3D printers open up total new vistas of creativity for photographers. Whether or not you’re into cosplay and creating costumes and props to your portraits or seeking to obtain authentic photographs utilizing intricate rigging and mounting setups which might be totally bespoke to your use case, the flexibility to take a spool of plastic fiber and switch it into a fancy and sturdy half utilizing an equipment that may match on a benchtop is, in my view, probably the most thrilling developments within the at-home maker motion in years. Personally, I’ve absolutely embraced the flexibility to unravel issues and experiment with what is feasible utilizing this expertise, and as a frequent person of GoPro cameras, whether or not mounted on the strap of my backpack, my helmet whereas using my filth bike, or the highest of one among my FPV drones, I’ve discovered an extremely fertile panorama within the ecosystem of equipment provided on websites like Printables and Thingiverse. I’ve taken the freedom of cherry-picking a few of my favourite GoPro equipment you can make proper now, to ensure you can seize and share your recollections proper. Whereas this record gained’t be in any specific order, and definitely gained’t embrace a model of each accent you may consider, I hope it serves as supply of inspiration for both attempting to find the right gizmo to your wants, and even modeling and making it your self. I’m additionally going to be specializing in fashions that don’t require any instruments or components to assemble you can’t discover at a neighborhood ironmongery shop. There are some superior designs on the market, like sliders that use Arduino-controlled stepper motors (very, very cool), however these are actually extra of a venture in and of themselves fairly than a general-purpose accent. With that mentioned, let’s soar in. Circumstances and Safety Arguably a very powerful class. GoPros are designed to go the place different cameras can’t go, and as such, they encounter risks that different cameras don’t. Contemplating we’re coping with a $300-$400 piece of kit, you actually ought to kind out some technique of safety. Clearly, you’re most likely going to need to print these out of a versatile materials like TPU, as this may take up shock and shrug off abrasion the perfect of the generally obtainable supplies. Gopro9 case by Lau_ris | Obtain free STL mannequin | Printables.com Don’t let the identify idiot you. This full case, created by Printables person @Lau_ris_42473, is a wonderful possibility for the Hero 9 by Hero 12, as they’re precisely the identical so far as exterior dimensions go. It’s designed as a slip-in case that makes use of the lens cowl of the digital camera itself to safe it whereas surrounded by a really thick bumper. It nonetheless provides entry to each the entrance and rear screens, although the battery door is blocked if you insert the digital camera. The value you pay for cover, I suppose.
GoPro Hero 8 Black Cowl by Carloski | Obtain free STL mannequin | Printables.com When you’re nonetheless rocking the Hero 8, this case by Printables person @Carloski_302340 is a superb choose. It’s a full wraparound design, the place the digital camera is inserted from the rear. It does block entry to the entrance display screen, however that is much less of a problem on the older fashions because the info proven there’s not as instantly helpful as on the Hero 9 and up. When you intend to mount the digital camera utilizing a buckle, you will have to both modify the file to depart a gap for the mounting tabs or minimize some small slits to slide them by. GoPro 10 floating case by fermit | Obtain free STL mannequin | Printables.com For these of us of a extra aquatic disposition, right here’s a neat possibility from person @fermit_369703 that mixes affect safety and floatation in a single, once more for the Hero 9 and up. For this one, you’re completely going to need to check it in a bucket of water prior to make use of to make sure it’s watertight. TPU is thought for its glorious layer adhesion, however a few minutes price of testing is price not dropping your good digital camera. Basic-Objective Mounts Top-of-the-line issues about GoPro is their standardization of the buckle mounting system, to the purpose that even competing manufacturers like Insta360 now use it. Typically, although, GoPro itself leaves conspicuous holes in its accent lineup. Let’s see what we are able to discover. GoPro Hero 11 Vertical Mount by JWP763 | Obtain free STL mannequin | Printables.com This can be a easy wraparound shell from @JWP763_164704 to will let you mount your GoPro 9-12 vertically on a normal buckle mount. One thing like that is actually helpful to have as a result of a lot of the GoPro fashions have limitations on their recording decision or body price when recording within the 4:3 or 8:7 modes which might be meant for extra versatile framing in submit. I’d print this both in PETG for walkaround use, or a stiffer TPU in case you’re meaning to rise up to one thing extra rigorous and will use a bit of additional safety from bumps.
GoPro Vertical Mount by DStehlik | Obtain free STL mannequin | Printables.com When you’d like to mix vertical mounting with one of many circumstances I confirmed earlier, you may as an alternative print one thing like this. @DStehlik_102460 has designed a really sturdy right-angle arm that does precisely what it says on the tin. PETG is really helpful, and also you’ll want a heat-set threaded insert or nut to mate with the threads on the GoPro thumbscrew. Gopro Tripod by winter0is0coming | Obtain free STL mannequin | Printables.com That is an superior little print-in-place tripod from @winter0is0coming. All you’ll want is a little bit of glue to affix the highest half that features the mounting buckle to the underside half that features the legs, and a heat-set threaded insert or nut. PETG is the plain selection, however you might go for one thing actually robust like PA-CF in case your printer can deal with it. GoPro Tripod Screw Adapter by Spock | Obtain free STL mannequin | Printables.com When you already personal one thing like a Joby GorillaPod that you simply’d like to make use of along with your GoPro, @Spock has created a superb 1/4”-20 buckle adapter you can screw onto any regular tripod. The underside has the threads modeled into the half, however for the highest, you will have an M5 nut. Print in PETG, and you recognize what, simply print a bunch of those to have available. They’re actually cents every and also you by no means know if you would possibly want one thing like this, particularly contemplating that this actual product sells for a number of {dollars} every (in case your native retailer even shares them in any respect). Low profile GoPro adhesive display screen mount by Dave_B – Thingiverse
Typically, it’s essential stick a GoPro to one thing that doesn’t fairly match the profile of any of the first-party GoPro clip baseplates, those with the adhesive on the underside. Fortunately, all that adhesive is is 3M VHB tape! Seize a roll, print a versatile, flat-bottomed mount like this one from Thingiverse’s Dave_B, apply the tape to the underside, and all of a sudden you’ve got a really sturdy mount that may conform to no matter form you need-windshields, boat hulls, you identify it. Rating! Particular Makes use of A small assortment of mounts and equipment for particular conditions. GoPro – molle mount by Josef | Obtain free STL mannequin | Printables.com A easy mounting plate from @Josef_16914 that may will let you slip a GoPro onto customary MOLLE webbing. Initially meant for army use, this customary has develop into very fashionable for functions that want a versatile, modular storage resolution — there’s even some on my photograph backpack. Print in one thing robust because of the small load-bearing surfaces-PETG at minimal, ideally one thing like PC-blend or PA-GF. GoPro fashion thumb screws and handlebar mount by HD_Creator | Obtain free STL mannequin | Printables.com Planning on performing some biking however don’t need to pony up the $40 for the first-party tube clamp? Right here you go! The creator, @HD_Creator, studies that PLA labored simply tremendous for them, however I’d suggest sticking with PETG, as PLA is thought to degrade over time with publicity to UV mild. It’s also possible to add some rubber bits to the within of the clamps for some further grip. Picture credit score: @6d6178 through Printables. Modular Mounting System / GoPro Arms (Customizable) by 6d6178 | Obtain free STL mannequin | Printables.com
Typically it’s essential have a bit extra positional flexibility in your digital camera mounting. This large package from @6d6178 contains tons of arms of various lengths and orientations to allow you to put your GoPro precisely the place you need it. What’s extra, the included information are absolutely parametric, which means you may simply customise their dimensions to your actual wants in a program like OnShape. This package would require some M5 nuts and screws to assemble the additional fasteners, and I’d strongly recommend printing this in as inflexible a cloth as you can-any of the PA composites can be a terrific selection, however PETG-CF or -GF can be substitute. Gopro Scorching Shoe Mount by DR 3D | Obtain free STL mannequin | Printables.com When you’re planning on performing some pictures, strive a GoPro sizzling hoe mount like this one from @DR3D_Prints. These are superior for gathering content material, both for social media or simply as a memento of your photographic exploits. I really use one among these myself after I’m working — time sync a couple of images to the footage off the GoPro and also you’ve obtained a cool little behind-the-scenes video of your work. PLA has labored tremendous for me right here. Instruments Let’s face it-GoPros is usually a huge ache to work on. Their compact measurement means parts are fiddly, and in case your fingers are large like mine, it may be a nightmare to work in tight areas or with small components. Listed here are a few instruments to assist with that. GoPro Hero11 Lens Removing Software by dave818 | Obtain free STL mannequin | Printables.com By design, the lens covers on the previous couple of generations of GoPro are actually troublesome to take away. They’re not very deep, which suggests you don’t get a lot buy when making an attempt to twist them off. Right here’s a wrench from @dave818_12303 designed to make that simpler. PLA would most likely be tremendous for this, simply watch out to not snap it off in case your lens cowl occurs to be actually caught. GoPro Screw Tightener Software by Jonathan_K1906 – Thingiverse
Now right here’s a novel idea-glue a giant knob to a thumbscrew to get it out from below the digital camera and make it simpler to tighten. Thanks, Jonathan_K1906! GoPro (The Software) by Jonathan_K1906 – Thingiverse …or, in case you don’t need to try this, simply print off this recreation of the official GoPro “The Software”, that doesn’t have to be caught to the screw, and also will work on the shorter ones as a bonus. Go Get Your Personal! The 3D printing neighborhood is nice to be part of. If we see an issue, chances are high somebody has already created a repair for it and we are able to go get it without cost, and even iterate and enhance on it ourselves. There are actually 1000’s of various designs for all method of equipment, not just for the usual GoPro however for different cameras just like the DJI Osmo Motion or the Insta360 X collection of 360 cams, that allow totally new makes use of for one thing we already personal. That’s fairly superior, in case you ask me.
