Magic GIF-Ball
TIME REQUIRED:
A Weekend
DIFFICULTY:
Easy/Intermediate
COST:
$100–$200
MATERIALS
» Raspberry Pi Model 3 A+ mini computer
Newark 80AC9303, newark.com
» LCD display breakout, 1.3", ST7789
Adafruit 4313, adafruit.com
» Battery charger, PowerBoost 1000
Adafruit 2465
» Push-button power switch breakout
Adafruit 1400
» Tactile switch, 6mm, long plunger
Adafruit 1490
» Tilt-switch/vibration sensor Adafruit 1766
» LiPo battery, 1800 mAh, single cell such as
Amazon B07TTD2SVC
» MicroSD card, 16GB Adafruit 2820
» JST male connector Adafruit 3814
» Jumper wires, female Newark 42X1200
» Right angle headers, male, 0.1", 12 pos
» Machine screws: M3×6mm (4) and
M2.5×10mm (6)
» CA glue aka super glue
» 3D printed parts I printed them in black PLA
filament, MatterHackers MH Build brand.
Download the free 3D files for printing from
Element14 makezine.com/go/element-14-
magic-gif-ball (free account required).
» Spray paint, white
TOOLS
» 3D printer
» Soldering iron
» Paintbrush, fine tip
A
63
make.co
The classic Magic 8-Ball toy has been a mainstay
of pop culture for decades: Ask a yes-or-no
question about the future, then turn it over to
see your answer “magically appear!” But its
sorely limited by the 20 static replies imprinted
on its floating icosahedron. We live in an age
of endless stimulation, and equally limitless
memes, so why not combine our modern
entertainment sensibilities with the familiar form
of that classic toy? Why not a Magic GIF-Ball?
I’m not the first person to decide that a
fantastical fortune-telling sphere should answer
with images instead of text, but I like to think I’ve
made a tidier version that can easily be replicated
by anyone with a basic knowledge of electronics
and beginner’s grasp of the Linux command line.
At its surface, this is still a toy, meant to surprise
and delight your friends and loved ones as a spin
on a familiar object. But its also an approachable
project that tackles inputs, outputs, and
programming (if you so choose) for the maker
eager for more Raspberry Pi-related goodness.
BUILD YOUR MAGIC GIF-BALL
Let’s do it. Before you build, you might like
to watch my overview video at youtube.com/
watch?v=wDhnG030C2Q.
1. PRINT THE PARTS
You can find the parts packed in a tidy .zip over
at Element14 (makezine.com/go/element-14-
magic-gif-ball). I've included the full assembly as
a STEP file in addition to the individual STLs, so
you can modify the design to your heart's content.
There are seven parts to 3D print: the upper
shell, lower shell, bezel, LCD retainer, mounting
block, logo insert, and button retainer. I printed
mine out of PLA at a 0.2mm layer height, but at
higher resolutions your sphericity will of course
be much better. For the shells, I recommend
printing in dome vs. bowl orientation as this is
less likely to warp. Print the logo vertically (Figure
A
), as the X-Y axis is much higher resolution than
the Z (the logo is a very shallow curved piece,
which is a challenge for all FDM 3D printers).
2. PAINT
Depending on what color filament you used, you’ll
need to paint the shell and/or the logo pieces
M78_062-67_MagicGifBall_F1.indd 63M78_062-67_MagicGifBall_F1.indd 63 7/11/21 10:50 AM7/11/21 10:50 AM
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