TM2 Dinobot Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 So, I don't know how many of you are aware, but Shapeways is a 3D printing company that utilized 3D printers to create models that you upload. I've heard very good things, and my first batch of stuff is coming shortly. There's a bunch of guys on TFW2005 that have picked it up and started making entire Transformers figures and accessories with it. I was also looking on the site, and found this guy who has amazing Lego accessories out the wazoo. So I was thinking, maybe we could make parts for Minimates as well? Hats that fit over existing hair pieces? New weapons to make a full on armory? Slipover masks or chest blocks? The cheapest material on Shapeways is White Strong Flexible. It's a good material for larger pieces, but it's quite rough. Smooth Detail or Transparent Detail would be better for smaller pieces. You can really do almost anything. I was just wondering if I was the only one who had heard of this. I am absolutely dying to try it. I just have absolutely no experience with 3D programs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellpop Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 That's pretty cool. I think it would be pretty perfect for things that aren't easily customizable. I've no experience with 3-D modelling either, though. We do have some pretty talented guys around here, though.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattallica Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 id love to get a 10" - 12" minimate made anyone have experience designing things to be printed in 3d? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buttheadsmate Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 I use these .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke314pi Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 I have used Shapeways before with good results. I have only used their White Strong Flexible material, which is a little bit rough as TM2 said. The main problem for minimate use is that all parts of the 3D object have to be 1/16" thick or thicker, which is inconvenient for minimate hair pieces that taper down, most minimate accessories, and most chest and add-on pieces. I do have some ideas written down in a notebook on some new minimate-sized items that could fit within these restrictions, but I haven't been able to work on them yet. I considered making an articulated 8" minimate in scale with the Galactus and Sentinel statues, but to have them print it would be over $800. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniFiend UK Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 The item I see this sort of thing being good for is capes. the basic superman/sentry cape I would guess getting a bit hard to get hold of now. So for customs being able to get a batch of capes I would think is cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nervous Rex Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 I've ordered some stuff from some sellers on there. I will show them off when the customs are done. I got them made in the ultra frosted detail, a little more expensive, but they came out perfect! The items I got are based off of two very well known classic swords, and a mace I also got one of the swords printed using the stainless steel, and that came out great as well. I really want to get some accessories done, like different helmets and torso stuff like straps/armor/spikes/etc... I have started to make a few helmets... and a visor using 3DS Max. I made a complete minimate model before, but would have to really retweak a lot of it to fit the specs (to make it a watertight model) I think its great, and would love to see a bunch of minimate related stuff on there in the future. I think it really is the next step in the evolution of custom minimates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke314pi Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Are any of the pieces thinner than 1/16"? Their system always yelled at me whenever I tried to upload anything thinner than that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nervous Rex Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Its close, I'll get a measurement when i get home from work. a few of the tips come close to a point. Does the material selected when you upload have anything to do with it? I haven't tried uploading anything yet. I have used only ultra frosted detail and stainless, this may allow for different tolerances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lastmaximal Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 Yes, details and pics would be great. This is the sort of thing I've been waiting for for some time... Custons would ge revolutionized indeed. Just hope cost isn't superprohibitive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM2 Dinobot Posted January 5, 2012 Author Share Posted January 5, 2012 You could always try printing a giant minimate in segments to cut down on costs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nate_studio Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 How durable is the printed model? I worked with something like this in college*, but the printed model was super fragile. Of course, it was just our university's printer so maybe they were using cheap material? *Okay, so the department actually didn't work with me, but a friend of mine. We were both doing 3D modelling and thought it would be awesome to make figures like minimates, munnys, etc and he started to get stuff printed from them and told me to try too. When I went to talk to the guy he acted like he had no idea who my friend was and said they didn't let us art majors use that printer (it was for engineers). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM2 Dinobot Posted January 5, 2012 Author Share Posted January 5, 2012 All the reviews have said that WSF is very strong. Transparent can be quite fragile with torquing. I'll let you know this weekend when my shipment arrives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeycrumb Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 All the reviews have said that WSF is very strong. Transparent can be quite fragile with torquing. I'll let you know this weekend when my shipment arrives. I can't wait! Did you get mini-figure pieces or Transformer stuff? I'm curious about the costs for mini-stuff. I've been following the 3D printer scene for years now off and on, just waiting for the below $1k desktop versions with cheap material (at better resolution than the DIY machines of course). I'm hopeful that within the next 10 years they will become commonplace with factory-quality output! :biggrin: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM2 Dinobot Posted January 10, 2012 Author Share Posted January 10, 2012 Okay, got them in, will post pics soon. The level of detailing at such a tiny scale is staggering. I have no doubts whatsoever that this could be used to create minimate pieces. That said, the cheapest plastic is WSF and I wouldn't recommend it for smaller items. It is quite rough. Frosted Detail I've heard is the best. I will try that next. Some of my WSF pieces have a hard time connecting together (joints and such) The paint also takes FOREVER to dry. It took 2 hours for my Model Masters paint to dry, when it's done on minimates in less than a minute. Again, this could be because of the plastic. More experimentation is needed. I really want to learn 3D now and get good at it. i can easily foresee myself sinking boatloads of cash into this. Here's some bad pics of my Cybertronian RiD Predacons (check out SkyByte's claw), and Motomaster w/ mace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 (edited) Not a lot of time, just dropping in briefly to add some linkage. EDIT: to fix links... it's been too long. Edited January 10, 2012 by Ivan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattallica Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 Ivan do you have a file for getting those mates printed that you'd share? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dio Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 I considered making an articulated 8" minimate in scale with the Galactus and Sentinel statues, but to have them print it would be over $800. Wow, that's expensive. And that's solid plastic too right? I think DST should make giant Minimates but have the big pieces be hollow to cut costs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniFiend UK Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Even the BBC has stuff on 3d printers. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16503443 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nervous Rex Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Hey Gang, Here are all the weapons I got made from shapeways. They are done in the frosted ultra detail, which I highly recommend. the lines are very clean and true to the original 3D model. The only one not done in this material is the other sword of omens, which is done in stainless steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Geohound Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 That steel Sword of Omens is badass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nervous Rex Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 That steel Sword of Omens is badass! Go get one, lol Its really nicely done. Sword of Omens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellpop Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Damn, and that's only five bucks? Hmmmm.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Geohound Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 (edited) $5? Yeah I can probably manage that. That thing would make a really cool keychain too. Edited January 25, 2012 by The Geohound Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM2 Dinobot Posted January 25, 2012 Author Share Posted January 25, 2012 At that scale I would strongly suggest ordering it in Transparent Detail. You might be able to squeak by on Strong White Polished. Don't use SWF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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