The 3D printing/Figurines/Minitures Hobbyists thread

starseeker

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I am looking to get a 3D printer. For private use, making small parts & models. I have CAD (Catia) & commercial 3D tools (Maya, Zbrush) so making the models is the easy part.

I just wasn't something simple, cheap & well good resolution.

I heard some good things about the Ender V2, but its required some assembly.


DO you guys have any IRL experience, tips & recommendations?
 
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I am looking to get a 3D printer. For private use, making small parts & models. I have CAD (Catia) & commercial 3D tools (Maya, Zbrush) so making the models is the easy part.

I just wasn't something simple, cheap & well good resolution.

I heard some good things about the Ender V2, but its required some assembly.


DO you guys have any IRL experience, tips & recommendations?

I think someone here bought one for their kid from monoprice

 
The Monprice MP Voxwl looks great, but its also a lot more expensive. But it do not required assmebly, simple, & doesn't look like a massive sore thumb in the house like Ender 3 V2
 
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I got an Ender v1 a couple years ago and it was not a big deal to put together. I think it took me about 30 minutes. Most of the complicated parts are already assembled. It worked quite well and I printed a lot of great things with it. I do recommend getting the flexible build plate (was an extra option for mine, maybe not now?) It just makes getting the model off the plate so much easier. Also, I recommend upgrading to the Capricorn bowden tube kit. You can get it on Amazon for like $12 I think.

Ultimately, I ended up giving it to my son and he still uses it quite a bit. I just got tired of the maintenance on it and got a Prusa which is amazing. For a first 3D printer, though, you can't really do better than the Ender.
 
I ordered the Monoprice MP voxel 3D eventually. The ender v2 was for reason much more expensive than the $200 selling point shown in the video in the German Amazon store(270€), so I might as well top up a "bit" (370€) for the monoprice model. I live beside a road, & it gets dusty easily, so the Monoprice with the glass cover is better as well.

Some exciting 3D print projects coming soon.
 
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The printer has just arrived.

The Amazon filment roll I bought is too large to fit but there are suppose solution to mount 3d party rolls.
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I post many of my print under the random thought thread. Also I changed the name of the thread to kickstart one stop place for 3D printer hobbyists.

My finished Controller stand.

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The cable holder for easy cable on/off & minimize scratching of cables
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My cable hook, for neat cable management of my headphone. It was custom desgn to fit my existing headphone stand.
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I can answer some potential questions.

What formats are supported?
I do not have a lot of experience with 3D printer software, but the one (Flashpoint MP) I used & I think most of not all accept STL format, as well as some popular ones like obj.

How to design your own part?

Most commercial/artistic software & CAD can export obj & STL file suitable for 3D print (via 3D print software or even direct to the printer).

CAD software (solid modeling) is ideal for precision & general geometrical mechanical product like pen holders, gears, supports etc. I am not sure for affordable or free ones though. I used Catia (super expensive). It's for work, but I am home office so I can use the software in my free time.

For organic parts, you will want commercial 3D software (surfare/polygon modeling) like Blender/Zbrush. You can also make mechanical products with these non-CAD commercial 3D software, but less optimal & more limited.

Make sure the model is close when using commercial software.
 
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Quick sketch concept of Captain Marvel for 3D print Figurine Project

I did this during lunch break (yes, I skipped lunch but its worth it)
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My little wooden friend help me with pose reference

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The concept sketch I did over lunch break. The shoes are bad, but I ran out of paper for the shoes, but it will be refined in more detail once I import the sketch to PC as base to make final concept in Clip art studio pro.
 
Concept done. Sort of. I have no idea what to do for the final figurine base. If anyone has any ideas, let me know.

Also, let me think what you think of the pose in general.

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Next step is modeling.
 
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Test print of EInstein head bust. Rulers in CM &inch for size perceptive. It's pretty small.

Side note, time to cut & clean nails.
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Close ups after apply prime paint coat (spray paint). The lines are visible, less so in normal view distance (not shown) ( about 30cm)
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Did some sculpting work in Zbrush. 1/3 of time spend watching youtube to recall functions & tools as I did not use the software for ages, & Zbrush is known for very bad UI friendliness.

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I updated the Title to include figurine/minitures as I think there ain't so much traffic to warrant seperate threads. We could split them when needed in future.

Anyway I am diving into painting for my 3D print figurines. i haven't touched physical paint since high school art classes.

Sharing videos on washes comparision. For info, washes are special paints (usually watery) that apply to figurines/miniture to darken the cavities. Its popular unlike manual painting, its faster at cost of less control & dilute base paint. ( I am not expert, but this is what I notice from my videos so far)



I am considering getting this Army Paint pant set, Its very good value, but still cost a bit (140€). This hobby is not cheap.
Amazon product

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Thought of getting airbrush, & this one seems to be well reviewed & came with a few needle size. When I was a teenager, I wanted to learn & use airbrush but being a teenager, I have no money, so that never happened.
Amazon product



But I try not to spend money unit maybe next month, I just bought a new fridge this month. I have been using a mini fridge (th eone you store drinks) for almost a year or longer & its painful, to squeeze stuff inside & have to do grocery every 2 dys due to lak of storage.
 
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