I worked on designing and building a new puzzle box for the 3D print pen escape room. The original idea had been to use something similar to a verification symbol on money bills. On one side is one symbol, on the other side is another symbol, when the bill is held up to the light, the symbols align to form a number. I wanted to create something similar using the shadow of a 3D printed object.
I envisioned a small box. When the box was opened, a light would turn on and shine upon a symbol printed on the inside top lid. When the 3D printed object (made from another template) was positioned correctly in front of the light, the shadows would create the outlines of an image that represented a four letter word. I wish I had a picture, but I was using the flashlight on my phone.
This method, while cool in theory, was difficult to execute without the right materials. For one, we needed a strong point light inside the box. And also, if the guest were to incorrectly print the template, it would never align or form a recognizable image.
So instead, I decided to 3D print the base of the symbol instead, and to add the template for the corresponding symbol in the beginning preshow training. This way, guests weren’t held up during the experience by the printing process, but could see that their badge aligned neatly with the symbol.
During early playtesting with kids, we found that we needed to add an additional clue to the inside of the box to show that the symbol was supposed to convert to a 4 letter word.
I also this week rebuilt a cleaner version of one of the puzzles to make it easier to reset. The older version didn’t have a hole in the back to easily replace the key and remove scraps of plastic filament that got stuck.
At the end of the week, I worked on writing the script, filming, and editing the preshow video. This was a really fun experience! One of the facilitators who was trained in acting came and performed the experience for us. Working on the preshow video made me realize how important it is to be short, concise, and clear.
