This tool converts 2-bit Game Boy images into STL files designed for 3D printing with filament swapping (or AMS). You can have your favorite Game Boy Camera photos as physical objects!
The prints feel nice and the layered colors give the them a really interesting effect when viewed up close. From further away the image becomes clearer which is something I love about how our brains interpret Game Boy Camera photos.
Each of the 4 grayscale levels in a Game Boy Camera Photo (or any GB screenshot) gets mapped to a different height so you can add color change commands in your slicer. PrusaSlicer does a good job at detecting that these STLs are set up this way and can automatically add the color swaps.
The tool has all the Game Boy Camera photo frames built in so you can reframe your photo right here. Japan region frames included too!
Print Settings
- 0.2mm layer height.
- 100% infill for best feel.
- The base rectangle will print 1mm thick by default or whatever your select in the tool.
- Then each of the other 3 colors will print at the thickness selected. The 0.6mm default seems good (3 printed layers per color level).
- Add color change commands (so at layer 6, 9, and 12 if using the default settings)
Filaments (with kickback links)
I’ve been using this color combo and I think it looks nice:
How to get photos off the Game Boy in the first place
The “Camera WIFI Printer for Gameboy” emulates an actual printer and gives you PNGs over WiFi.
For more flexibility I’ve been using the GB Interceptor, which turns your GB into a USB webcam. Using a pair of ffmpeg commands makes it easy to capture any screen.
# (Mac OS) Get the list of capture devices
ffmpeg -f avfoundation -list_devices true -i ""
# Use the device number in -i "?"
ffmpeg -video_size 1280x1152 -framerate 60 -f avfoundation -i "0" -frames:v 1 snapshot.png
Also, I don’t have one but I imagine the Analogue Pocket has a screen capture feature.