Customizable Locking Pencil Box Set

cults3d

9/24/13 Update: I added a new feature to the picture module that allows it to be sliced into two nozzle widths. This makes it possible to print the lid at less than 100% infill without compromising the lithophane's quality, and it also looks better with all lines running in the same direction. Talk about useful! You can create this pencil box set in any configuration you need, personalize it with your favorite photo or quote, and even put your name on it. When you have all your supplies stored inside, lock the box with your unique pencil topper key and rest easy knowing your things are protected in your one-of-a-kind locking pencil box. Do you need a ruler? How long? What about a protractor? Do you prefer metric or imperial units? Don't worry, because you can choose the best fit for your needs. This is possibly the most customizable thing on Thingiverse, so if you don't have patience for slow OpenSCAD, "don't come around here no more!" You can use the example STL files, but your kids probably won't be very amused! Here's what you get: 1 body with customizable size and dividers 1 ruler with customizable configuration and decorations 1 pencil topper with customizable logo that acts as a key for the box 1 lid with captured latch mechanism 1 lid without latch (for dualstrusion) 1 latch (for dualstrusion) Please read the instructions for specific part customizing tips, or use the customizer text with each setting. I think it's pretty straightforward. Continue below for the custom features of the customizer user interface. Customizer User Interface Challenges and Solutions: You can't change default rotation during customization; you only get one chance at getting it right. I used rotate and translate to reorient parts for different viewing angles. Check out the assembly of all parts in the "Slicing and Printing" tab! Export multiple STLs. The theory behind the "part" parameter is a good one, but the problem is that if you set up custom views, customizer will export a lot of unprintable garbage. You also need to have the part parameter visible to the user for this function to work. I overcame this by using the customizer tabs to set up and display custom views. This is a big .scad file with lots of modules, so I used some hull() and minkowski() functions despite the warnings on the best practices page. I used a default value for $fn on applicable modules, then when the export part module is called, it's overwritten with a larger value. I used a custom polygon shape to mask the corners of the drawing canvas, so the design won't extend past the round key. I also added a custom shape to the same routine that makes the MakerBot logo! When you edit a thing that's a work in progress, the check box gets magically unchecked. I overcome this by checking! User MichaelAtOz pointed out a customizer error when the display tabs aren't in full view; I wrote an error check for this situation to alert the user to click the arrows and try again. Please download my script and use parts of it to make your customizable things easier to use! Bob