Brick with Text (OpenSCAD)

Introduction

A script to be used with OpenSCAD, to create a brick with your own text. The “Customizer” of OpenSCAD can be used. The script has a few extra options, such as a rough surface and it can make a brick with two initials and a heart in the middle.

Frog

When using the script, you will see the term “Frog”. The indentation of a brick is called a “Frog”.

OpenSCAD

OpenSCAD is free software: https://openscad.org/

The script does not work with the 2021 version of OpenSCAD. Use at least a 2024 version with optimizations turned on. 

The file “Brick with Text.zip” contains the script and a font and a script to generate the pre-made stl files. Be sure to unpack/unzip the files before using them.

I found that the best font for this design is the Rubik-Light font. It has the Open Font License and it is included in the zip file.
References: https://fonts.google.com/specimen/Rubik and https://github.com/googlefonts/Rubik.

OpenSCAD can not give a structure to a surface, but I tried to give the brick a rough surface anyway. As a result, the script is slow.

The text can be embossed or debossed (imprinted). When the indentation or “Frog” is turned on then the text will be embossed. An optional heart can be placed in the middle.

Design ideas:

• If your house number is not clearly visible, then a brick with your house number is a nice decoration.
• With the heart in the middle, two initials can be put on the left and right side. Put a space in the text to split the text into two parts.

Pre-made stl files

A few files have been made with the script and are included. Both with and without the “Frog” (indentation). The texts on the pre-made bricks are:

• "Bricked" (a funny text, it has different meanings).
• "Build" and "Make" (a constructive text).
• "Another" (a reference to the song “The Wall” by Pink Floyd).
• "Happy" and "Birthday" (as a gift to someones birthday).

Post-processing the 3D model

This design will look better with post-processing. For example with a voxel remesh, a displacement map, or making more irregularities with sculpting. Blender can do all of that.

Printing

The slicer might take a long time to slice the rough surface. When the Prusa slicer is used, right-click on the model and select “Simplify model” to speed up the slicing. By adding a fuzzy surface in the slicer, the layer lines become less visible. 

The brick can be printed flat with a raft under it, but it can also be printed at a 45 degree angle, resting on a bottom edge.

Painting the brick for a realistic look will make it look even better.

License

The script and the generated pre-made stl files have the license CC0 (Public Domain). You many use it in any way you like. You may sell 3D printed printed bricks made with this script.