I've been experimenting with 3D printing for a couple of years now. I started using an XYZPrinting SLA printer, and after that failed decided to try one of the inexpensive filament printers. It turns out that two years make a huge difference in quality. Using a Prusa i3 clone, made by Wanhao(duplicator i3 plus), I've been able to print at lot of interesting terrain. I'm only printing at .2mm resolution here, which is half the vertical resolution possible, but that is just due to impatience on my part. My goal is to have a new model to paint every day. The prints do require finishing, but the bones are here for some really nice resin-ish quality terrain.
Since I'm currently printing in PLA, the only way to finish a model is to sand it. However, once this spool is done, I'm going to switch to ABS (lego plastic), which can be smoothed using acetone. With that with, the time between printing a model, and having it ready to paint will be nominal.
I'm still dialing in my printer, so the quality keeps improving. I've even printed out some printer parts to upgrade the printer itself!
I'll send you my order right away! ;) Anyway, amazing progress on this front and good to hear from a discerning source like yourself.
ReplyDeleteAre you modeling these yourself, or just getting models from websites and running them through the software? I've been interested in getting into this as well.
ReplyDeleteI've been joining kickstarter campaigns for terrain for a while now. I've just now shown off much of it because it was unreasonably expensive. My first foray into this cost around 4k. Now that a $360 dollar printer from micro center is good enough, I'm in.
DeleteHi John, i'd be interested in showing you some 3D printed stuff I have been working on, how can I contact you?
DeleteThat's F***ing cool. So we'll just be buying printers and files from companies and the converting with be done to the file in z brush before we even touch the mini - Wait - now that thought makes me sad :( No! I will still use primitive tools and spill my own blood converting things XD
ReplyDeletefunny enough, I found a warlord titan STL online and have been chopping it up this way. I don't know how much effort I'll be putting into it, but has been a fun little experiment.
DeleteHand convertor for life! #I'mWithZab LOL
DeleteHand converter...made me think that you were an advocate for robotic limbs for a second! The printer is just a tool. Use like you would anything else.
DeleteThat is good work. I look forward to seeing them painted up.
ReplyDeleteFascinating stuff, are the 3d model your own or downloaded? Just looked myself at them based on this post, you can pick them up for just £127! Unbelievable!
ReplyDeleteI think the 3D model pack only cost $30 US dollars, but I don't quite remember.
DeleteVery cool man!!
ReplyDeleteThat is exemplary! Lovely stuff man, we really are living in the future. Looking forward to seeing more of them come off the printer!
ReplyDeleteThose are really good, I think the 3D printing is going to be the future, at least for scenery and terrain if not for miniatures also!!.
ReplyDeleteWhoa ... those look mighty impressive. The future looks very bright for 3D printing.
ReplyDeleteVery cool. Do you have a finished model to show, so we can see the difference between them?
ReplyDeleteI have started down this path as well, but I do not have a printer of my own (yet?).
Not yet. I am cleaning them up for painting now. The models are really nice quality. I'll post photos as I finish them don't worry!
DeleteI'm imagining you printing Zab a new hand after he's run out of fingers.....
ReplyDeleteKev Spyrle is printing his own Alligators (counts as Chimerae of course) atm.
Looking good!
ReplyDeleteThe model looks great, just wondering, you mentioned Sla printer failed? Having working for a 3D printing services company, i believe sla is one of the best technologies, what problems did you face with that?
ReplyDeleteThe firmware failed after a year. The prints were pretty terrible as well, but I suppose that is what you get with a first gen printer. I had an XYZPrinting nobel 1.0. It is now in the dumpster.
DeleteWhere are the STL's from?
ReplyDeleteThey are from a kickstarter called 3D Printed Terrain. At least that is what I remember.
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