15mm Robots - PAINTED!

[Sangennaru]

Hi everyone!

I was wondering if it was possible to print in shapeways a whole army in 15mm, since the cost is mainly due to the volume used, and a 15mm miniature uses usually 10 times less material than a 30-32 mm one.

so i made some tests, and i checked the prices: with the most expensive material (FUD) the minis cost around 30-40 cents each, or even less!
and, since they are 3D printed, it is possible to add holes and details that with metal casting are totally impossible.
so, that's what i made so far.



I looked for some skeletal plugin for Sketchup but with very poor results, so i decided to move the various components roughly. I'm pretty pleased by the result anyways.



Still, i've to make weapons and to find better poses.  

I will make the order soon, and in a couple of weeks i will post updates with the printed models.
If you have any suggestions in the while, i'll make some more sculpts before sending to Shapeways!

[Dargoth]

Aren't the parts in your models too thin for 3dp? (Torso)

[Dewbakuk]

That's cool, I'll definitely be interested in seeing the results.

You want a kneeling pose

[Sangennaru]

Aren't the parts in your models too thin for 3dp? (Torso)

i've always kept all the part wider than 0,7 mm, and the initial printability check says it's fine! But i'll ask the shapeways team, that's a concern for sure!

That's cool, I'll definitely be interested in seeing the results.

You want a kneeling pose

Sure thing! This afternoon i'll work on this!

[YPU]

Very curious to see this progress!

[Sangennaru]

Kneeling one done!



Since they are robots, the weapons will NOT be held by hands, i'd say never =)

[Sangennaru]

Some new "classes"... will be included in the test prints!

[Conquistador]

Very interesting!  And, being robots, the same figure/pose in numbers shouldn't be a problem!

Nice work!

For the first time, I clicked "Notify me of replies" option!

Gracias,

Glenn

[Vermis]

so i made some tests, and i checked the prices: with the most expensive material (FUD) the minis cost around 30-40 cents each, or even less!

Cor blimey!

Last I heard (some time ago) even Shapeways' FUD had a bit of a fuzzy surface. Is that still the case? Nevertheless, I'm also very interested to see how this project turns out.

[Sangennaru]

Cor blimey!

Last I heard (some time ago) even Shapeways' FUD had a bit of a fuzzy surface. Is that still the case? Nevertheless, I'm also very interested to see how this project turns out.

I've been using FUD for a lot of projects (the first one was: http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=36578.5), and well, all the 3d prints from shapeways should stay away from washes and drybrush. The biggest problem is that sometimes on some angles the surface is really different than others... and that could be quite irritating! :S

Still, id like to make a test, since i've to print more Aeronef and some other scenery!

[Ajsalium]

In the grim darkness of the future, there's only well-mannered robots.
The battle for our hearts begins here!

[Sangennaru]

Rocket launchers!!!



Standing and walking (probably at a traffic light)

[Dentatus]

Gosh... great ideas. I definitely want to see more.

They remind me of the aliens in Battle: L.A. Not as organic, but the integrated weapons, the spindly frames, the head.

[underfirewargaming]

Very cool stuff man!, have you though of getting them printed and casted instead of doing just straight up prints? Shapeways prints even at the best ultra fine detail still have some lines that come through, I tested some old sculpts on them here:

http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a472/underfire987/IMG_2101.jpg

http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a472/underfire987/IMG_2099.jpg

http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a472/underfire987/IMG_2103.jpg

You can see that the lining still shows through, if you just wanted to go through printed then it can be done, however you would need to print in the resin for harder material for gaming, and it will not be near the detail on these guys which didn't show as much as the 3D print did. Later I had resculpts done of them for 28mm ( their 38mm tall to be in scale with human miniatures ) and had the masters printed off at Moddler and the level of detail is much better:

http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a472/underfire987/IMG_2193.jpg

However these master prints are not something you would want too just run the company through prints as each one of these costs  quite a fair amount too print. However they are very good for casting and I find still casting methods far outdo anything printing on the level of amount produced in time and price per each cast compared too each print. Let alone better material quality for gaming as well .

However I defiantly encourage you to give it a go regardless which path you decide on going on. I think 3D printing and digital miniatures really is a great way too create an entire line of similar miniatures in a much more cost effective method !.

Best of luck with your work and look forward to seeing them coming out!.

with best regards - Shawn.

[Dewbakuk]

Shawn, was that printed by Shapeways? Just had a look for Moddler on their site but couldn't find anything.