v1.0.31 · Added languages

Generate 3D illuminated channel letters for signage

Professional desktop software for producing illuminated advertising letters using 3D printing. Import a DXF file and export a print-ready STL in seconds.

3D illuminated channel letter preview
3DReal-time Preview
DXFVector Import
STLPrint-Ready Export
Available since v1.0.20

Latest features

The current feature set — six back types, a Solid front mode for painted letters, an automatic DXF validator, an interactive orientation cube and explode view, a third color group for the back, and one-click STL per object export.

+ DXF import
+ DXF validator
+ Wall inward mode
+ Solid front mode
+ 6 back types
+ Base color
+ Orientation cube
+ Explode view
+ STL per object

Everything you need

Five dedicated panels — every parameter a sign maker needs, nothing more.

📂

DXF Import

Load any vector DXF file directly from your CAD or illustration tool. Choose unit scale (millimeters or inches) and set curve tolerance down to 0.05 mm for highly precise geometry. A built-in DXF validator automatically detects open contours, micro-segments and other potential issues — every problem is listed with severity (error / warning / info) so you can fix the source file before printing.

DXF Unit scale Curve tolerance DXF validator
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Real-time 3D Preview

The model regenerates automatically as soon as you change any parameter — no Generate button to press. An interactive orientation cube lets you snap to any standard view with a single click and fit the model to the viewport on double-click. An explode slider separates the acrylic and base from the wall so you can inspect how the parts fit together, and you can toggle visibility of walls, acrylic and base independently.

Auto-regenerate Orientation cube Explode view Visibility toggles Live triangle count
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Wall Settings

Set the outer wall thickness (default 2 mm) and box depth (default 25 mm). Switch to Wall inward mode to make the outer surface of the wall flush with the acrylic outline — ideal when the DXF already represents the finished letter shape. A built-in cross-section diagram shows exactly how the wall, acrylic and tolerances relate to each other.

Wall thickness Box depth Wall inward mode Cross-section diagram
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Acrylic & Rebate

Configure acrylic thickness (3 mm), rebate width (2 mm), clearance around the acrylic (0.2 mm) and inset below the top edge. Or switch on Solid front (no acrylic) to produce a fully printed letter — ideal for painted or lacquered signage. The acrylic (plexiglass) is laser-cut from the same DXF file you import, so it fits precisely into the printed letter — exactly as shown in the 3D preview.

Acrylic thickness Rebate width Clearance control Solid front mode
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Base System — 6 types

W – Open, I – Solid, S – Snap-in, G – Groove (U-channel with inner + outer lip), V – Insert (inner lip, wall slides in from below) and F – Falc / Rebate (flat plate seated in a recess at the bottom of the wall). Tune lip heights, lip thickness, rebate depth and back-to-wall clearance. Enable Print base separately to export the base as a third independent STL.

W / I / S / G / V / F Groove + Insert + Falc Print base separately
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Color System

Three independent color groups — Wall, Acrylic and Base. Eight presets in each group plus a full color picker for any RAL or custom hex value. An opacity slider lets you simulate how the finished letter will look when illuminated.

Wall · Acrylic · Base Custom hex picker Opacity simulation
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Triple STL Export

Export Wall STL and Back STL (when the back is printed separately), plus a one-click STL per object that splits a multi-shape DXF into one print-ready file per letter. Every file is FDM-ready — no extra preparation in a slicer is required.

Wall STL Back STL STL per object FDM-ready
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Offline License

Your license key is stored locally on your machine — no account required, no server calls, no data sent anywhere. Paste your key once and STL export is permanently unlocked. The app works fully offline, including on air-gapped production computers.

No account required Works offline Local key storage

Application Screenshots

A look inside the interface — every panel, every parameter.

SOURCE panel — DXF import
SOURCE — DXF Import
Load any DXF vector file with one click. The header instantly shows file size and the number of curves detected. Choose unit scale (mm or inches) and tune curve tolerance for the level of precision your geometry needs.
WALLS panel — thickness and depth settings
WALLS — Thickness, Depth & Wall Inward
Set outer wall thickness and box depth. The built-in cross-section diagram shows exactly how the wall, acrylic and tolerances relate. Switch on Wall inward (flush with acrylic) when the DXF already represents the finished letter outline.
ACRYLIC panel — rebate parameters
ACRYLIC — Rebate & Solid Front
Acrylic thickness (3 mm), rebate width (2 mm), clearance around the acrylic (0.2 mm) and inset below the top edge. Or enable Solid front (no acrylic) for fully printed letters meant to be painted or lacquered.
BACK panel — cover type selection
BACK — 6 types & Explode View
Six back types in a single picker: W – Open, I – Solid, S – Snap-in, G – Groove, V – Insert, F – Falc. Tune back thickness, snap-lip height & thickness, and back-to-wall clearance. Use the Explode slider to separate parts and inspect the fit before printing.
COLORS panel — wall and acrylic color selection
COLORS — Wall · Acrylic · Base
Three independent color groups — wall body, translucent acrylic and the back/base. Eight presets in each group plus a full custom-color picker. Show / hide Walls, Acrylic and Base individually in the preview using the Show toggles.
Language selection — 11 languages including English, Slovak, German, Czech, Polish, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, French, Italian and Hungarian
VIEWPORT — Explode View
The Explode slider separates the wall, acrylic and back so you can visually verify how the parts fit. An interactive orientation cube in the corner snaps to any standard view with a single click — and double-click fits the model to the viewport.
Custom color picker with full spectrum grid
LANGUAGES — 11 LANGUAGES
The app is available in English, Slovenčina, Deutsch, Čeština, Polski, Español, 中文, Русский, Français, Italiano and Magyar. Switch languages at any time from the flag dropdown in the top-left corner — every label, tooltip and message follows.

From DXF to STL in 3 steps

01

Import your DXF file

Load a vector file from any CAD or illustration tool. Set the unit scale and curve tolerance. The built-in validator immediately flags any open contours, micro-segments or other issues before you print.

02

Configure all parameters

Adjust wall thickness, box depth, acrylic rebate (or switch to a solid top), pick one of six base types, and set wall, acrylic and base colors — every change updates the 3D preview instantly, with no Generate button to press.

03

Download your STL files

Export the Wall STL, the Base STL (when printed separately) or even one STL per letter from a multi-shape DXF. Every file is ready to slice and print on any FDM printer. The license is verified locally — no internet connection required.

Color customization preview

Simple Pricing

14-Day Free Trial
5€
/ month
Unlimited STL exports
Real-time 3D preview
All six base types · STL per object
Full custom color system (wall · acrylic · base)
macOS & Windows
Offline license — no account required
⬇ Start Free Trial

Download the Application

Available for macOS and Windows. Includes a 14-day free trial — no account required.

Windows installation notes

The Windows build is not yet signed with a code-signing certificate, so Windows SmartScreen and Defender will warn you on first launch. The installer is safe — these steps unblock it:

  1. After downloading, extract the ZIP, then right-click ChannelLetters_1.0.30_x64-setup.exeProperties → at the bottom tick Unblock → OK. Then double-click to run.
  2. If you see "Windows protected your PC": click More infoRun anyway.
  3. If Defender still flags the file: open Settings → Virus & threat protection → Manage settings → Add or remove exclusions and add the folder where you install the app.

A signed Windows build is in the works — these warnings will disappear once the certificate is in place.

This app is a solo project built with care. If you find it useful and decide to subscribe, it means a lot — your support allows me to keep improving the app and adding new features over time.

How to subscribe

Follow these steps to get your license key.

01

Copy your Mac Hardware ID

Open the app, click 3D Channel Letters in the menu bar, then select Copy Mac Hardware ID. This unique ID is needed to generate your personal license key.

02

Send a payment of €5

Click Pay with PayPal or Pay with Revolut below — each button opens your payment app with the amount pre-filled. You can also search the usernames manually in the app.

03

Send your Hardware ID and payment confirmation

Click the button below to open a pre-filled email. Paste your Mac Hardware ID and attach a screenshot or confirmation of your payment. Send it to kralmilos@gmail.com.

04

Receive your license key

Once I verify your payment and Hardware ID, I will generate your personal license key and send it to your email within 24 hours. Paste it into the app and STL export is permanently unlocked.

✉ Send License Request

Opens your email app with a pre-filled message — paste your Hardware ID and attach payment proof.

Price: €5 / month  ·  14-day free trial included  ·  Try the software fully during the trial — once you pay, the subscription is non-refundable.

Before you pay: by sending the €5 payment and requesting your license key, you expressly agree that the digital service begins immediately and you waive the EU 14-day right of withdrawal under Art. 16(m) of Directive 2011/83/EU. The free trial preceding payment is provided so you can fully evaluate the Software before committing. See Trial & No-Refund Policy for details.