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Wait, I didnt read through this entire thread but I dont beleive that the 3d printing actually paints the model with detail or any paint at all? Or am I wrong?

The time may come where the technology becomes cost efficient enough to replace the mass production make a mould, inject it with plastic but thats a long time off. Economies of scale mean that mass production is always cheaper than individual production.

The big thing I can see happening is in store 3D printers to produce particularly specialised single models. Either a business model where they own the machine and charge you for materials and space and you bring along your own design or some kind of GW feature where you can get really specific components (i.e. shoulder pads for your own chapter, a special conversion component for a tank, a new head you need) made for you in store. The cost would be quite high but the customisation options would make it appealing to a lot of people.

The various things which we'll be able to look forward to if 3D printing takes off:

1. People complaining about the licensing fees for GW's model files.
2. People arguing over whether it's legal to scan and print copies of models.
3. GW brand printers and print supplies.

I don't believe in any Utopian future in which people will ever stop complaining about proxies, unpainted figures, or poorly written rules.