3D Print Converter

Convert CAD files directly to G-code and stream to your 3D printer via WiFi.

Overview

3D Print Converter is an open-source solution that bridges the gap between CAD design and 3D printing. Upload DWG, DXF, PDF, or SVG files through a web interface, and the system automatically converts them to G-code and streams directly to your 3D printer.

Key Features

• Web-Based Interface - Access via http://3dconverter.local from any device
• Multiple Input Formats - DWG, DGN, DXF, PDF, SVG, DAT
• Multiple Output Formats - STL, OBJ, STEP, G-code, 3MF
• Direct Printer Control - Stream G-code via UART with real-time progress
• Standalone Operation - ESP32 controller with TFT display
• Low Cost - ~$12 BOM for the controller hardware

Architecture

┌─────────────────┐     ┌─────────────────┐     ┌─────────────────┐
│   Web Browser   │────▶│  ESP32-S3       │────▶│   3D Printer    │
│   (Any Device)  │     │  Controller     │     │   (UART)        │
└─────────────────┘     └────────┬────────┘     └─────────────────┘
                                 │
                                 ▼
                        ┌─────────────────┐
                        │  Python Server  │
                        │  (Conversion)   │
                        └─────────────────┘

Components

Component	Description
Firmware	ESP32-S3 Arduino code with web server, SD card, TFT display
Server	Python FastAPI conversion engine
Portable App	Standalone Windows application
Enclosure	3D printable case (OpenSCAD + STL)

Quick Start

1. Hardware Setup

Required Components:

• ESP32-S3-WROOM-1 module
• 2.4" TFT ILI9341 or 1.3" ST7789 display
• MicroSD card slot
• 5V power supply

Wiring:

Function	GPIO
TFT CS	5
TFT DC	2
TFT RST	4
SD CS	12
Printer TX	17
Printer RX	16

2. Flash Firmware

# Install PlatformIO
pip install platformio

# Build and upload
cd 3d-print-converter/firmware
pio run -t upload

3. Run Conversion Server

# Install dependencies
cd 3d-print-converter/software
pip install -r requirements.txt

# Start server
python server.py --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000

4. Connect and Print

1. Connect to ESP32 WiFi AP (3DConverter) or configure your network
2. Open http://3dconverter.local in your browser
3. Upload a CAD file
4. Click Convert → Print

Conversion Pipeline

Input File (DWG/PDF/DXF/SVG)
    │
    ▼
┌───────────────────────────────┐
│  Stage 1: Format Detection    │
└───────────────────────────────┘
    │
    ▼
┌───────────────────────────────┐
│  Stage 2: DXF Normalization   │
│  - ODA Converter (DWG/DGN)    │
│  - Inkscape (PDF→SVG→DXF)     │
│  - ezdxf (native DXF)         │
└───────────────────────────────┘
    │
    ▼
┌───────────────────────────────┐
│  Stage 3: 2D→3D Conversion    │
│  - Profile extrusion          │
│  - Polygon generation         │
└───────────────────────────────┘
    │
    ▼
┌───────────────────────────────┐
│  Stage 4: Mesh Processing     │
│  - Repair & validation        │
│  - Scale & center             │
└───────────────────────────────┘
    │
    ▼
┌───────────────────────────────┐
│  Stage 5: G-code Generation   │
│  - PrusaSlicer (primary)      │
│  - Built-in slicer (fallback) │
└───────────────────────────────┘
    │
    ▼
Output (G-code) → Printer

API Reference

Endpoints

Method	Endpoint	Description
GET	/status	System health and tool availability
POST	/api/convert	Synchronous conversion (streaming response)
POST	/api/convert/async	Async conversion (returns job ID)
GET	/api/jobs/{id}	Check job status
GET	/api/jobs/{id}/download	Download converted file
GET	/api/formats	List supported formats

Example Request

curl -X POST http://localhost:8000/api/convert \
  -F "file=@drawing.dxf" \
  -F "output_format=gcode" \
  -F "extrusion_height=10" \
  -F "layer_height=0.2"

Configuration

Conversion Settings

Parameter	Default	Description
extrusion_height	10.0 mm	Height for 2D→3D extrusion
scale_factor	1.0	Model scaling
layer_height	0.2 mm	Slicer layer height
nozzle_diameter	0.4 mm	Printer nozzle size
print_speed	50 mm/s	Print movement speed
infill_percentage	20%	Interior fill density
bed_size	220x220x250	Print volume (mm)

External Tools

For full format support, install these optional tools:

Tool	Purpose	Required For
ODA File Converter	DWG/DGN support	.dwg, .dgn files
Inkscape	PDF conversion	.pdf files
FreeCAD	STEP export	.step output
PrusaSlicer	G-code generation	Better slicing quality

Hardware BOM

Part	Quantity	Est. Cost
ESP32-S3-WROOM-1	1	$4.00
2.4" TFT ILI9341	1	$4.00
MicroSD Module	1	$1.00
AMS1117 3.3V Regulator	1	$0.50
USB-C Connector	1	$0.50
PCB + Misc	1	$2.50
Total		~$12.50

Project Structure

3d-print-converter/
├── firmware/
│   ├── src/main.cpp          # ESP32 firmware (1300+ lines)
│   └── platformio.ini        # Build configuration
│
├── software/
│   ├── converter_engine.py   # Conversion pipeline
│   ├── server.py             # FastAPI REST server
│   └── requirements.txt      # Python dependencies
│
├── enclosure/
│   ├── *.scad                # OpenSCAD source files
│   └── stl/                  # Ready-to-print STL files
│
├── portable-app/             # Standalone Windows app
│
└── build-exe/                # Windows executable
    └── dist/3D-Print-Converter.exe

Troubleshooting

ESP32 not connecting to WiFi

• Check credentials in web config portal
• Try AP mode: connect to 3DConverter network, access 192.168.4.1

Conversion fails

• Verify Python server is running on port 8000
• Check server logs for missing tools (ODA, Inkscape)
• Ensure input file is valid (try opening in original CAD software)

Printer not responding

• Verify UART wiring (TX→RX, RX→TX)
• Check baud rate matches printer (default: 115200)
• Ensure printer firmware supports standard G-code (Marlin compatible)

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit issues and pull requests.

1. Fork the repository
2. Create your feature branch (git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature)
3. Commit your changes (git commit -m 'Add amazing feature')
4. Push to the branch (git push origin feature/amazing-feature)
5. Open a Pull Request

License

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

Acknowledgments

• ezdxf - DXF file handling
• trimesh - 3D mesh processing
• PrusaSlicer - G-code generation
• TFT_eSPI - ESP32 display driver

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Made with ⚙️ by murbati91