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Amongst my 3D training material I have a training DVD that builds a model of Serenity. If I wanted to get this printed as a 3D model can any body recommend a 3D that would be up to the task of producing a good copy?

Do you mean an actual printer, or just a print service?

Print service is what I'm after but would be handy to know the types of printer that could handle it so I know if the print service can handle it. Does that make sense?

From my experience with various types of printers on Shapeways, it's 100% dependent on the size of the model (which will dictate the print volume you need), the minimum feature size (how detailed it is), and the minimum part thickness (subtly different from detail, how likely is the part to break during printing).

So without knowing more about what you actually want to print, I couldn't say.

Mechanical Engineering student here, also I have a makerbot. The markup on shapeways in ridiculous. I pay 50 dollars for a 2.2kg spool of filament, which comes out to about 2.27 cents per gram that I print. to put this in perspective, I weighted a Space marine figure and it only weighed 8 grams. My recomonedation to you would be to either make a post on craigslist, or even contact a local university with a ME program and a 3D printer. The biggest issue you will run into, is that as so as you pay someone for it, then you may run into copyright laws.

Some areas have Maker spaces that you can join like club.

they usually have printers IIRC.

Also be aware that if your 3D training DVD is for game or animation models, that they will not print, due to many of the parts not being closed spaces, or having other properties that make printing difficult.

For instance, just closing off all of the openings will create a 3D model that takes a LOT of media.

You would have to create a "shell" for the model that would make it hollow (and possibly with a hole to allow media to be removed from the internal spaces, otherwise you are still charged for it).

MB