Valve Released Files Enabling Us to Print Ourselves a Steam Deck

Valve has released CAD files that enable owners of 3D printers to print their own Steam Deck. In a short announcement posted by the company in the news about this portable PC, we can read that users can access STP, STL and DWG model under the Creative Commons license.

Print Your Own Steam Deck

If you're not quite sure why such files should be made available at all, the answer is simple - it's to customize your device.

1. Thanks to access to CAD files, users of 3D printers will be able to print their own case or its elements.
2. Since this is a Creative Commons license, we can expect modder creations to flood the Internet soon.
3. In Valve's announcement we read that the company is open to the creativity of users:

1. Once again, it is worth emphasizing - CAD files do not enable us to print the Deck itself, but only something that can be described as its dummy.

Steam Deck construction diagram, source: GitLab.

Valve will support modders

In the readme fire, which can be found at GitLab, the company shares its email address, encouraging designers to send in their work.

1. What's more, Valve is also open to questions, requests, and feelings of users who decide to modify their device.
2. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that damage done in the process of modifying a Steam Deck is not covered under warranty, so creativity is welcome, but within reason.

Even if you don't have a 3D printer, just analyzing the schematics can be a lot of fun, source: GitLab.

Steam Deck is approaching

The CAD files were made available two weeks before the first shipments of the device (although it has already reached some developers, journalists and youtubers).

1. The editors of Linus Tech Tips and GamersNexus channels have jointly made an in-depth analysis of Steam Deck components, literally taking the device apart.
2. Developers, on the other hand, took a more down-to-earth approach to the topic by testing their games on the device. According to their opinion games run without any major problems.
3. The atmosphere of anticipation was also fueled by youtuber The Phawx, who decided to compare Steam Deck to various portable consoles and... a banana. The conclusion of this comparison is one - Valve's device is large for a handheld.
4. The first units of Steam Deck will be shipped on February 28 and if you decide to order it now, you will have to wait for the delivery until the second half of 2022.

1. Official Steam Deck Website
2. Steam Deck on Steam