Get a 3D printer guys...they are worth the money!

[darth dennis]

You can get pretty good results with a PLA printer but you're going to either spend a lot of time printing or a lot of time post-print sanding, priming, sanding, priming (repeat A LOT) to get the look you're going for. It was easier on large prints like the pieces for the above Fett action figure than it has been for smaller scale items to get the desired look. This was about 300 hours of print time with almost no infill and a .8 nozzle with .3 layer height. It would easily have been over a thousand print hours with infill of even 25%. I've been interested in resin printers for a while but like others have said the landscape is pretty intimidating.

 

[nikgrid]

Very nice work! Impressive modelling skills there. Have you thought about making the files available on something like CG Trader?

Hehe believe it or not the Speeder Bike is from Battlefront 2

 

[nikgrid]

View attachment 560591

You can get pretty good results with a PLA printer but you're going to either spend a lot of time printing or a lot of time post-print sanding, priming, sanding, priming (repeat A LOT) to get the look you're going for. It was easier on large prints like the pieces for the above Fett action figure than it has been for smaller scale items to get the desired look. This was about 300 hours of print time with almost no infill and a .8 nozzle with .3 layer height. It would easily have been over a thousand print hours with infill of even 25%. I've been interested in resin printers for a while but like others have said the landscape is pretty intimidating.

Nice! My wife would hate that...but I ******* love it!

 

[nikgrid]

I know, right?!

I just got a Elegoo Saturn a few months ago, and it's just so much easier to get stuff accomplished. I've only made a few things so far, but they have all been amazing. There is a definite learning curve, at least for me. There was much clenching of fists, and gnashing of teeth at times, but it all worked out.

I'm almost done with my first project, which is a Mimban Stormtrooper from Solo: A Star Wars Story. I printed the forehead armor on my 3D printer. So far this thing looks great. Before I got the Saturn I spent months ruminating over how I was going to scratch build that forehead armor in a convincing way.

3D printers are totally worth it!

View attachment 532298

Mate that is AWESOME! I have made a Stormy as well, and he came out pretty good. Forgive the grey boots, I've yet to paint those lol

 

[nikgrid]

Speeder bike is nearly done, and I also started making bases

 

[histrionics]

View attachment 560591

You can get pretty good results with a PLA printer but you're going to either spend a lot of time printing or a lot of time post-print sanding, priming, sanding, priming (repeat A LOT) to get the look you're going for. It was easier on large prints like the pieces for the above Fett action figure than it has been for smaller scale items to get the desired look. This was about 300 hours of print time with almost no infill and a .8 nozzle with .3 layer height. It would easily have been over a thousand print hours with infill of even 25%. I've been interested in resin printers for a while but like others have said the landscape is pretty intimidating.

The Wampa rug, though...

 

[Garlador]

I'm thinking of making custom Dark Souls figures, and I'm not sure what the best route to go with 3D printing here is. It's certainly overwhelming - do I go with resin? How skilled am I at touching up the 3D model itself? Should I just commission someone to print it for me? Etc. - but it definitely seems more feasible looking at what's out there currently.

 

[nikgrid]

I'm thinking of making custom Dark Souls figures, and I'm not sure what the best route to go with 3D printing here is. It's certainly overwhelming - do I go with resin?

Well If I was making a dark souls 1/6 figure, firstly I would see what free objects there are available, and failing that what ones are for sale, such as weapons and armour. I don't know much about Dark Souls I am a gamer but I'm not down for getting killed every 10 seconds

When I made my Storm Trooper armour I used some Cosplay armour and reduced it to the correct scale then thickened it up using meshmixer. Thingiverse has some options available certainly not impossible, but tricky because they seem to be a little Lo-res but that can be fixed using meshmixer.

Maybe the figures have been ripped from the game? Like I said my Speeder Bike was from SWBF2. Here's some results I came up with

https://www.yeggi.com/q/dark+souls/
The SB was one of the first things I've printed for my HT, since I've printed R2, Han in Carbonite, an Indiana Jones base and my Stormy all 1/6. Give it a go mate and post progress pics

 

[slynger]

I've been kicking the idea around. That lifesize Kenner Fett that Darth Dennis has, I want to do but in 1:2 scale. Other projects I would probably go 1:4 or 1:5.

What's a good printer to get for stuff like this?

 

[Rotfish]

I've been kicking the idea around. That lifesize Kenner Fett that Darth Dennis has, I want to do but in 1:2 scale. Other projects I would probably go 1:4 or 1:5.

What's a good printer to get for stuff like this?

You'll have to split your model into pieces, so it comes down to how many pieces you want to work with and how big they are.

I've been looking into printers with a build area of at least 9" one way. Anycubic and Elegoo make some nice resin printers in that size for around $400. Elegoo's Jupiter can do 12", but the price jumps to $1300.

 

[slynger]

You'll have to split your model into pieces, so it comes down to how many pieces you want to work with and how big they are.

I've been looking into printers with a build area of at least 9" one way. Anycubic and Elegoo make some nice resin printers in that size for around $400. Elegoo's Jupiter can do 12", but the price jumps to $1300.

I don't mind the pieces part as I expected that, just want a quality printer that could handle some of the finer details if I go this route.

 

[Rotfish]

Not sure how helpful this is, but I found these videos interesting. Seems like while higher-resolution screens should produce greater detail in theory, the improvements can be marginal or even negligible depending on a number of factors.

Miniac makes miniatures, but has some great HQ close-ups and discusses the inconsistencies that can occur when 3D printing. This video compares 2.5K to 4K and then 8K.


Uncle Jessy is one of the most popular 3D printing channels on YouTube, the guy's owned and experimented with tons of machines. Here he compares 2K and 4K.

 

[xoff]

Speeder bike is nearly done, and I also started making bases

really nice !

I just ordered an Ender 3 V2 and I would be interested to work on a base like your indiana jones one.
Is it possible to get the model somewhere ?

Thanks !

 

[Raymond F.]

The issue for me is not so much the printer it’s the sculpting programs. In my opinion there is a lot of advancement needed and pioneering to transition these programs from a left brain tech type approach to a more intuitive artistic and creative minded approach like say the adobe programs have mastered which makes illustration, photography, graphic and motion design not only intuitive but an actual enhancement upon traditional means of doing do (not to say that there are still not aesthetic benefits from traditional art means that cannot be captured digitally fully)

I see a stark contrast however with digital sculpting… it’s caught some where between developing and artistry… given the massive industry that is the gaming and film industry I can see how there hasn’t been urgency to update this but technical use of the programs have not closed the gap thst allows more holistic vision such as an art director, to use the tools to solve the problems on their own such as they would with adobe programs… the programs are just not intuitive even after got past the learning curve.

one day it will get there and I’ll gladly get to sculpting and printing on them. Until now I have my technical artistic skill and I’ll put it to more practical use

 

[Lejuan]

I don't know if it's the sculpting programs per se so much as the reliance on traditional peripherals to bridge the gap between 2D interface and 3D modelling space which negates truly intuitive engagement. Various players have been developing haptic devices for years and never managed to deliver a consumer-level solution.

 

[roninjai]

If I'm looking to print stuff like headsculpts, should I just be looking at resin printers?

 

[Chubs&Doggers]

Some amazing and inspiring work here! The plan is to eventually get a printer and get this printed up..

 

[gooboo]

Been seeing a lot of great 1/6 stuff made with 3d printers, here and elsewhere on the internet. I'm thinking about getting an Elegoo sometime in the next few months.

 

[Sixth Scale Man]

I’ve personally been really happy with my Elegoo Saturn. I’ve had a few fails - down to incorrect supports, but overall it’s been a positive experience. A few things to consider when looking to get a resin printer (which I don’t think anyone has covered-forgive me if they have).
- Being UV activated, you need an enclosed or sunlight free space.
- Ventilation is important since the fumes can be strong and not good for you.
- PPE like nitrile gloves are important. Cleanup also requires a lot of wipes/paper towels/isopropyl.
- A washing/curing station.

You’ll also need to get familiar with Chitubox or Lychee slicing software. I made the move to Lychee and it’s been really good.

I usually buy stl files from Gambody and CG Trader. Gambody has great after sales support.
Thingiverse has some nice free models.

Hope that helps a bit. If you enjoy painting models, you’ll probably love what you can print and paint. Here’s a few examples.

 

[Bgnyc007]

Bumping this thread any good suggestions for 3D printing I want something that can make 1/6 accessories & dioramas. I’m open to suggestions in my research thanks.