[Free non-commercial use version downloadable at Makerworld and printables]

This full color lithophane Butterfly requires THREE parts (blue, red and yellow) to achieve the full spectrum of colors to include green AND purple. A two-part version could only include green with the blue and red/yellow shades. Note that though the final model includes reds, greens, blues and purples, it only requires four filaments (two per piece), transparent, blue, red and yellow.

Since there is but one filament swap needed for each piece, it would not seem unreasonable to assume any FDM printer that can pause for a swap could be successful in making this model. Note that the 3mf file provided was created in Bambu Studio. If that causes a problem, the raw STL files are provided as well. Use the swap information below in that case to set up the prints.

Being done in PETG, instead of PLA, improves the model's ability to withstand the sun's heat. If it can be assured that the model will not be subjected to full sun, PLA can be used, instead. The filaments specified below is a random selection of brands available off of Amazon, so feel free to sub other brands of like characteristics.

Note that each part is VERY thin and is likely to be hard to remove from the build plate in one piece unless you are VERY careful. The use of glue stick as a releasing agent could be a good choice. Rushing the removal has led to some problems for me.

Part 1 (front/blues)

Project: Butterfly3_Part_1_of_3_PETG.hfp Print at 100% infill with a layer height of 0.08mm with a base layer of 0.16mm

The Model is 150x149.18mm in size

You may print at higher layer heights below the Min Depth of 0.16mm The Max Depth is 0.8mm and the Actual Depth is 0.72mm

Filaments Used: PETG GeeeTech Transparent Transmission Distance: 100 PETG Kaaber Blue Transmission Distance: 3.3 This print uses 2 unique filaments

Swap Instructions: Start with Transparent At layer #2 (0.24mm) swap to Blue for the rest.

Part 2 (Back/reds)

Project: Butterfly3_Part_2_of_3_PETG.hfp Print at 100% infill with a layer height of 0.08mm with a base layer of 0.16mm

The Model is 150x149.18mm in size

You may print at higher layer heights below the Min Depth of 0.16mm The Max Depth is 0.72mm and the Actual Depth is 0.72mm

Filaments Used: PETG GeeeTech Transparent Transmission Distance: 100 PETG Kaaber Red Transmission Distance: 6.5 This print uses 2 unique filaments

Swap Instructions: Start with Transparent At layer #2 (0.24mm) swap to Red for the rest.

Part 3 (Middle/yellows)

Project: Butterfly3_Part_3_of_3_PETG.hfp Print at 100% infill with a layer height of 0.08mm with a base layer of 0.16mm

The Model is 150x149.18mm in size

You may print at higher layer heights below the Min Depth of 0.16mm The Max Depth is 0.72mm and the Actual Depth is 0.72mm

Filaments Used: PETG GeeeTech Transparent Transmission Distance: 1e+02 PETG Bambu HF Yellow Transmission Distance: 4 This print uses 2 unique filaments

Swap Instructions: Start with Transparent At layer #2 (0.24mm) swap to Yellow for the rest.