Thursday, September 4, 2014

3D printing : the future of miniature gaming?


So I just finished painting 2 Jedi Interceptors at 1/270th scale  from Shapeways designed by Mel_Miniatures.


Is this the future of miniature gaming?
Maybe.
However right now it is no replacement for plastic/resin models.
This model in Frosted Ultra Detail set me back around 11€, 
which is a bit steep considering the level of detail and it's only 20mm long.

Here is a picture in it's raw state:

And with a black undercoat, to get a better view:
The 2 interceptors on the right have been cleaned before priming while the 2 on the left and the 2 Tie Droids have been primed directly. Pay attention to the small lines on the hull and the grain of the back of the cockpit.

Closeup of the underneath before cleaning:

Cleaned with a white coat, to get a different view: 


So basically it is a great way to get the basic shape of a model, but the level of details (the resolution so to speak) is not there yet compared to a plastic/resin model, even in the frosted ultra detail which is the best level of details you can get from Shapeways.

However I bet it would be a great way to create a main body for detailing in order to create a master for casting.



As is you can get great results with a bit of work, but as you can see most of the details on the model where free handed and that's not everyone cup of tea.

Time to reload,
Ica

2 comments:

  1. The transformation of the plastic pieces into the end product is incredible. Your painting talent really show cases their potential. I don't think its so much the 3D printing helping here, but merely the canvas for you to work on. :)

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