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Other Stuff => General Wargames and Hobby Discussion => Topic started by: nozza_uk on 21 June 2024, 09:41:12 AM

Title: Re: A question for the 3D printers out there
Post by: nozza_uk on 21 June 2024, 09:41:12 AM
Say I wanted to some 28mm figures based on characters from a well known TV show, how would I go about getting someone to sculpt and produce some 'lookalike' figures for me?

Does anyone offer this service? If they do, what would the approx cost be (how long is a piece of string...)?
Title: Re: Hypothetical question on commissioning custom sculpts
Post by: Dags on 21 June 2024, 10:17:31 AM
It maybe stating the bleeding obvious but Contact a sculptor and ask them! (there are several here on LAF)
Some *may* have issues with IP infringement (especially if you wanted to commercially produce)

Title: Re: Hypothetical question on commissioning custom sculpts
Post by: Citizen Sade on 21 June 2024, 10:32:42 AM
In your shoes, I’d have a good search for 3D prints of what you want as a first step. There are a lot of ‘not’ creations already out there many, for understandable reasons, are not promoted as what they’re supposed to be.

If not, commissioning or creating some concept art will help you and the sculptor visualise what you want and answers questions about pose, equipment etc. With that in hand, you can approach traditional or digital sculptors for help.

In my limited and aged experience, for traditional and decent fantasy sculptors will be looking for £300 or more for a single man-sized model. Then you have to consider the cost of moulds, casting metal, spins etc. Not a cheap endeavour.
Title: Re: Hypothetical question on commissioning custom sculpts
Post by: nozza_uk on 21 June 2024, 02:28:17 PM
It maybe stating the bleeding obvious but Contact a sculptor and ask them! (there are several here on LAF)
Some *may* have issues with IP infringement (especially if you wanted to commercially produce)

Yes, I know there are sculptors on here, I just wanted to ask the question before wasting anyones time.

I should mention, I'm not looking to commercially produce anything, just looking to fill a gap in my collection.
Title: Re: Hypothetical question on commissioning custom sculpts
Post by: nozza_uk on 21 June 2024, 02:29:53 PM
In your shoes, I’d have a good search for 3D prints of what you want as a first step. There are a lot of ‘not’ creations already out there many, for understandable reasons, are not promoted as what they’re supposed to be.

If not, commissioning or creating some concept art will help you and the sculptor visualise what you want and answers questions about pose, equipment etc. With that in hand, you can approach traditional or digital sculptors for help.

In my limited and aged experience, for traditional and decent fantasy sculptors will be looking for £300 or more for a single man-sized model. Then you have to consider the cost of moulds, casting metal, spins etc. Not a cheap endeavour.

I've searched far and wide to find 'not' 3d prints of what I'm after and as far as I can tell, they simply don't exist.
Title: Re: Hypothetical question on commissioning custom sculpts
Post by: Kikuchiyo on 21 June 2024, 02:40:19 PM
Who is it you are after?
Title: Re: Hypothetical question on commissioning custom sculpts
Post by: nozza_uk on 21 June 2024, 03:57:58 PM
Who is it you are after?

Versions of the Bridge crews from Deep Space Nine and Voyager.

Tuvok and the EMH (and generic crew) have been produced by RavenX. However, RavenX has been quiet for nearly a year and I cannot find anyone else who does 'not' Trek. In the worse case scenario, I could get hold of the Sally 4th space crew and do some head swaps.
Title: Re: Hypothetical question on commissioning custom sculpts
Post by: Kikuchiyo on 21 June 2024, 05:50:41 PM
https://modiphius.net/collections/star-trek-adventures/star-trek_3d-print?page=1

Is also an option, I thought they used to sell sets for all the crews but seem to only 3d print now
Title: Re: Hypothetical question on commissioning custom sculpts
Post by: nozza_uk on 21 June 2024, 09:11:26 PM
Thanks for sharing the Modiphius range. I got them when they were first released. Had high hopes that they would go on beyond The Original Series and Next Gen.

Same with Trek Heroclix, stopped at TOS and Next Gen.
Title: Re: Hypothetical question on commissioning custom sculpts
Post by: Kikuchiyo on 21 June 2024, 11:37:09 PM
I think they planned to but nothing came of it

There were even pre order listing in some online stores

Title: Re: A question for the 3D printers out there
Post by: nozza_uk on 09 August 2024, 07:38:46 AM
I found these 'free' Star Trek 3D models on cults3d. However, not being a 3D printer, I have no idea how they would print or the quality of the models. So, before I seek out a commercial printing service, could someone who does 3D printing take a look for me please? Not asking for someone to print out the model, just whether the models are worth printing.

https://cults3d.com/en/users/Ellie_Valkyrie/designs-search?q=trek (https://cults3d.com/en/users/Ellie_Valkyrie/designs-search?q=trek)
Title: Re: A question for the 3D printers out there
Post by: monk2002uk on 09 August 2024, 09:29:02 AM
The figures remind me of Irregular Miniatures sculpts from the 1980s. Technically they seem fine but the sculpting is relatively crude, compared to many other 28mm examples in other domains. Having sculpted in 3D, my comments are not a criticism - just an observation. The figures are FREE and in that context are better than most, which typically have lower polygon counts.

Robert
Title: Re: A question for the 3D printers out there
Post by: Cypher226 on 13 August 2024, 04:41:59 PM
I'd suggest contacting RavenX and ask if he'd be interested in the commission; link to his Gumroad store page (https://ravenx.gumroad.com/)
Title: Re: A question for the 3D printers out there
Post by: nozza_uk on 15 August 2024, 07:33:24 PM
I'd suggest contacting RavenX and ask if he'd be interested in the commission; link to his Gumroad store page (https://ravenx.gumroad.com/)

Thanks for sharing. I'm big fan of Ravenx and have printed all their Trek stuff. However, it looks like Ravenx hasn't been active for over a year.

Anyway, I've found an alternative now.
Title: Re: A question for the 3D printers out there
Post by: Cypher226 on 03 September 2024, 11:14:06 AM
@nozza_uk - I know you say you've found a solution, but for awareness, RavenX posts new stuff on Facebook, his last post was August 31st - so he is still active. He also confirmed on a recent pose he is planning to do more Trek.
Title: Re: A question for the 3D printers out there
Post by: nozza_uk on 06 September 2024, 05:44:32 PM
Thanks for the heads up. I will keep an eye out and see what gets produced.