Luis Aguilera Photo

10/31/2026

What if I turned one of my sketches into a goth collectible? 🖤

I’ve been wanting to create more original characters, so I started with a simple drawing and figured out how to turn her into a real, physical object using AI and 3D printing.

Here’s how I made it 👇

1. THE SKETCH ✏️
Started by drawing the character by hand. Sharp bob, heavy eyeliner, silver hair clips, black lipstick, and an oversized jacket.
2. AI IMAGE 🤖
Used Tripo AI to develop the sketch into a finished character image while keeping the original attitude and graphic black-and-white style.
3. IMAGE TO 3D 🧊
Turned the character image into a 3D model, refined the shapes, and separated everything into 9 printable pieces and 3 colors.
4. 3D PRINTING 🖨️
Sliced the pieces and printed everything on my Bambu Lab 3D printer.
5. FINISHING 🎨
Cleaned the prints, hand-painted the smaller details, and assembled all the pieces.
6. THE FINAL OBJECT 🔥
From a quick sketch to an original goth girl bust, made at IMPRESO in NYC.

I love that a drawing doesn’t have to stay on paper anymore. It can become a character, a model, and eventually a real object you can hold.

What kind of character should I create next?

Made with Tripoai × IMPRESO.NYC

10/20/2026

What if Mafalda went punk? 🤘

I grew up with Mafalda, the little rebel created by Quino. She was always questioning everything, so turning her into a punk rock collectible just made sense.

For this one, I wanted to take a classic 2D comic character and turn her into a real, physical art toy using AI and 3D printing.

Here’s how I made it 👇

01. THE IDEA ✏️
Started with the original Mafalda and reimagined her with a punk attitude. Black clothes, spiked crown, chunky boots, and a boombox.

02. AI TO 3D 🤖
Used Tripo AI to turn the concept into a 3D model, then refined the details and prepared the pieces for printing.

03. 3D PRINTING 🖨️
Split the model into parts and printed everything on my Bambu Lab 3D printer.

04. FINISHING 🎨
Sanded, primed, hand-painted, and assembled the pieces to bring the character to life.

05. THE FINAL OBJECT 🔥
From a 2D comic to a physical punk Mafalda collectible, made at IMPRESO in NYC.

I love taking something familiar and giving it a completely different attitude. And being able to go from an idea to a real object is still one of my favorite things about this whole process.

What character should I reimagine next?

Made with Tripoai × IMPRESO.NYC

10/19/2026

What happens when AI-generated ideas become real things? 👀
Got to spend some time in San Francisco at Tripoai’s Tripothon, checking out what creators and developers are building with AI and 3D.
From intricate 3D-printed nail art to a digital pet living inside a wearable ring, and even AI meme characters becoming physical collectibles and playable characters.
As someone who works with both digital art and 3D printing, this is the stuff that gets me excited. AI isn’t just about generating images. It’s about what you can actually make with them.
🚀 Want to experiment with Tripo yourself?
🎁 500 free credits with invite code D75T0A
⚡ 60% off your first month with code TRIPOCREW
🔗 Link in bio
DigitalFabrication

07/28/2026

Idea: a skull that’s also a planter.
I wanted it to feel like a modern home object, not a Halloween decoration.

Step 1: Rough sketch
I start with a quick drawing to figure out the silhouette and proportions. Nothing polished, just enough to get the idea on paper.

Step 2: Clean render (AI)
I upload the sketch into an image generator and prompt it into a cleaner, more product-like render. This becomes my reference for the 3D model.

Step 3: Image to 3D
I upload the render to 3D Hunyuan and let it generate the initial 3D model. It’s a great starting point before I refine it for printing.
https://3d.hunyuanglobal.com

Step 4: Clean up
I fix the geometry, flatten the base, and make sure everything is solid and ready to print.

Step 5: Slice + print
Once everything checks out, I slice the model and send it to the printer. A few hours later, it’s done.

From sketch to physical object.
Skull planter. Coming to .nyc
Printed on

06/01/2026

Idea: A boombox lighter case.
I wanted to turn a standard lighter into something that felt like a miniature object you’d actually want to keep, so I built it as a boombox.

Step 1: Rough sketch
I start with a quick drawing to block out the overall shape and front details. Nothing detailed, just the proportions and main features.

Step 2: Clean render (AI)
I upload the sketch into an image generator and push it toward a cleaner, more object-like render. This becomes the reference.

Step 3: Image to 3D
That render goes into MakerWorld’s Image to 3D tool, which converts it into a printable 3D model.
makerworld.com > imageTo3D

Step 4: Check + slice
I adjust a few details to make sure the lighter fits correctly inside, then bring it into the slicer to prepare it for printing.

Step 5: Print
Send it to the printer. One color, simple setup. A few hours later, it’s done.

Step 6: Assemble
Insert the lighter and it’s ready to use.

From idea to physical object.
Boombox lighter case, part of the IDEA → OBJECT series.nyc

05/05/2026

Idea: A CDJ light.
I wanted to take something iconic from music culture and turn it into a small functional object, so I built it as a light.

Step 1: Rough sketch
I start with a quick drawing to block out the layout. Just the jog wheel, buttons, and overall proportions.

Step 2: Clean render (AI)
I push the sketch into an image generator and refine it into a clean, minimal render. This becomes the reference.

Step 3: Image to 3D
That render goes into Hunyuan 3D, which converts it into a printable model.

Step 4: Form update (from comments)
Someone suggested adding a hole through the body so you can press the tea light. I updated the model to make it functional from the bottom.

Step 5: Clean up
I refine the geometry and make sure the key shapes read clearly for printing.

Step 6: Check + slice
I bring it into the slicer, adjust supports and orientation, and make sure everything is ready.

Step 7: Print
Send it to the printer. One color at a time. A few hours later, it’s done.

Step 8: Final update
A lot of people mentioned heat, so I switched to battery-powered tea lights. Now you can turn it on and off from the bottom.

From idea to physical object.
CDJ tea light, part of the IDEA → OBJECT series.nyc

05/04/2026

🎉 I earned the emerging talent badge this week, recognizing me for creating engaging content that sparks an interest among my fans!

04/24/2026

Idea: A deco pool tray.
I wanted to see if I could take something architectural and turn it into a small functional object, so I built it as a tray.

Step 1: Rough sketch
I start with a quick drawing to block out the shape and layout. Just the pool form, steps, and proportions.

Step 2: Clean render (AI)
I push the sketch into an image generator and refine it into a clean, object-like render. This becomes the reference.

Step 3: Image to 3D
That render goes into MakerWorld MakerLab (image to 3D), which converts it into a printable model.

Step 4: Color + form
I use the paint height tools to define the different color regions and clean up key areas so it reads clearly when printed.

Step 5: Check + slice
I bring it into the slicer, adjust supports and orientation, and make sure everything is ready.

Step 6: Print
Send it to the printer. One color at a time. A few hours later, it’s done.

From idea to physical object.
Deco pool tray, part of the IDEA → OBJECT series.nyc

04/12/2026