It's now easier than ever to create your very own jewelry with our Pendant creator. In this tutorial, we'll walk you through the steps and a few tips on how to create new, customized jewelry.
For best results, use 2D designs that are a simple black and white drawing or picture. This can include fonts, shapes, patterns, "pop art" inspired original photos, etc. This tool allows you to add a background to ensure any disconnected parts stay put, has an option to add a necklace loop for chains (also called a bail), and more customization options for thickness and details.
Getting Started:
- Start with your original 2D design or use of our template designs to get started or simply click "Upload Design" to choose your own image
- When choosing an image, keep the following in mind:
- Simple, black and white images work best
- Black is thickened into your pendant (embossed), while white represents empty space
- For advanced users, grayscale is enabled. Learn more in our grayscale tutorial.
- The viewer measures the width of the image you upload, not the 3D model, so crop your image to the edges for most accurate sizing
(Note: Grey checkered background demonstrates size of photo, actual background should be white)
Once you've uploaded your image, you'll see the render on the right and customization tools on the left.
- Size: Size defines the largest dimension of your image. For example, default size is set to 30mm, use the slider to define smaller or larger, from 5mm to 100mm.
- Thickness: Thickness default size is 2mm (as defined by black, gray will be thinner if used), use the slider to define thin or thicker; rotate your design in the viewer for visualization.
- Add a backing: If you have multiple parts (remember if they aren’t connected in the image, they won’t be connected when they are printed) you can add a backing to connect them together.
- Flat or Mirrored backing: If you choose to add a backing, then you can either have a pendant with one side completely flat or you can put the backing in the middle of the thickness of the pendant, so your pendant is embossed on either side of the pendant. If you don’t have a backing, but your 2D design has varying thicknesses because you have shades of gray in your 2D design, choosing a mirrored backing will mirror the changes in thickness on both sides of your pendant. Choosing a flat backing will mean the changes in thickness will only be on one side of the pendant.
- Softness of detail: Softness of detail will smooth out the edges of your pendant; any sharp details will become more rounded with the use of the slider
- Adding a loop for a chain
- Right click on pedant to place loop. To move, right click again on the desired placement on your model
- Choose your type of loop, between "pie slice" and "half circle"
- To delete a loop, choose "None"
With your final design ready to go, click "Create My Pendant!" We'll generate your pendant, and the note at the top of the page will guide you to your next step.
You'll then find yourself on the Model Edit page. From here you can scroll to see a library of materials to choose from, along with printability and pricing information.