Mario Koopa Shell and Spiny Shell Multi Part

There's something about a simple Koopa Shell that holds a special place in my heart. Maybe it's from countless hours spent playing the original Mario Kart in the 90s, battling family and friends all night with with different shells. Getting a red shell was the best as it gave you the ultimate power!

This 3D printed model is the first multi-part model I designed. When I began experimenting with multi-color 3D printing, I started collecting various Mario models online from other designers with a goal of displaying a large collection on my shelf. However, I couldn't find a Koopa shell that fully satisfied me, so I decided to create my own multi-part design, which marked the beginning of my journey of many hours of learning and experimenting with Blender. You might wonder why the colored shell pieces are each shaped slightly differently. It's because I aimed to preserve their authentic appearance and original shapes.

At 100% scale, the model stands 2.5” (63.5mm) tall and 3” (76mm) long. At 150% scale, it measures 3.75” (95mm) tall and 4.5” (114mm) long. If scaling down to 80% size as seen in the pictures, adjusting the size of the small triangle pieces by approximately 1% may be necessary for a better fit, but readability of the markings will be too small to see, so pay attention to each piece. I would assume scaling up past 150% poses no issues, though snapping in the bottom part may become a little hard as the material wont bend as much. Scaling down the tan and black insert a tad will help.

Colors Used:

-Common shell colors:

- Elegoo: Matte white, black

- Sunlu: Burlywood

- Green shell: PLA Pro green

- Red shell: Creality Hyper Red

- Blue shell: Elegoo BlueGrey

Printing Technique:

I consistently use a glue stick to secure prints to the bed plate, which significantly improves adhesion. For the tan lower shell, I use default tree supports at a 25-degree angle, along with rafts set with an 8mm expansion. The white ring is set for strong tree supports at 25-degree angle with rafts and a 3mm expansion. Default tree supports for the top black shell. When printing color shell pieces, rafts are recommended for the small triangle pieces, and default supports for the bigger pieces. If bed adhesion concerns arise with larger pieces, consider using rafts, although I haven't encountered issues myself.

Assembly Tips:

- Light sanding will be necessary on the bottom of the white ring due to support material residue.

- Each part is labeled for ease of assembly:

- White ring: Oval cut on the inside edge, marking the front

- Black insert: Arrow indicates front

- Black top: Arrow on bottom and small bump point forward

- Starting from the back looking forward, L (Left side), R (Right side)

- Colored pieces: Labeled for front (F), back (B), rights (R), lefts (L); top is unlabeled

- Small triangle pieces: Marked sequentially from front to back (1, 2, 3) with side indicators (R or L)

Building the Model:

1. Snap the black insert into the tan lower shell, ensuring it faces the front.

2. Snap in the lower shell to the white ring, inserting the back first and then snapping in the front. If you are pressing too hard, you are doing it wrong, don’t force it as you could damage it.

3. Snap in the black top in the correct orientation; gluing may be necessary if it’s too loose.

4. Take your time gluing the colored pieces, allowing time for drying to prevent sliding around.

5. Insert the small triangle pieces in their designated slots with the flat printed edge facing downward.

6. (For Blue Spiny Shell) Glue on the spikes to complete the assembly.

Now you have a Koopa Shell straight out of the game! Thank you for visiting and building this model. For more Mario prints, explore the rest of my collection.

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