From Idea to 3D Print: Making Custom Shower Curtain Hangers
Before we dive in, a quick note:
You’ll find the full video tutorial at the end of this post if you’d rather watch the process in action.
This project and post are not sponsored or associated with any company.
If you’d like to skip designing and go straight to printing, you can grab the ready-to-print STL and 3MF files on [Etsy], [Cults3D], or [Gumroad].
I forgot to buy hangers for my shower curtain—so instead of heading to the store, I designed and 3D printed them. This project combines AI, vector tracing, Fusion, and a slicer workflow.
Starting with AI
The design begins in ChatGPT. My first attempt produced something completely off, which was funny to see. The second prompt was more precise and gave me a solid draft to refine later in Fusion.
Speeding Up Image Tracing
Manual tracing takes time, so I use Inkscape, a free and powerful tool. A black-and-white image makes edge detection quick and accurate. After applying the trace, I delete the original image and save the result as an SVG file.
This SVG is then imported into Fusion and scaled if necessary.
Setting Up in Fusion
The first rule in Fusion is simple: create a new component. Giving it a clear name makes the workflow easier.
Next, I insert the SVG file on the flat horizontal construction plane. At this stage you can flip or scale it if needed. I had already checked the size, so I continued without adjustments.
When the sketch appears green, it means a Fix Constraint is applied, which locks the geometry. To remove it, edit the sketch, select everything, and unlock. The sketch turns blue—now it’s editable.
Refining the Sketch
I trim away unnecessary parts and start shaping the hanger. The Trim tool makes this simple.
For the hanger boundary, I add a new sketch with enough clearance for the curtain rod. Too tight and it won’t slide properly. Using the Offset tool (shortcut O) I set a 3 mm offset, balancing strength, print time, and durability.
Then comes the small hook that will hold the curtain. Circles and arcs give predictable geometry, while splines allow for freeform design. When working with splines, keep control points minimal and adjust the curvature with the green handles.
Building the Model
Once the profiles are ready, it’s time to extrude. I set one body to 3 mm and another to 4 mm. Different heights create a nice layered look, even on a single-color print. If you’re using a multi-color printer, you can assign colors to different bodies and export as a 3MF file.
Change the operation type from Join to New Body to keep parts separate. If you miss any profiles, edit the extrude feature and add them in.
Before moving on, I hide the sketches and inspect the model with the view cube to confirm everything looks correct.
Adding Finishing Touches
To polish the design, I use Chamfers and Fillets to soften sharp edges. This improves both look and feel.
I save the project, then right-click the component and choose Save as Mesh, exporting as an STL file.
Slicing and Printing
In PrusaSlicer, the file imports centered on the build plate. I fill the bed with multiple aligned instances and check the slicer’s suggested layer break. A quick manual check confirms everything is good, and then I slice again.
Since this print is a tight fit, I make sure my build plate is properly aligned before starting the print.
The Result
The print turned out great. You can grab the ready-to-print files directly on [Etsy], [Cults3D], or [Gumroad].
If you enjoyed this workflow, check out my honeycomb pattern tutorial—it’s quick, fun, and one of the most popular on the channel.
Here’s the full video tutorial so you can follow along step by step:
⏱ Chapters
00:07 Start your 3D design with ChatGPT
00:26 How to trace images into SVG with Inkscape
00:50 The first rule when modeling in Fusion
01:02 How to insert an SVG file in Fusion
01:36 How to unfix sketches in Fusion
02:13 How to trim sketches in Fusion
02:53 Add a 2-point circle for your hanger design
03:53 How to sketch with Splines in Fusion
04:25 How to offset Splines in Fusion
05:10 How to extrude to different heights in Fusion
06:21 Fusion operation type explained
06:40 Fixing missed extrudes in Fusion timeline
07:18 3D printing tips for multi-color printers
07:46 How to add appearances in Fusion
08:10 How to refine edges with chamfers and fillets
08:44 How to save and export in Fusion
08:59 Export as mesh file in Fusion
09:18 How to import STL into PrusaSlicer
09:30 How to fill the print bed with multiple objects
09:46 How to add manual layer changes for color swap
10:44 More Fusion and 3D printing tutorials by The Maker Letters