3D model selection, design and printing by people who are blind or have low vision

Most 3D printing software and equipment has been designed without accessibility in mind. However, there are some options for people who are blind or have low vision and who want to print or create their own 3D models.

Selecting a 3D model

When selecting existing models to print, databases of 3D models specifically for touch readers such as BTactile are the best place to search. Another option is to use communities like Thingiverse and determine suitability of the model by reading the comments from the maker and people who have printed the model.

Refer to Where to find 3D printing designs for further sources.

3D design by people with low vision

The South Australia School for Vision Impaired (SASVI) have successfully run a 3D design program with low vision students using Makers Empire. Text-to-speech has now been incorporated into the app. It also includes a limited braille font.

3D design by people who are blind

OpenSCAD is a free open source online software for creating 3D designs. It is accessible because it is script-based, however this also means that some basic programming knowledge is required for its use. NVDA is the best screen reading software to use with OpenSCAD.

Screen grab with code text on left and 3D shapes forming a snowman on the right

OpenSCAD

ShapeShift is a dynamic pin display that can be paired with OpenSCAD to preview models as they are being created, allowing blind users to check and modify their designs before printing. The specifications and instructions to make your own ShapeShift are available at https://github.com/ShapeLab/shapeShift. Further, a VSC extension was used to modify OpenSCAD to overcome some of its accessibility issues. This is available from https://github.com/alexasiu/shapeCAD-Extension.

OpenJSCAD is essentially the same as OpenSCAD but it used JavaScript programming syntax. Furthermore, OpenJSCAD can be used online. Researchers at the University of Marburg have developed open source software which is paired with OpenJSCAD and a Falcon Haptic Device to provide audio and haptic feedback for blind 3D modelers. Software downloads and instructions are provided at https://www.uni-marburg.de/en/fb12/research-groups/grafikmultimedia/research/haptic_mesh_inspection.

Another option is to convert from drawings or models created by a blind person into a 3D computer model that can be 3D printed at any size and with durable materials.
At the Royal Dutch Visio school, students draw the object from four sides and a sighted person converts this to a 3D model by hand.
Software such as www.df3d.com/extrude can be used to convert any greyscale picture to 3D by extruding darker areas at a higher point.
3D scanning is a more complex process. Begin with a physical sculpture created by the blind person using modelling clay, blocks or similar. Smartphone apps are available to take a series of images of the sculpture from all angles. This is best done in even light, keeping the camera an equal distance from the object and making sure that the whole object fits in the frame. Note that the resultant 3D file may need further editing before it is able to be 3D printed.

Using a 3D printer

Most 3D printers use an LCD display for operation, however some allow remote printing, making them more accessible for blind users.

Simplify3d (paid) or Slic3r (free) recommended for preparing the model for printing as more functions are accessible using a screen reader, including orienting the 3D model on the print bed.

Octoprint is an Open Source web interface that can be used with most 3D printers. It can be used as a slicer; to monitor, start, pause and stop prints; and to control other printer functions such as temperature, changing filaments, levelling the bed, etc.

Prusa 3D printers have a sound assist mode that plays a beep when you land on an item and when you reach the top/bottom of a menu as you turn a physical click knob. It is possible to memorize the menu items (or list them beside the printer) and then count to select the desired item using the physical click knob.

>Prints in progress can be supervised non-visually by sound or touch:

  • Loose filament tends to move around on the plate, making a high-pitched ticking sound;
  • Raised corners due to adhesion problems cause a scraping sound when the nozzle passes over that area;
  • Depending on your printer, you may be able to hear the the filament spool moving to confirm that there is no blockage;
  • Touch the filament as it enters the feed tube to check that it is moving;
  • During the FDM printing process it is best not to touch the printing area as the nozzle is extremely hot, the printing head can be easily moved and oils on the skin can interfere with adhesion. It is safe to pause the print and touch the partially completed model. If well familiarised with the printer, adults may check a print in progress by using one hand to track where the print head is working and the other hand to gently touch a part of the model that is not currently being printed.

Last updated: June 12, 2022 at 9:42 am