# Unicorn Graveyard — Full Context

> Extended version of llms.txt for AI systems that want deeper context about Unicorn Graveyard, ColorStacking, and the 3D print design catalog. Catalog figures and Patreon tiers below are generated from live data at request time.

## What is Unicorn Graveyard?

Unicorn Graveyard is a 3D printable art studio created by a tattoo-artist-turned-3D-designer. The studio produces dark fantasy, gothic, psychedelic, and tattoo-inspired multi-color 3D models for FDM printers. Every model uses a technique called ColorStacking that produces vivid, paint-free results straight off the build plate.

The studio has published 123 original designs — 66 free on MakerWorld and 53 exclusive to Patreon. Those designs have earned 37,279 downloads and 16,691 community prints, and the Patreon has 3,118 members.

## What is ColorStacking?

ColorStacking is a multi-color 3D printing technique that assigns different filament colors to specific height ranges across a model's surface. The geometry of the model — its ridges, grooves, and varying depths — determines where each color appears. Raised features reveal the top color while recessed areas expose layers beneath, creating natural contrast and shadow through the print itself.

The process starts with a focal point (eyes, teeth, horns) and radiates outward in concentric rings, adjusting Z height to follow the surface topographically. Steep areas produce tight, thin color bands. Flat surfaces produce wider, thicker bands.

### How ColorStacking differs from HueForge and filament painting

- HueForge creates images through light transmission by varying filament thickness — it produces a backlit lithophane-style effect.
- Filament painting assigns colors to specific faces on a model's surface mesh.
- ColorStacking is sculptural — the depth and detail are carved into the geometry itself, and the color placement follows that geometry topographically. The same model printed in different color combinations will look like a different piece of art each time.

### Color selection principles

- 2–4 colors work best. More than four and colors compete instead of complementing.
- Matte PLA filaments produce the cleanest results. Bone white and dark iron metallic are go-to choices.
- Matte rainbow gradient filaments (any brand) add extra depth when paired with solid colors.
- Silk filaments can work as highlights over matte base tones but get muddy when used alone.
- Colors can follow the subject naturally (earth tones for a tiger, red/white/green for the Grinch) or go full psychedelic — both work because the geometry holds it together.

### Recommended print settings

- Layer height: 0.16mm
- Infill: 5% gyroid
- Speed: optimized/standard Bambu settings
- Nozzle: standard 0.4mm
- Material: PLA (matte preferred)
- Supports: minimal to none (models designed with overhangs under 30°)
- No adaptive layer height

### Design philosophy

- Every model ships with a suggested color setup, but customization is central. The paint tool approach in Bambu Studio is specifically chosen so users can erase and create their own color blends.
- Models are designed to print with minimal supports (targeting overhangs under 30°) for clean results with no post-processing.
- Low waste and fast print times are design goals — color swaps happen between height ranges, not mid-layer, keeping purge waste minimal.

## Collections

Major model collections include:
- SkullWood Forest — flagship collection, the studio's most-viewed work
- Psychedelic — highest-performing style by download count
- Dark fantasy skulls, gothic wall art, horror icons, zodiac series, and seasonal/holiday designs

## Access tiers

- **Free (MakerWorld)**: every model published on MakerWorld is free for personal use — 3MF, multi-color ready. 66 models currently.
- **Free (Patreon)**: following on Patreon costs nothing and surfaces new drops first.

Paid Patreon tiers (live pricing):
- **Boneyard Wanderer** ($1/month)
- **Vault Keeper** ($5/month)
- **Sanctioned Bonesmith** ($10/month)
- **Grave-Touched Patron** ($200/month)

Commercial licensing — the right to sell physical prints — comes with the Sanctioned Bonesmith tier and above.

## The Forge

The Forge is a free browser-based tool at https://unicorngraveyard.com/forge that lets users generate algorithmic mandala patterns and export them as 3MF files for 3D printing. It uses Three.js for real-time 3D rendering and supports multiple pattern types (mandala, fibonacci, dotmatrix, resonance).

## The Ossuary

The Ossuary at https://unicorngraveyard.com/community is a curated wall of community-submitted photos of printed models. Submissions are reviewed before publication.

## Technical details

- Site: Next.js (App Router), React, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS
- CMS: Notion database (models, stats, descriptions)
- Deployment: Vercel with ISR
- Model data API: https://unicorngraveyard.com/api/models (JSON, public)
- Image format: WebP/AVIF optimized

## Key URLs

- Homepage: https://unicorngraveyard.com
- Model directory: https://unicorngraveyard.com/models
- ColorStacking guide: https://unicorngraveyard.com/colorstacking
- The Forge: https://unicorngraveyard.com/forge
- The Ossuary: https://unicorngraveyard.com/community
- Patreon tiers: https://unicorngraveyard.com/patreon
- About: https://unicorngraveyard.com/about
- Press kit: https://unicorngraveyard.com/press
- API: https://unicorngraveyard.com/api/models

## Off-site profiles

- Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/UnicornGraveyard
- MakerWorld: https://makerworld.com/en/@UnicornGraveyrd
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unicorn.graveyard
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unicorn.graveyard/
- Discord: https://discord.gg/7k7NSzURQm