The Story

A few months ago, my mom discovered I could create 3D models. She wasted no time bragging to her friends, which led to a very special request from her close friend, Terri.

Terri recently lost a cousin and wanted a custom statuette based on an angel carving from the tombstone. My mom asked if I could make it as a gift for her. I was hesitant because memorial pieces are so emotional, but I wanted to help her preserve that memory.

Original photo I received from my mom

The Workflow

I only had one photo of the front of the headstone to work with, so I had to get creative with my process:

1. Image Isolation: I used Gemini to isolate the angel carving and remove the background text, which gave the AI a clear subject to focus on.
2. AI Generation: I uploaded that single, one-sided photo into Meshy AI. Even though I did not have views of the back or sides, the Image to 3D feature automatically assumed and filled in the rest of the angel to create a complete model.
3. Review: To verify the model before printing, I used the auto-rotate feature in the web app. I captured the movement with the Microsoft Windows Record feature and texted the clip to my mom, who loved it immediately.
4. The Print: I printed the model on my new Heygears RS Turbo using their PAP10 resin, which is an ABS-like material. After printing, I washed and cured the piece, giving it just a little bit of extra time in the curing station to ensure it reached its full strength. I finished it by hand-sanding for a smooth, stone-like feel.

Angel model auto-rotating

The Result

Terri was so moved by the gift that she has already requested a second one for her cousin’s husband, featuring the same angel but with updated text on the base.

It is easy to get lost in the technical side of this hobby, but seeing how much this meant to her was a great reminder of why we create. These tools saved me so much time on such a sentimental piece.

Front of model

Right-side of model

Left of model

Back of second model

Front of second model

>Quick Tip: If your reference photo has a busy background or text, use an AI tool to isolate just the object you want first. This gives the 3D generator a much cleaner starting point and prevents it from trying to turn background clutter into 3D geometry.

The Story

A few months ago, my mom discovered I could create 3D models. She wasted no time bragging to her friends, which led to a very special request from her close friend, Terri.

Terri recently lost a cousin and wanted a custom statuette based on an angel carving from the tombstone. My mom asked if I could make it as a gift for her. I was hesitant because memorial pieces are so emotional, but I wanted to help her preserve that memory.

Original photo I received from my mom

The Workflow

I only had one photo of the front of the headstone to work with, so I had to get creative with my process:

1. Image Isolation: I used Gemini to isolate the angel carving and remove the background text, which gave the AI a clear subject to focus on.
2. AI Generation: I uploaded that single, one-sided photo into Meshy AI. Even though I did not have views of the back or sides, the Image to 3D feature automatically assumed and filled in the rest of the angel to create a complete model.
3. Review: To verify the model before printing, I used the auto-rotate feature in the web app. I captured the movement with the Microsoft Windows Record feature and texted the clip to my mom, who loved it immediately.
4. The Print: I printed the model on my new Heygears RS Turbo using their PAP10 resin, which is an ABS-like material. After printing, I washed and cured the piece, giving it just a little bit of extra time in the curing station to ensure it reached its full strength. I finished it by hand-sanding for a smooth, stone-like feel.

Angel model auto-rotating

The Result

Terri was so moved by the gift that she has already requested a second one for her cousin’s husband, featuring the same angel but with updated text on the base.

It is easy to get lost in the technical side of this hobby, but seeing how much this meant to her was a great reminder of why we create. These tools saved me so much time on such a sentimental piece.

Front of model

Right-side of model

Left of model

Back of second model

Front of second model

>Quick Tip: If your reference photo has a busy background or text, use an AI tool to isolate just the object you want first. This gives the 3D generator a much cleaner starting point and prevents it from trying to turn background clutter into 3D geometry.

Just thought I'd share this here since I saw other related posts about silicone molds. My whole project started because I wanted to make something cool for my gamer/streamer friends. Everyone’s got their own vibe on Twitch and Discord, like different avatar colors, different aesthetics, so I made a bunch of dragon amulet variations in Meshy using the color schemes from their pfps. Basically: “What if your online identity became a tiny fantasy relic you can actually hold?”  

Once I had the designs, I printed a clean master so I could cast multiples. I used a simple 1:1 silicone putty for the first mold since this was literally my first time doing any mold making. It cures fast and doesn’t fight you, which is exactly what I needed for a first attempt.  

https://preview.redd.it/09vuiq2wgzyg1.png?width=3055&format=png&auto=webp&s=24b7fe03639ca8123711a215aeb5e481296b3668

Now that I’ve got the basic mold working, I’m going to experiment with a larger clear liquid silicone kit next to get more flexibility like the pourable kind that captures sharper detail and because the putty hardens like an eraser. I also picked up a water‑based mold‑release spray to see how much easier it makes demolding when I start producing a whole hoard of these.  

https://preview.redd.it/h1dm4q2wgzyg1.png?width=3240&format=png&auto=webp&s=d70dd98463e965188b3c408532a338914f1d30fd

Here’s the full workflow with everything integrated:  

• Concept > Sculpt: created multiple dragon amulet variants using Meshy based on my friends’ Twitch + Discord avatar colors  
• Cleanup: sharpened details, flattened the back, prepped the model for resin printing  
• 3D Print: resin print, minimal supports, post‑cure, light sanding  
• Mold Making (First‑Timer Edition):  
• Weighted and mixed the simple 1:1 silicone putty  
• Kneaded it until the color was even  
• Pressed putty onto the amulet on a silicone mat and shaped the edges  
• Let it cure, it’s fast (like about 20 minutes)  
• Next Experiments:  
• Trying a larger clear liquid silicone kit for cleaner detail and more flexibility  
• Testing a water‑based mold‑release spray for easier demolding  
• Casting: first pull came out clean, so now I’m testing different resins, pigments, and metallic powders to see which ones look the most like “rare loot drop” energy

  

https://preview.redd.it/g9ckuk2wgzyg1.png?width=3963&format=png&auto=webp&s=bca119af13477b54559142baf7162ca242955e1f

If you’re also new to mold making, biggest tip: don’t rush the curing and don’t panic if the putty starts setting, it’s way more forgiving than it looks.  

Here are a couple of pics. Happy to answer questions or share settings if anyone wants to make their own little fantasy trinkets. 

 

 

This whole project started because I wanted to make something cool for my gamer/streamer friends. Everyone’s got their own vibe on Twitch and Discord, like different avatar colors, different aesthetics, so I made a bunch of dragon amulet variations in Meshy using the color schemes from their pfps. Basically: “What if your online identity became a tiny fantasy relic you can actually hold?” 

Once I had the designs, I printed a clean master so I could cast multiples. I used a simple 1:1 silicone putty for the first mold since this was literally my first time doing any mold making. It cures fast and doesn’t fight you, which is exactly what I needed for a first attempt. 

Hot off the build plate!

Now that I’ve got the basic mold working, I’m going to experiment with a larger clear liquid silicone kit next to get more flexibility like the pourable kind that captures sharper detail and because the putty hardens like an eraser. I also picked up a water‑based mold‑release spray to see how much easier it makes demolding when I start producing a whole hoard of these. 

Removed the supports

Came out pretty well

Here’s the full workflow with everything integrated: 

• Concept > Sculpt: created multiple dragon amulet variants using Meshy based on my friends’ Twitch + Discord avatar colors 
• Cleanup: sharpened details, flattened the back, prepped the model for resin printing 
• 3D Print: resin print, minimal supports, post‑cure, light sanding 
• Mold Making (First‑Timer Edition): 
• Weighted and mixed the simple 1:1 silicone putty 
• Kneaded it until the color was even 
• Pressed putty onto the amulet on a silicone mat and shaped the edges 
• Let it cure, it’s fast (like about 20 minutes) 
• Next Experiments: 
• Trying a larger clear liquid silicone kit for cleaner detail and more flexibility 
• Testing a water‑based mold‑release spray for easier demolding 
• Casting: first pull came out clean, so now I’m testing different resins, pigments, and metallic powders to see which ones look the most like “rare loot drop” energy

 

The silicone putty next to the print

The detail came out pretty well!

If you’re also new to mold making, biggest tip: don’t rush the curing and don’t panic if the putty starts setting, it’s way more forgiving than it looks. 

Here are a couple of pics. Happy to answer questions or share settings if anyone wants to make their own little fantasy trinkets.