A miniature storage case carved to the figure inside it
Shelves collect dust, boxes let figures knock together, and magnetised trays only hold what has a metal base. MyMiniCase generates a printable case whose cavity is the negative of your miniature — so each figure sits in its own pocket, touching nothing but its own walls.
Why generic storage wears painted miniatures down
Most damage to a finished miniature does not happen in a fall. It happens slowly: a figure slides a few millimetres every time the box moves, and whatever it rubs against — foam, another model, the lid — polishes the paint off the high points. Tips of weapons, banner edges and the rim of a helmet go first.
A case that matches the silhouette removes the room to move. The figure is held on every side at once, with a small, even gap you choose, so there is nothing to rub against and no direction for it to slide.
How to make one
Everything happens in your browser. The STL is processed on your own computer and is never uploaded.
- Load the STL of the miniatureDrag the file you printed the figure from into the generator. Several parts dropped together are grouped as one model.
- Set the clearance and the lidChoose the gap between figure and wall, then turn on the options you want on the sliding lid: window, snap detent, grip grooves, engraving.
- Generate and printThe case and the lid export as STL files ready for your slicer, on any FDM or resin printer.
Choosing settings for long-term storage
| Setting | For storage | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Clearance | 0.6–1.0 mm | Painted and varnished figures should slide in without scraping. Go tighter (around 0.4 mm) only for bare prints. |
| Lid window | On, with a clear pane | The lid can have an opening with a recessed ledge for a PETG or acrylic pane — you see the figure without opening the case. |
| Snap detent | On | A small bump-and-dimple keeps the sliding lid shut when the case is stacked or picked up. |
| Engraving | Name on a side face | Text or a logo can be engraved on the case or lid, so stacked cases are identifiable without opening them. |
Printing the case in a translucent filament turns it into a display box as well: the figure stays visible on the shelf and dust never reaches it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need the STL of my miniature?
Yes. The cavity is carved from the 3D file, so you need the STL you printed from, the one the sculptor sold you, or a 3D scan of the figure. If your file is a STEP or IGES, or too heavy to load, the free decimate & convert tool turns it into a lighter STL first.
Will the case protect a painted miniature?
That is the main use. Give painted figures 0.6–1.0 mm of clearance so they go in and out without scraping, and the fitted cavity stops them from moving once inside.
Can I store several miniatures in one case?
On the Pro plan you can place several figures in one case; auto-arrange packs them and warns you if the result is bigger than your print bed. The free trial makes one figure per case.
What does it cost?
The trial gives you three cases for an email address, with no card; trial cases carry a small watermark. After that, Pro is $3.99 a month, $26.90 a year or $33.90 once for lifetime access.
Carve a case around your own miniature
Drop the STL into your browser, tune the clearance, and download a case with a sliding lid. Three free cases on an email address — no card.
Start the free trial