands you can add the rings of the key chain.

Print 3D Name Keychain
custom 3d printed keychains
custom 3d printed keychains

Done, now you know how to print names in 3D with any font from Photoshop.

I know there are a lot of videos on YouTube, but sometimes I feel the need to read a step-by-step guide a little more calmly without having to pause the video and at the same time it is already recorded on the blog for whoever needs it.

I welcome any constructive criticism that helps me grow in the comments.

Thank you very much and good luck with your projects…

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