MakerLab for Teachers: Creating Fast, Personalized 3D Prints for the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2

MakerLab on MakerWorld is one of the easiest ways for teachers and students to create custom 3D models without needing to learn full CAD software first.

Instead of starting from a blank screen in Tinkercad, students can use templates to make:

• Name tags

• Signs

• Keychains

• Lithophanes

• Cookie cutters

• Pencil toppers

• Vases

• Pixel art

• Relief art

• Simple classroom tools

MakerLab is especially helpful for beginning students because they can create something quickly, personalize it, and then move directly into slicing and printing.

MakerLab includes a growing collection of design tools, including text-based sign makers, vase generators, image-to-model tools, and simple customization tools. (makerworld.com)

Why Use MakerLab in the Classroom?

MakerLab works well for classrooms because:

• Students can make a successful project in one class period.

• There are fewer design steps than in full CAD software.

• Students can personalize projects with names, logos, or images.

• It helps students focus on creativity and problem solving before learning more advanced modeling.

• It is a great bridge between "I have an idea" and "I made something real."

For teachers who are new to 3D printing, MakerLab is often the fastest way to help students create a print that is both successful and meaningful.

Best MakerLab Tools for Teachers and Students

1. Make My Sign

This is one of the best places to start.

Students type text, choose a font, add a frame or shape, and instantly create a printable sign.

Great classroom ideas:

• Desk name plates

• Classroom signs

• Locker tags

• Door signs

• School spirit signs

• Labels for classroom bins

Tips for the Centauri Carbon 2:

• Keep signs under 5 mm thick so they print quickly.

• Use raised text instead of engraved text for easier reading.

• For multicolor prints, make the letters a separate color in the slicer.

• Large flat signs print best directly on the build plate with no supports.

2. Make My Vase

This tool creates decorative or functional vases with patterns and custom shapes.

While many students may not need a vase, this tool is excellent for teaching:

• Shape and geometry

• Surface patterns

• Height vs. stability

• Thin walls and print settings

For classroom use, students can create:

• Pencil cups

• Marker holders

• Small organizers

• Decorative containers

Tips for the Centauri Carbon 2:

• Use vase mode in the slicer if the design has one continuous wall.

• Keep walls at least 1.2 mm thick.

• Shorter, wider designs print more reliably than tall narrow ones.

3. Pixel Puzzle Maker

This tool converts pixel art or simple images into printable blocks or puzzle-style designs.

Great classroom uses:

• School logos

• Pixel art characters

• Student initials

• Small classroom mosaics

• Collaborative wall art

Students can work individually and then combine pieces into a larger class project.

This is one of the easiest ways to introduce multicolor printing because each section can be assigned a different filament color. MakerLab includes tools such as Pixel Puzzle Maker specifically for creating image-based personalized models. (blog.bambulab.com)

4. Mesh Graffiti and Paint the Model

These tools allow students to draw or apply colors directly onto a 3D model.

They are especially useful for:

• Personalizing existing models

• Adding logos or symbols

• Coloring part of a print without redesigning the whole object

• Creating sports logos, mascots, or classroom themes

For example:

• Add a student's name to a keychain

• Add school colors to a mascot

• Paint sections of a model different colors before exporting

If your class is using the Centauri Carbon 2 with multiple filament capability, these tools make it much easier to create multicolor prints.

5. Image to Relief / 3D Relief Sculpture

MakerLab can turn an image or existing 3D model into a relief sculpture or wall art piece.

This is perfect for:

• School mascots

• Student artwork

• Historical figures

• Maps

• Science diagrams

• Family or pet photos

The relief tool can import STL or OBJ files and create a low-relief version suitable for printing. (blog.bambulab.com)

Tips:

• Use high-contrast images for the best results.

• Keep the relief shallow, around 2-4 mm deep.

• Print flat on the build plate.

6. Lightbox Maker

One of the most exciting MakerLab tools for classrooms is the Lightbox Maker.

A lightbox is a thin printed panel with an image, words, or design that lights up when placed in front of an LED light source.

Students can create:

• School mascots

• Classroom signs

• Inspirational quotes

• Science diagrams

• Holiday decorations

• Team logos

• Student artwork turned into illuminated wall art

Lightboxes are especially engaging because they combine:

• Graphic design

• 3D printing

• Multicolor printing

• Basic electronics or LED lighting

For example, students could design:

• A classroom welcome sign

• A school logo with school colors

• A reading corner sign

• A custom sports team lightbox

Tips for creating lightboxes in MakerLab:

• Use bold shapes and thick text.

• Keep the image simple with strong contrast.

• Black or dark filament blocks light, while white or translucent filament allows light through.

• Thin sections around 0.8-1.2 mm glow best.

• Thicker sections appear darker.

For the best results on the Centauri Carbon 2:

• Print the front image face-down on the build plate for the smoothest finish.

• Use white PLA for the light-passing layer.

• Use black PLA for the frame and darker areas.

• If using multicolor printing, assign the frame and image details to different filaments in entity["software","ElegooSlicer"].

• Keep the overall design fairly flat so it prints without supports.

Many teachers find lightboxes are a great advanced follow-up project because students can combine text, images, color changes, and even simple LEDs into one finished piece.

Best Beginner Projects Using MakerLab

If teachers are looking for easy first projects, start with:

1. Personalized keychain

2. Desk name plate

3. Classroom bin label

4. Pencil holder

5. School mascot sign

6. Pixel art tile

7. Custom bookmark

These print quickly, use little filament, and help students experience success right away.

Exporting MakerLab Files for the Centauri Carbon 2

After creating a model in MakerLab:

1. Click Download or Export.

2. Save the file as an STL if it is one color.

3. Save the file as an OBJ or 3MF if the model contains multiple colors.

4. Open the file in entity["software","ElegooSlicer"].

5. Choose the profile for the entity["product","Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2"].

6. Resize or rotate if needed.

7. Slice and preview before printing.

OBJ and 3MF files keep the color information, while STL files do not.

That means if students create a sign with red letters and a white background in MakerLab, they should export as OBJ or 3MF so those colors stay with the file.

Using MakerLab Designs with Multicolor Printing on the CC2

The Centauri Carbon 2 works especially well with MakerLab because many MakerLab projects use separate color regions.

When importing an OBJ or 3MF into entity["software","ElegooSlicer"]:

• Each color usually appears as a separate part.

• Assign each section to a filament slot.

• Use high-contrast colors so details stand out.

• Keep small color areas large enough to print cleanly.

Good beginner color combinations:

• Black and white

• Blue and yellow

• Red and white

• School colors

For best results:

• Avoid tiny color changes smaller than 1-2 mm.

• Place multicolor details on the top surface whenever possible.

• Flat signs and keychains are usually the easiest multicolor projects.

Best Practices for the Centauri Carbon 2

Because the Centauri Carbon 2 has a fairly large build plate, it can be tempting to make very large projects.

For classroom success:

• Start small.

• Keep first prints under 2 hours.

• Fit several student projects on one build plate when possible.

• Use 0.2 mm layer height for most projects.

• Print with PLA for the easiest and most reliable results.

• Encourage students to make Version 1 first, then improve it.

A classroom full of successful small prints is usually better than one giant project that takes all day.

Classroom Challenge Ideas

• Design a desk name plate with two colors.

• Create a classroom sign using school colors.

• Build a pencil cup with a custom pattern.

• Turn a student drawing into a relief sculpture.

• Make a class pixel-art mural where each student designs one square.

• Create a custom keychain for a teacher or staff member.

The best MakerLab projects are simple, personal, and quick enough that students can see the full design-to-print process in a short amount of time.