New service for making a custom of you?

[Michael Crawford]

These guys sent me some info today on their service - you send them a side and front portrait, they create first a 3D model, then for $99, they'll create a solid plastic sixth scale head sculpt:

https://tinyurl.com/bfrltl

Sounds like it has potential, although I can't vouch for how well it works yet. I've requested some more specific info from them though, and I've suggested we do one to show folks how well it works...or doesn't.

 

[EVILFACE]

Interesting. Wonder if you can send pics of anyone . .

 

[Darthrazz]

Interesting. Wonder if you can send pics of anyone . .

That's what I was thinking! "Of course I'm Samuel L. Jackson!"

 

[Michael Crawford]

"No, really, I look just like Adam West in a Batman costume..."

 

[Michael Crawford]

Of course, this also opens up all kinds of potential for much improved voodoo dolls.

 

[Agent0028]

I bet there's rules against famous people. But if not and this looks good I may finally get my Dean Martin figure. Otherwise I wouldn't mind getting one of myself and kitbashing it into a Jedi, because yes I am that big of a geek.

 

[Michael Crawford]

Like I said, I have a bunch of questions in to them to see about the details. I'm betting the neck is solid and you need to drill it out, but that might be good, allowing you some flexibility in what body you use.

 

[Shropt]

This kind of technology makes me wonder why we are still getting hand-sculpted figure heads. Isn't it quicker, easier, and more realistic to do this?

 

[Michael Crawford]

The technology has been in place for years now. However, without intervention, they machine produced sculpts tend to look much like a mannequin or zombie.

 

[Agent0028]

I seem to recall a similar debate when Sideshow first started doing Star Wars comparing their sculpts to GG's scans.

 

[yruh8n]

Go look at any of the Reel Scanned wrestling figures. While the 3d print out helps, it still needs to be worked over by a human artist. Many frankly do not turn out well. I would be interested in seeing some sculptors input on this. Obviously it has the potential to be a threat to their financial livelyhood, but I would be interested in their thoughts about the actual process. Portrait sculptors I have spoken with say it takes several pictures from many different angles to truley capture a likeness. I think with only a front and side view what you may end up with is something like a Tonner or Barbie head. Some resemblence may be implied, but I doubt you will get anything close to what a human sculptor could do, on this level. I'm sure someday the technology will adavnce to the point that a perfect reproduction at any scale could be achieved from a full 3d scan, but from only a front and profile picture I can't see it turning out that great

 

[Michael Crawford]

Yep, you need look no further than GG's work, which is wildly inconsistent, especially when they do work for other companies. A lot of that inconsistency is going the cheaper route and only having GG do a scanned head with no additional human intervention.

 

[yruh8n]

Yep, you need look no further than GG's work, which is wildly inconsistent, especially when they do work for other companies. A lot of that inconsistency is going the cheaper route and only having GG do a scanned head with no additional human intervention.

Not only that the artist doing the intervention needs to have a skill level that they could produce the same quality sculpt themselves. The scans purpose should be to provide the right scale and proportions so the artist only task is to enhance what is already there and bring out the portrait.

 

[pixletwin]

This kind of technology makes me wonder why we are still getting hand-sculpted figure heads. Isn't it quicker, easier, and more realistic to do this?

If SS or Hottoys ever went this way I would strait up stop collecting. 3-D imaging is fine for the cheaper companies like Hasbro or Toybiz, but from a collectibles company I expect a work of art, not an automated McProduct.

 

[icruise]

Looking at the site, it seems that the action figure head actually costs $99 (the products are "from $49"). I imagine that they require that you take pictures with very specific requirements, so you wouldn't be able to just send in some random pictures of a celebrity and expect it to work, even if they didn't have a rule against it (not sure if they do or not). They do have pictures of an Obama and Bruce Willis sculpt, though...

The surface of the sculpts seem on the rough side somehow.

 

[Michael Crawford]

From the demos, it looks like the photos just need to be a clear front and side portrait.

It also looks like they are designed to work with the TT bodies, although the fit looked a little loose in the one demo. The biggest con seems to be the lack of hair on the top of the head - I'm not a good enough customizer to add my own hair, although with the right head covering it wouldn't be necessary.

I'm tempted to have them do one of me to do an article on the whole process.

 

[Mighty_Jabba]

If SS or Hottoys ever went this way I would strait up stop collecting. 3-D imaging is fine for the cheaper companies like Hasbro or Toybiz, but from a collectibles company I expect a work of art, not an automated McProduct.

My thoughts exactly. What would be the point of collecting if these things were done by machines? When I put a figure on my shelf it's not only so I could have a representation of the character that I love, but also because I want to marvel at the artistry and craftsmanship that was put in those figures - from the headsculpt, through the clothing and in some way paint job, though that seems to be a weak part on many figures.
Also, even if machines could create a perfect likness they would not infuse it with any personality imho.

 

[saintsyn]

From what I see it looks like once the basic shape of the plastic head is contoured, the "face" is screen printed over it. The samples they have look interesting.....

 

[Agent0028]

From the demos, it looks like the photos just need to be a clear front and side portrait.

It also looks like they are designed to work with the TT bodies, although the fit looked a little loose in the one demo. The biggest con seems to be the lack of hair on the top of the head - I'm not a good enough customizer to add my own hair, although with the right head covering it wouldn't be necessary.

I'm tempted to have them do one of me to do an article on the whole process.

Take one for the community.

If I were them I would probably do one for free since it'd be free publicity and will bring in more customers. Unless of course it turns out poorly in which case it would be a bad idea. Guess it depends on how much faith they have in their product.

Didn't realize it doesn't come with hair. I guess I assumed hair would be included, but I can see how that may be too difficult to produce through the process. But if the head was good enough I'd pay a customizer to get me a toupee.

 

[Darthrazz]

Take one for the community.

If I were them I would probably do one for free since it'd be free publicity and will bring in more customers. Unless of course it turns out poorly in which case it would be a bad idea. Guess it depends on how much faith they have in their product.

Didn't realize it doesn't come with hair. I guess I assumed hair would be included, but I can see how that may be too difficult to produce through the process. But if the head was good enough I'd pay a customizer to get me a toupee.

Good idea, see if they'll make one for free of you.