|
|
Post by steven on Aug 26, 2020 13:14:30 GMT -7
I know nothing about the subject, so maybe one of you could help me out.
Let's say I wanted to 3D Print ships for play. How does that work?
Obviously, I would need a 3D printer. What should I look for in a 3D printer?
How does one get the files to 3D print ships? Would I need to create my own or trade them or buy them or some other means? If I needed to create my own, what kind of a program would I need to do that? Some kind of a CAD program or something else?
Thanks.
|
|
|
|
Post by trynda1701 on Aug 26, 2020 18:44:23 GMT -7
There are FASA designs on Shapeways at varying price points. Look for ships in 1/3788 or 1/3900 scale, or close to those two numbers. The first is the Star Fleet Battles scale, and the other is FASA scale. The difference is minimal (have a look on the first page of my minis page to see the SFB and FASA Constitution class minis side by side). Anything I say about actual 3D printing will probably be the basics. Have a look on YouTube, where you might actually find show and tell videos. I fully expect that for anything that I say below, someone might then come along and correct me on specifics, but I think I can describe the basic process.  Someone else would have to advise you on what would be a suitable printer. If you get your own 3D printer, you can buy what are called STL files that others have created for sale, or create your own on design software, perhaps a CAD program. Once you have those files, I think you have to then run that file through another program that determines how the printer will actually print the object, I think it's called a slicing program, seeing as the printer creates objects in layers, and it might also create supports for overhanging parts of a model as it builds it up layer by layer. For example, the nacelle struts on a Constitution class as it builds up towards the nacelles. Those supports would have to be snipped off after object creation. Hope that helps you look into the process further. I am technologically challenged, and look for cheap and simple models on Shapeways at similar prices or a bit more to what the original FASA models sold for back in the day. Again, look in my minis thread, I've posted a couple of pics of Starfleet lookalikes that I liked the design of, but you can find actual FASA designs. : ststcsolda.proboards.com/thread/106/trynda1701s-ststcs-minis-cheat |
|
|
|
Post by JAFisher44 on Aug 28, 2020 0:46:20 GMT -7
Resin printers have far better resolution than FDM printers and create smooth models that are ready to use without having to surface them. I'm particularly fond of the Anycubic Photon but I don't own one and my preference is based on research that is more than a year old now. There may be better options available now. I'd suggest a quick google search for the best resin printer in your budget range.
|
|
darthgiddy
Lieutenant Junior Grade
"Fate protects fools, little children, and ships named Enterprise."- Riker
Posts: 91 
|
Post by darthgiddy on Aug 28, 2020 13:20:38 GMT -7
JAfisher44 is mostly correct, there are still some things that need cleaning (where the supports connect to the body of the print), but they are usually far and few compared to FDM (filament) printing.
We could also (if there is a 3d model) print it for you. most of the time we are cheaper than shapeways, but not always. We do it SLA (Resin) and you can basically name your scale or desired print size.... jareonstudio@aol.com or gidiotproductions@gmail.com if you have a design your looking for and want to know the cost to print.
|
|
|
|
Post by JAFisher44 on Aug 28, 2020 20:41:40 GMT -7
By the way, for the next two days the Anycubic Photon is on sale for $169 because of Anycubic's 5th anniversary sale.
|
|
|
|
Post by SITZKRIEG! on Aug 31, 2020 10:09:25 GMT -7
I know nothing about the subject, so maybe one of you could help me out. Let's say I wanted to 3D Print ships for play. How does that work? Obviously, I would need a 3D printer. What should I look for in a 3D printer? How does one get the files to 3D print ships? Would I need to create my own or trade them or buy them or some other means? If I needed to create my own, what kind of a program would I need to do that? Some kind of a CAD program or something else? Thanks. Generally the process I use for 3d prints is that you download the ship from the source, run an automated "fix" on the 3d model as they frequently have errors that affect printability, import it into the slicing program and add the necessary supports, print it out, clean in alcohol/acetone/water and remove the supports, and then paint/play as you would any other model. It is a fair amount of effort with the current technology and definitely not a press print/wait four hours/play! process. I'm not trying to discourage you but rather want to set your expectations to a realistic level. The freedom that you have with it though is quite amazing compared with waiting for some rare OOP mini to come up or to have to buy multiple other kits to get the bits necessary to customize it. Instead, you download whatever models you need (whether free or paid) and then play virtual legos with them by resizing/repositioning them until you have a 100% unique mini. If you actually are proficient in 3d modelling (I'm not) then you can really just do whatever you want just like a traditional physical sculptor. The detail on an entry level resin printer properly calibrated is about the level of very nice modern boardgame PVC minis. Resin/Metal traditionally cast and very well designed polystyrene plastics still have a slight advantage in crispness and detail to a degree but I was amazed at what you could do with a desktop resin home printer.
If you're doing terrain and/or very large models (think model scale 1/1000 and bigger in Star Trek ship terms) then an FDM printer is probably the most cost effective choice. If you've got money to burn then you can get one of the new huge resin printers instead for much better detail. If you'll primarily be printing smaller things like tabletop gaming miniatures, you're better off with a low cost resin printer like the first generation Anycubic Photon or Elegoo Mars that typically run $200-250 without a sale last I checked. There is a big change going on right now in resin 3d printing where printers are coming out with mono-LCD screens that are supposed to last significantly longer and print faster than those of the first generation (the screens do eventually burn out and must be replaced). Most of them are coming out in larger premium ($400-500+) printers but will obviously at some point filter down to entry level models very soon; if you feel like waiting, you can probably get an even better deal on the first gen models once they're permanently being phased out or get a better version at the old price when that happens sometime likely later this year if it isn't already happening. I'll admit that I haven't kept close watch on the newest releases since I don't plan on getting them.
The biggest free repository for 3d models is thingiverse.com (all of those are free) but there are lots of other websites like myminifactory and cults3d to name two that have a mix of paid and free models. You can create your own models with free programs downloadable off the internet like Blender 3d or use the ones that are already included in Windows 10 (3d Builder if you're using a PC). There are other paid programs folks use as well but I can't comment on them much myself as I only put together other existing models and don't create new ones myself.
If you use youtube, my recommendation is to look up various 3d printing channels like 3dprintingpro, 3d printed tabletop, Uncle Jessy, and 3dPrintFarm just to name a few. Searching for 3d printing tabletop videos should get you hundreds of results from printer reviews to examples of printed projects to tips to avoid common mistakes. There definitely is a learning curve but it's a rewarding and fun hobby.
|
|
|
|
Post by rabid on Sept 1, 2020 8:37:14 GMT -7
Resin printers have far better resolution than FDM printers and create smooth models that are ready to use without having to surface them. I'm particularly fond of the Anycubic Photon but I don't own one and my preference is based on research that is more than a year old now. There may be better options available now. I'd suggest a quick google search for the best resin printer in your budget range. How are you surfacing them? Shapeways plastic gets all stringy when I try to buff it. |
|
|
|
Post by drkanukie on Jan 23, 2021 11:18:24 GMT -7
|
|
