Layer By Layer

Layer 04 — Greetings, Programs.

This one’s a stylized Recognizer from TRON. No big design experiment here — I just wanted something fun for the office wall, and I’ve always loved TRON.

Kept it simple on purpose. No lighting, no extras… just a clean silhouette and strong contrast that makes it instantly recognizable if you know it.

Material & settings:
• Printer: Bambu Labs P1S
• Filament: Sunlu Matte PLA (Black, Red)
• Layer height: 0.20 mm
• Nozzle: 0.4 mm
• Walls: 2
• Infill: 15%
• Colors: 2 (printed using AMS)
• Orientation: Graphic facing up
• Plate: Textured PEI
• Supports: None required

The matte finish worked really well here. The black keeps it clean and the red edge lines give it that TRON feel without needing anything extra.

With a design this simple, it really comes down to clean edges and keeping everything consistent.

If you recognize it, you recognize it.

Greetings, Programs.

On to the next layer.

Layer 03 — Iron Maiden “Trooper” Coasters (AMS Multi-Color Test)

First multi-color print documented for Layer by Layer.

This print uses an Iron Maiden “Trooper” coaster design, inspired by the artwork associated with the Trooper beer branding and Eddie character.

Material & settings:
• Printer: Bambu Labs P1S
• Filament: PLA (Black, White, Red, Blue)
• Layer height: 0.12 mm
• Colors: 4 (printed using AMS)
• Orientation: Graphic facing up
• Plate: Textured PEI
• Supports: None required

The purpose of this print was to test my first four-color print using the AMS system. Multi-color prints can look intimidating at first due to filament changes and purge towers, but the AMS handled the color swaps smoothly throughout the print.

Color registration came out clean and the bold graphic worked well for a multi-color test. Printing the design facing up leaves the natural texture of the layer lines visible in the colored areas, but the overall contrast and detail still came through clearly.

Overall, the print completed successfully and served as a solid first step into AMS multi-color printing.

On to the next layer.

Layer 02 — John Hammond’s Cane

Starting a new Layer.

This project is a recreation of John Hammond’s cane from Jurassic Park, documented from the first print through final finishing and assembly. Instead of buying a high-end replica, the goal is to build it properly, understand the construction, and finish it intentionally.

In the film they say “we spared no expense.”
For this build, we’re doing things a little differently.

We spared some expense.

First updates will follow as the core segments come off the printer.

Layer 02 is printing.

New approach, new variables.
Full notes once it’s done.

Layer 01 — Heavy Icons Stormtrooper

First print documented for Layer by Layer.

This is the Heavy Icons “Inspired by Stormtrooper” model from MakerWorld:
🔗 https://makerworld.com/en/models/1755674-heavy-icons-inspired-by-stromtrooper?from=search -1867009

Material & settings:
• Filament: 3DHojor Light Khaki Matte PLA
• Layer height: 0.12 mm
• Variable layers: 0.08 mm from the shoulders upward (already set in the 3MF file)
• Supports: Auto supports enabled

The print finished successfully, but not perfectly. Supports failed under the left arm of the couch and later under the blaster and hand, which caused visible scarring where those areas printed without proper backing.

I’m keeping it as-is and documenting the lesson instead of reprinting. Auto supports handled most of the model well, but thin, forward-extending geometry clearly needs manual support attention next time.

On to the next layer.

Welcome to Layer by Layer!

Layer by Layer is a 3D printing log.

This page documents prints as they actually happen — successes, failures, reprints, fixes, and finishes. Some projects are complete display pieces, others are test fits or experiments. Not everything goes perfectly, and that’s intentional.

A quick note up front: I am not an expert.
This is only the third 3D printer I’ve ever owned, and I’m currently printing on a Bambu P1S. I’m still learning, still experimenting, and still figuring things out as I go.

The goal of this page isn’t to teach from a pedestal — it’s to document the journey. Different filaments, different techniques, different problems, and real-world results. What worked, what didn’t, and what I’ll change next time.

There’s no posting schedule here. New entries go up when there’s something worth sharing.

The first entry is live now: a Stormtrooper print that finished despite partial support failure, with notes on what worked and what I’ll change next time.

Thanks for following along — more layers to come.