Introduction: 3D Perspective Signature Model. I Will Design a Custom Model for the First Three People Who Comment!! (include Your Email Address)
I remember seeing a sculpture in an album that I was browsing through, and it was a man playing a piano from one view and a man playing the violin from another view. I was fascinated by the concept and decided to create one of my own.
I played around in Solidworks, a CAD package, and created my own "perspective" sculpture of my signature. I then produced it with a 3D printer.
For those interested, comment with your email address, and I will create a custom model of your name, which you can 3d print. If you don't have a 3D printer, I can upload it to shapeways.com where you can get it printed. I said I would do this for the first three, but if I have time, I will try to do this for as many of you as possible. Just comment :)
Step 1: Pick 2 or 3 Views or Images for Each Perpective.
First, you need to decide what you want each side of your model to look like. For my signature, I naturally selected my first name from one perspective and my last name for the other. For the UCLA one, I decide to project a third image from the top-down view of the model.
Step 2: Extrude First View
Then we extrude the first sketch. Make you extrude to the right depth. The length of your second sketch on the side view will determine how far you should extrude the first.
Step 3: Sketch Your Second Image Onto the Plane Perpendicular to the First
Now, you sketch your second view on the plane perpendicular to the first. This is when you check that your first extrusion is long enough to fit your second image. Your second image needs to fit within the solid area through which the first sketch was extruded.
Step 4: Extrude the Negative of the Second Sketch As a Cut and You're Done!
Now extrude the second image as a cut. Unlike the first sketch, where we boss extruded the image, we now extrude the negative of the image as a cut into the first extrusion.
There you have it! Now you have a solid model that can be 3D printed.
I still remember how mind-blown the first time I saw one of these. Now with easier access to 3D printing and some basic CAD skills, I can now create my own, personally customized, multidimensional models, and so can you!
Have fun and don't forget if you don't have CAD software and want your own sculpture, comment below and I will try to create some models for the first couple of comments.

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57 Comments
7 years ago
Hi man... this is very awesome. I've been trying to figure out how to make a wire perspective sculpture and so far I haven't been able to find much on the internet. Do you think you would be able to help me out with some pointers? I'm trying to make a wire style sculpture from iron rods and would like it to depict the face of the late Nelson Mandela from the one side the head of an elephant. Any help would be much appreciated. (marketing at bezalel dot co dot za)
Reply 7 years ago
Hey,
Sorry about the late reply, I've been extremely busy. I can definitely take a look. If you send me the images (Mandela's face and the elephant), I can see if I can get you started in the right direction with converting it to a wire sculpture.
Best,
Peter
11 years ago on Introduction
He's done my siignature, he's uploaded it to Shapeways, I've paid for it to be produced in my choice of size (5 inches along its longest dimension) and material (a smooth-surfaced black plastic which appears silvery in certain lights), and Shapeways tells me they'll ship it by March 19th — coincidentally, my birthday.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
It took a while, but here's what he made for me ...
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
My husband added to YouTube a video of me rotating it ... http://m.youtube.com/index/watch?v=7NAqZEcdQVw
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Will the video embed?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NAqZEcdQVw&feature=youtube_gdata_player
11 years ago on Introduction
Here"s a link to a video of the model made from my signature (or one of my signatures â for security's sake, this isn't the one I use on checks or on most correspondence) â http://db.tt/y9zvmVLA
11 years ago on Introduction
Still considering requests from the CAD-less teeming masses? I love this idea and have a lot of friends who would like it as well! Are you considering contracting? If you're still feeling generous, I would love one (lorikgator@gmail.com) of my own. If you're looking to profit from your ingenuity, let me know how much for a few of them and we can work it out!
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Hi,
I sent you an email a couple of days ago. Let me know if you got it.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
I did! Thank you for replying so quickly and I'm sorry my response has been so slow! Traveling for work means slow on personal e-mail... I'll respond shortly!!
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
No worries, I totally understand. Take your time, no hurry.
11 years ago on Introduction
I look forward to hearing again from the project designer.
11 years ago on Introduction
this is my attempt. it's not as cool looking as yours (im no good at cursive). It says Daniel for the front side view and Coyne for the right side view
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Looks good! I like the rendering
11 years ago on Step 4
hello.. i have some CAD software but i don't realy know how to use it verry well... then i was thinking if u can make a model... where one side says "Zaira" and the other something about love, or only LOVE and maybe in the top a heart or somthing a little romantic... i let the datails to youre imagination, to make it look something amazing an i don't really know how is this but i am thinkin about send the archive to this page http://www.sculpteo.com/ to make it manofactured.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Hi, same as above, I have a lot of work to do plus the huge number of requests I've gotten. I would encourage you to play around with the software and follow the steps I outlined in the instructable.
If my schedule frees up a little, I'll send you a message about it.
Thanks
11 years ago on Introduction
I'm adding new pictures of models I've done for some of the people who have commented. I also did one with Kobe Bryant's face and name.
11 years ago on Introduction
This is so cool!
I would love it if you could make me one, my email is qwerty_t@live.ca (Taryn).
I know theres already more than three, but it's worth a try :D
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Hi Taryn,
At the moment, I have a lot of work to do with the requests that I have already received, but when things lighten up and I have time, I'll shoot you an email about it. Thanks!
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Awesome!
Thanks for the reply.