STL Branding Tool

Carve text into STL 3D models using Blender’s boolean operations engine.

/Applications/Blender.app/Contents/MacOS/Blender --background --python stl_brander_blender.py -- Stanford_Bunny.stl Stanford_Bunny_sign.stl "Stanford" 2 10

Output of command:

/Applications/Blender.app/Contents/MacOS/Blender --background --python stl_brander_blender.py -- Stanford_Bunny.stl Stanford_Bunny_sign.stl "Stanford" 2 10

Features

• Blender-Powered: Uses Blender’s FAST boolean solver for reliable mesh operations
• Automatic Text Mirroring: Text is mirrored for correct chirality when carved on bottom surface
• Proper Scaling: Text automatically scales to 20% of available surface area
• High-Quality Carving: Boolean difference operation creates clean carved text
• Mesh Preservation: Maintains original mesh integrity without destruction

Requirements

• Blender (installed at /Applications/Blender.app/Contents/MacOS/Blender on macOS)
• Get it at: https://www.blender.org/download/

Usage

Single File

/Applications/Blender.app/Contents/MacOS/Blender --background --python stl_brander_blender.py -- input.stl output.stl "BRAND TEXT" [depth] [font_size]

Parameters: - input.stl: Input STL file path - output.stl: Output STL file path
- text: Text to carve (carved on bottom surface) - depth: Carve depth in mm (default: 1.0) - font_size: Font size (default: 15)

Examples

# Basic usage
/Applications/Blender.app/Contents/MacOS/Blender --background --python stl_brander_blender.py -- model.stl branded.stl "MyBrand"

# With specific depth
/Applications/Blender.app/Contents/MacOS/Blender --background --python stl_brander_blender.py -- model.stl branded.stl "MyBrand" 2.0

# With specific depth and font size
/Applications/Blender.app/Contents/MacOS/Blender --background --python stl_brander_blender.py -- model.stl branded.stl "MyBrand" 2.0 12

Technical Details

Text Processing

• Text is created using Blender’s text object system
• Converted to mesh geometry for boolean operations
• Automatically centered and scaled to fit surface
• Character spacing optimized for readability

Boolean Operations

• Uses Blender’s FAST boolean solver
• DIFFERENCE operation carves text into model
• Preserves mesh integrity and vertex count
• Handles complex geometries reliably

Positioning

• Text positioned on bottom surface of model
• X-axis mirroring ensures correct chirality
• Penetrates into model for clean carving
• Automatic bounds detection and centering

Files

• stl_brander_blender.py - Blender-based carving implementation
• stl_brander.py - Legacy Trimesh implementation (deprecated)

Dependencies

• Blender 3.0 or higher with Python API

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.