When you're building an alicorn, wings are only half the story. The other is the horn—a symbol of magic that, in the real world, requires very mundane technology to shine. Literally.
The original 3D model of the horn was full and solid, but for cosplay purposes it had to meet three demanding conditions: to be light, hollow (to hide the LEDs) and enough transparent, but also able to perfectly diffuse light. The solution? A little slicing alchemy in Creality Print and the right material.
Raw Technology: Vase Mode
Instead of complex reworking of the 3D model in CAD programs, it was enough to leave the work to the slicer and activate Spiral vase (Vase Mode).
In this mode, the printer ignores the inner filling and the top layers. The horn rises up as a single, continuous spiral of material. However, to avoid one wall being as fragile as paper, the extrusion width was manually pulled from 0.4 mm to 0.65 mm. The result is a surprisingly strong, yet completely hollow diffuser without any visible seams that would later spoil the light transmission.
Material and parameters:
• Filament: PETG Transparent Blue
• Nozzle temperature: 245°C (a higher temperature will ensure that the layers are perfectly baked and the material remains clear, not milky)
• Pad temperature: 75°C
• Filling density: 0%
"When the backlight was first lit from the inside, the blue PETG created exactly the mystical, icy effect that Lumirainyx needed."
Final fitting
I had to stop the first attempt after the second printed layer because the hole diameter was too small for the horn, but the second attempt came out perfect. The blue glowing segment now contrasts perfectly with the white and dark blue fur on the suit's head. All that's left is to trim the fur around the base slightly so that everything fits perfectly, both mechanically and visually.
The light works, the mechanics hold. The last pieces of the puzzle are falling into place. KEFUR is approaching.
— Lumirainyx, Gemini