Cryptatrope Adventure: Chapter 1

Engineering + Art = Magic primetowerdesigns.com
Beginner's Guide	The Next Dimension	How It's Made

Start Here

This page is the entry point for ticket-holding puzzle adventurers. Cryptatrope: A Maker Adventure spans 3 chapters, each with a progressively intricate optical upgrade. To get a ticket, simply become a project backer.

Your journey begins with an important message from Mike:

A time-degraded recording from 1503
(digitally recovered as best as possible)

To unlock the next chapter, print the base device and enter its secret message in the adventure portal.

Required Materials

Option 1: For the rugged, do-it-yourself adventurer

• 3 glow sticks (thick 6” green kind)
  Inexpensive emergency prep supplies carried by many big stores. Brightness varies considerably across brands and colors. Must be the type with a true hook. This is the kind Mike has (affiliate links) - whatever you get should look nearly identical: 10-pack, 32-pack

Option 2: For a more polished and lasting setup

A Cryptatrope parts kit (ZL022) is available in Bambu's store.

While the kit is easiest, you can opt to buy the components individually:

• 2 magnetically activated Y LEDs (white)
  The Cryptatrope can be customized to fit LEDs from other vendors.
• 1 or 2 round neodymium magnets (25x3 mm)
  The regular and deluxe stands use 1 and 2 magnets respectively.

How to Print

Preconfigured .3mf files are provided for Bambu users. Raw .stl files are provided for everyone else.

Core Components: Caps & Diffusers

General Instructions

• Only need to print once, not per chapter.
• Pick the glow stick or LED version.
• For the brightest diffuser, use basic (not matte) white PLA.
• Or you can use a bright color basic PLA for the LED diffuser.
  (to approximate a glow stick, try Bambu Green)

Instructions for Non-Bambu Users

• Diffusers:
  • Layer height: 0.2 mm
  • Wall loops: 3; Wall generator: Arachne (important for proper fit)
  • Top & bottom surface pattern: Concentric
• Caps:
  • Layer height: 0.1 mm (precise) or 0.2 mm (quick)
  • Wall loops: 4; Wall generator: Arachne (important for proper fit)
  • Top & bottom surface pattern: Concentric
  • Normal / snug supports, top & bottom Z distance of 0.2 mm

Advanced Option

The caps and diffusers can both be customized. This can be helpful if you wish to use a different LED than the one in the Bill of Materials, or you otherwise need to adjust diffuser tolerances for your printer. To do so, click the Customize button at the top of this page (desktop version of the site), and select the component to customize. After changing parameters, click “Generate” to apply them.

Before printing customized caps and diffusers, apply the print settings from the standard versions. In Bambu Studio, you can transfer these settings by right-clicking the old object (cap or diffuser), selecting “Copy process settings,” then right-clicking your custom version and selecting “Paste process settings.”

Stand

General Instructions

• Only need to print once, not per chapter.
• Print this version if you did not purchase the Deluxe Stand.
• The slot underneath holds an optional magnet for the LED version.

Instructions for Non-Bambu Users

• Layer height: 0.1 mm (precise) or 0.2 mm (quick)
• Wall loops: 4; Only 1 wall on first layer
• Infill direction: 90 degrees (to approximate a wood grain look)
• Normal / snug supports, top & bottom Z distance of 0.2 mm

Tube (Chapter 1 Photonic Cylinder)

General Instructions

• Use a dark matte PLA for the message area. Darker is better.
• If you don't have multicolor capabilities you can use the same filament for both colors. Alternatively, you can add manual swaps at heights 5.1 mm & 95.1 mm.

Instructions for Bambu Users

• Profiles labeled “quick” print over twice as fast as the “precise" ones.
  (the resulting display is subjectively about 90-95% the quality)
• Subsequent chapters will use “precise” settings by default.
  (for “quick," toggle layer height to 0.2 mm & wall loops to 2)
• Floating region warnings can be ignored.

Instructions for Non-Bambu Users

• To colorize, cut object to parts at heights of 5 mm & 95 mm. Accent colors for top & bottom parts.
• Layer height: 0.1 mm (precise) or 0.2 mm (quick)
• Wall loops: 2 or 3; Wall generator: Classic is faster
• Top & bottom surface pattern: Concentric
• Infill density: 8%
• Prime tower: Disable

How to Assemble

All parts are designed to slot together without glue.

Note that if an LED core is inserted too forcefully, the LED may turn off.

How to Proceed

1. Activate the internal light source
   • Glow stick: Crack its inner container and then shake.

   • LEDs: Bring close to base magnet. Avoid their strobing mode.
     (will not turn off automatically so remember to do so)

      

2. Ensure proper viewing conditions
   • Best viewed in a dark room. The darker the better.
   • Keep your head level and steady. Close one eye.

   • Target viewing distance is approximately 14 inches (35 cm).

      

3. Decode the secret message

   • Spin rapidly to resolve letters.
   • Turn slowly using knobs for clear animations.

    

4. Enter the message at cryptatrope.primetowerdesigns.com

Looking for Help?

If you ever get stuck, even if the images appear to be legible, first try using the device in a darker room (curtains or blinds typically don't block enough sunlight), spinning it more rapidly, and giving your eyes a minute to adjust.

If you still need help, you can send a private message to Prime Tower Designs on MakerWorld (click the chat bubble next to “Follow”), or post a comment below. Please do not share secrets in the comments.

For the Archives

To store and showcase the adventure artifacts, an optional relic holder is available.

Cover Photo

Decent low-light photography requires expensive equipment that I do not have. The new cover image is based on a real photo, updated with AI to improve environmental lighting and background. Other than this, the animated gifs and videos do not use AI.

Enter the Next Dimension (Easy to print. Lit by a glow stick. Free.)