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SketchCam (Files Only)
€ 29,00
SketchCam Files Only – Build your own instant sketch camera The SketchCam Files Only lets you build a camera that takes a picture and turns it into a physical line drawing within minutes. Powered by a Raspberry Pi and simple servos, it’s a hybrid of photography, robotics, and art. What’s inside Bill Of Materials (BOM) […]
Description
SketchCam Files Only – Build your own instant sketch camera
The SketchCam Files Only lets you build a camera that takes a picture and turns it into a physical line drawing within minutes. Powered by a Raspberry Pi and simple servos, it’s a hybrid of photography, robotics, and art.
What’s inside
- Bill Of Materials (BOM) – Total price will be around $60. BOM is specified below!
- 3D printable STL files
- Full source code
- Assembly guide video (linked at bottom of this page!)
- Access to the Discord Server (request access here: https://discord.gg/C2uARNzd)
What you’ll need
- 3D printer
- Parts from the Bill Of Materials below
- Knowledge of how to flash an SD card with an image
- Basic maker tools (long small philips screwdriver & soldering iron)
- Compatible power bank (5V, 4.5A, but lower should probably work too. I use the Iniu B61)
- Pen (fine liner or low friction ball point) and paper
How it works
- The camera captures a photo.
- The onboard processor converts it into clean vector lines.
- The servos trace those lines on paper, stroke by stroke.
The result? A unique hand-drawn sketch of your scene, made by a machine you built yourself.
For who
Perfect for hobbyists, educators, and anyone who enjoys combining code, motion, and creativity. Whether you want a weekend build or a new showpiece for your maker desk, the SketchCam Kit is an experience that turns pixels into pen lines.
Build time: 5-6 hours
Drawing time: ~3 minutes per sketch
Bill of Materials (hey Bill!)
Raspberry Pi Zero W €18 (I took the one with presoldered headers)
3D printed parts: € 5,- (from your download!)
Camera: €5 (Raspberry Pi AF Camera 5MP OV5647 Auto Focus 65° 15Pin Interface Camera Module for RPi 5 4B 3B+ 3B Zero 2 W, https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005005928324800.html)
Camera flex cable standard to mini 20cm: €1 (https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005005928324800.html)
PWM driver PCA9685: €3 (PCA9685 16 Channel 12-bit PWM/Servo Driver-I2C interface PCA9685 module Raspberry pi shield module servo shield https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005004959076770.html)
Assorted M2 screws (get yourself a kit, with M2*6mm through M2 * 12mm): €1
(Optional) 9x Brass M2*8mm screw: €1 (depending on the look you want)
Dupont wires Female – Female 20cm: €1 (get yourself high quality ones if you can find them)
Push button: €1 (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006687000578.html, the one I used has a base which is 12x12mm and 3mm thick. The actual pushable part is sticking out 1.8mm upwards)
Small USB cable: €2 (micro USB 90 degrees <-> USB A 90 degrees 15 cm https://www.amazon.nl/HOTNOW-micro-USB-kabel-gevlochten-high-speed-snellaadkabel/dp/B0FHW488TG)
Velcro straps: €1 (15mm x 0.5m Rocoren Cable Organizer Wire Winder USB Cable Management Charger Protector For Phone Mouse Earphone Cable Holder Cord Protection https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005005392210702.html)
3x original SG92R servo: €20
One small rubber band: €0
Micro SD card for Raspberry Pi (>16 GB, take a decent brand): €4
Total: € 62,-
Assembly Guide Video:
