In this article:

• How to download an avatar as a .STL file to 3D print

• Common issues when 3D printing avatars

You can download your avatar via the Makers Empire 3D app, or the Teacher Dashboard.

Download an avatar using the Makers Empire 3D app

1. Make sure you save your avatar as a "Look". An avatar look is a collection of parts, clothing and accessories.

2. Go to My Designs and filter by "Looks"

3. Click on the Look that you want to download. Click the Send button, then click the STL button. You can choose to download the STL to the device you're using or email it to yourself.

4. Open the STL using your 3D printer's slicing software and send it to print.

Download an avatar using the Teacher Dashboard

1. Go to Class Management > Classes and find the user whose avatar you wish to download.

2. Click on their profile picture to view their avatar design.

3. Click the Download button and choose Download STL.

4. Once the STL has generated, you can download it from your STL file downloads list.

5. Open the STL using your 3D printer's slicing software and send it to print.

Avatars look really cool, but can be very 'fiddly'. A couple of common issues we've found, and you can try to avoid:

​Issue

STLs look crazy. Parts are in the wrong place.

Cause

Very complex avatar parts, especially those which use the Cut (boolean) tool a lot sometimes don't generate well.

Fix

A. Use simpler parts for avatars that you want to print,

B. If you downloaded the STL via the Makers Empire 3D app, try downloading the STL again using the Teacher Dashboard method.
​
​Issue

Details are missing and/or parts break off when I clear the support structure.

Cause

Some avatar parts, especially handheld items like wands, are just really small when you print them.

Fix

A. Use simpler, thicker parts for avatars that you want to print,
B. Increase the size of your avatar in the slicing software.