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Did that Russ print on a sprue or assembled?

Be kinda hard to do it assembled but if i had that i would be using a very fine sandpaper all over it to get rid of that texture lol. But its pretty good looking otherwise

 Vineheart01 wrote:
Did that Russ print on a sprue or assembled?

Be kinda hard to do it assembled but if i had that i would be using a very fine sandpaper all over it to get rid of that texture lol. But its pretty good looking otherwise

I am sure it was printed as 1 solid piece of plastic by the looks of it. Maybe 3 or 4 pieces glued together, but there is no reason this could not have been printe a a single element in one print run.

As for sanding the pieces, it is not really practical to do. The plastic does not sand super clean and in many places it is just too small to sand. Priming before painting and painting with a bit thicker coats can smooth out the lines but it will never look as good as a resin model, at least not with the current generation of consumer grade printers.

 Troike wrote:
I recall reading Jes Godwin saying that GW wasn't worried about it. Apart from the fact that it can't yet match the quality of GW-made miniatures, he also said that they would look to incorporate it once it came further. He gave an example of somebody being able to 3d print their face onto their Space Marine Commander instore.

So, look forward to 12 year-old faced Space Marines in the future, I guess.

By the gods...

Im confident that 3D printers will become fairly commonplace in the not too distant future (give it a decade or two and everybody might have one). At the moment though the technology is too expensive for the majority of people to buy easily and the infrastructure to maximise their use is not yet here. In addition (at the moment anyway) the quality does tend to suffer when it comes to fine detail (especially on smaller miniatures) so GW will have the quality chip to play for years to come. In addition 3D printing is fine when making individual, larger scale models (like the previously shown leman russ) but it would take a LONG time to print out 500 guardsmen or orks individually. Sprues will still beat 3D prints in this respect for a long time, not to mention extra weapons and poses (look forward to entire armies of guardsmen in EXACTLY the same pose).

 vodo40k wrote:
Im confident that 3D printers will become fairly commonplace in the not too distant future (give it a decade or two and everybody might have one). At the moment though the technology is too expensive for the majority of people to buy easily and the infrastructure to maximise their use is not yet here. In addition (at the moment anyway) the quality does tend to suffer when it comes to fine detail (especially on smaller miniatures) so GW will have the quality chip to play for years to come. In addition 3D printing is fine when making individual, larger scale models (like the previously shown leman russ) but it would take a LONG time to print out 500 guardsmen or orks individually. Sprues will still beat 3D prints in this respect for a long time, not to mention extra weapons and poses (look forward to entire armies of guardsmen in EXACTLY the same pose).

I don't see why. If someone preferred working with sprues what's to stop someone from creating models to be rendered as sprues? If people took to pirating GW sculpts, the obvious move would be to scan in the sprues themselves rather than assembled models. Then you could use them in the exact same way.

Even if I'm not swiping the actual models, if I'm going through the trouble to make 3d sculpts of my custom orks or whatever, it won't be much more of an ordeal to cut the arms and legs off so they are separate, make a variant or two and throw them al on a custom sprue.

 kazian wrote:

 vodo40k wrote:
Im confident that 3D printers will become fairly commonplace in the not too distant future (give it a decade or two and everybody might have one). At the moment though the technology is too expensive for the majority of people to buy easily and the infrastructure to maximise their use is not yet here. In addition (at the moment anyway) the quality does tend to suffer when it comes to fine detail (especially on smaller miniatures) so GW will have the quality chip to play for years to come. In addition 3D printing is fine when making individual, larger scale models (like the previously shown leman russ) but it would take a LONG time to print out 500 guardsmen or orks individually. Sprues will still beat 3D prints in this respect for a long time, not to mention extra weapons and poses (look forward to entire armies of guardsmen in EXACTLY the same pose).

I don't see why. If someone preferred working with sprues what's to stop someone from creating models to be rendered as sprues? If people took to pirating GW sculpts, the obvious move would be to scan in the sprues themselves rather than assembled models. Then you could use them in the exact same way.

Even if I'm not swiping the actual models, if I'm going through the trouble to make 3d sculpts of my custom orks or whatever, it won't be much more of an ordeal to cut the arms and legs off so they are separate, make a variant or two and throw them al on a custom sprue.

Yes, thats probably true for the smaller models at least. Well only time will tell, as mentioned GW would be best to embrace the technology than try to avoid it.

 vodo40k wrote:
In addition 3D printing is fine when making individual, larger scale models (like the previously shown leman russ) but it would take a LONG time to print out 500 guardsmen or orks individually. Sprues will still beat 3D prints in this respect for a long time, not to mention extra weapons and poses (look forward to entire armies of guardsmen in EXACTLY the same pose).

You are right about the speed , but I would expect the speed to increase right along with the quality. As for the printers printing a bunch in EXACTLY the same pose, that can be overcome right now. The 3d models can be rigged to have a posable skeleton making different and dynamic poses even easier in the computer than using multipart sprues. Same would go for vehicles. I am working on an ork themed ADL right now that could be configured to have random panels making up the wall. No 2 ork ADLs would ever be exactly the same.

How can GW embrace the technology? Sell scan codes (or what ever they are called) instead of actual minis now? Become fully digital and get rid of all physical products? I have no idea how it can be possible.

You know...

A good chunk of people can't even be bothered to paint, or even prime, their models.

Are these the same people who all of a sudden are going to buy a 3D printer, learn to use AutoCad or whatever, and start fabricating their own models?

I could be completely wrong, and in 5-10 years everyone will have a 3D printer and using it will be a common skill (like using a smartphone), but right now I just don't see it adapted en masse.

Also worth pointing out: it's not like Games Workshop and the relatively niche world of miniatures wargaming is the only thing impacted by 3D printing. There will attempts at regulation and control of the technology--lots of companies have vested interest in protecting their IP.

Oh, and you can make GUNS with 3D printing, which gives lots of people a Pretty Good Reason to (try to) restrict the availability of the technology and what you can make with it.

ComTrav wrote:
You know...

A good chunk of people can't even be bothered to paint, or even prime, their models.

Are these the same people who all of a sudden are going to buy a 3D printer, learn to use AutoCad or whatever, and start fabricating their own models?

I don't see why this would be any different than the people who pirate codexes now. You go to your local pirate haven, download the file and then print it with the program that would come with your 3d printer.

ComTrav wrote:
I could be completely wrong, and in 5-10 years everyone will have a 3D printer and using it will be a common skill (like using a smartphone), but right now I just don't see it adapted en masse.

All of the discussions above have largely been about when the technology hits mainstream. Like scanners, graphics tablets, or other niche devices, it doesn't need smartphone level mass-market adaptation before an infrastructure is built around it to make implementation practical.

ComTrav wrote:
Also worth pointing out: it's not like Games Workshop and the relatively niche world of miniatures wargaming is the only thing impacted by 3D printing. There will attempts at regulation and control of the technology--lots of companies have vested interest in protecting their IP.

A bit like how I'm sure GW doesnt like their codexes being available for pdf, their models being sold out of chinese recast houses, or much bigger and more politically well connected companies have a vested interest in keeping music, movies, and books from being illegally downloaded.

Once you're dealing with digital files, the whole mess becomes impossible to contain.

ComTrav wrote:
Oh, and you can make GUNS with 3D printing, which gives lots of people a Pretty Good Reason to (try to) restrict the availability of the technology and what you can make with it.

It will be a sad day when we try to outlaw 3d printing because someone somewhere might try to make a gun. I have no doubt people will try, however, just like we recently had people clamoring to outlaw or regulate the sales of pressure cookers to protect us from terrorists. I will have to hope that saner heads will prevail.

If this technology was to become adopted by the vast majority of people (and that's quite a big if) perhaps Games Workshop would move to a model where they sell you a license to print a particular model. With the license you would get a file which describes the shape, size of the model etc, which you use to print off copies of that model (or its component parts).

Games Workshop would probably try to sell the material that you use in the printer too (though going by their current standards someone else would do it better than them, and cheaper )

Yes, you can make guns with 3d printers.

Unless you use a decent model, though - your saturday afternoon "special needs" firearm (as in "short bus special") WILL explode in your hand as the cheaper plastics just can't handle the explosive forces involved - yes, even from a .22lr.
It's the modern day equivalent of a zipgun, but less reliable.

Even beyond the hysteria of the "you can smuggle a gun past a metal detector" part (the gun, perhaps. The ammo - not a chance.)

Sure, some guns will be made - but they will probably be made from the cheap end of the market printers with low-grade materials and do as much if not more damage to the shooters.

Loborocket wrote:

 Gitsmasher wrote:
Tech needs at least 5 more years of R&D to make it small and cheap enough to affect GW.

Here is a 3D printed Russ

That look pretty good. Do you happen to have the STL file?

I found that model and a different one of a nice looking Preadator. i am going to give printing them out a shoot soon. I will post my results.

Came on dakka tonight to post: http://www.examiner.com/article/will-3d-printers-be-the-downfall-of-games-workshop

I hate this and love it. I would love to be able to print 10 LRs for $40, but I am hating what this will do to my army which I have speant over $700 on.

To spite what the article says that model can be found without too much searching. I have the file and was going to try printing this evening in fact but someone else was using the printer. Maybe I will give it a go tomorrow.

I printed the Leman Russ model today. I had it scaled wrong so it is a mini version, but otherwise came out ok. Put a few real ork bits on it and it would make a fine looted wagon.

3d printing the rare bits will happen 1st. I have done just that a few times with a service called shapeways. When I was building my Razorback I printed a new turret base and cap. That way I could assemble more then one kind of gun with out having to buy another kit. Was much cheaper for me then ordering the bits online. I attached a photo of the painted bits I had printed. The lascannons are using the printed buts and the bolters are using the offical GW parts.

I also printed a custom front panel for my rhino to give it an 'older' appearance.




You can check out some of my bits at https://www.shapeways.com/shops/Digital-Nonsense

You can also order any of the bits I made if you like.

A mounting plate for the Razoback weapon is near the top of my list of things I need to print. I also want to take a run at making some Grav guns, but they might be just a bit too small to work.

Here is my 3d printed weapon mount and shroud for a Rhino/Razorback.

I ran across a printed Dread over on /tg/ the other day. I wasn't really impressed in terms of what it looked like it could do.

As for it being a threat to GW, I'd say no more than high end color printers are a threat to WotC and MtG.

Sure some sales will be lost and people will print things, but in the end I don't see a large enough move occurring to bankrupt GW.

 ClockworkZion wrote:
I ran across a printed Dread over on /tg/ the other day. I wasn't really impressed in terms of what it looked like it could do.

As for it being a threat to GW, I'd say no more than high end color printers are a threat to WotC and MtG.

Sure some sales will be lost and people will print things, but in the end I don't see a large enough move occurring to bankrupt GW.

That is a good point. Has MtG lost any sales due to people printing the cards?

 kazian wrote:
I don't see why. If someone preferred working with sprues what's to stop someone from creating models to be rendered as sprues?

The difference is speed. Injection-molded plastic sprues are fast. Once you make the molds the actual production costs (time and money) are very low. 3d printing, on the other hand, take a lot more time and money. I really have to question the usefulness of spending 70% of the cost of a box of space marines and taking a month to print it.

ComTrav wrote:
Are these the same people who all of a sudden are going to buy a 3D printer, learn to use AutoCad or whatever, and start fabricating their own models?

No, but they won't need to, just like people who want to steal video games don't have to spend years learning programming to break the DRM on them. Someone will make the files to print everything GW makes, and 99% of the people printing GW stuff will just download those files.

Also worth pointing out: it's not like Games Workshop and the relatively niche world of miniatures wargaming is the only thing impacted by 3D printing. There will attempts at regulation and control of the technology--lots of companies have vested interest in protecting their IP.

And, like software copy protection, those laws will accomplish nothing more than annoying the legitimate customers. You can't ban the hardware for 3d printing (there is overwhelming legal precedent that you can't ban something just because it could possibly be used to break the law), so all you can do is attempt to block distribution of files that violate copyright law. And I think it's pretty well established that this is not possible.

Oh, and you can make GUNS with 3D printing, which gives lots of people a Pretty Good Reason to (try to) restrict the availability of the technology and what you can make with it.

Only if you want to get first-hand experience in digging shrapnel out of your face. None of the current printing methods are even remotely useful for building stuff that has to work under significant stress without breaking. Meanwhile you can build a machine gun with parts and tools you can get at your local hardware store, as long as you don't mind risking a rather nasty felony conviction.

The real question will be what happens when gamers and/or a game company embrace the technology, its certainly has the possibility of being a proper "Disruptive Technology".

I'm looking forward to seeing the first game company who embraces digital model distribution though and seeing how they do (I don't own a 3d printer myself but a local co-op has a very nice one I can use for very little cost ).

I've recently had access to some 'low-end' 3d printers (around $1000 to $1500). I printed a few things and I can say that despite a 'resolution' of 200 microns the level of quality is only barely enough for scenery, maybe vehicles in a pinch. Added to this was the fact that one of the items I printed was roughly as big as a rhino, and it took more than 6 hours to print, and had several false starts (the process was horribly temperature sensitive). I don't see 3d printing reaching a stage where it will threaten GW any time soon (GW's worst enemy ATM is GW). A few points -

1. Machines with the necessary resolution (and accuracy) for at-home miniature production are a fair way out from being affordable and easily obtainable.

2. Such machines will always be more of a hassle to use than simply purchasing miniatures from a store (even an online one).

3. Even when they become 'affordable' for home use they wont necessarily become a ubiquitous appliance, not without them being capable of a more generally useful range of applications, and being so easy to use your mum can print something on it.

4. If all your using it for is knock-off gaming minis, you'd need to print alot to justify the price, since they will never be 'toaster' cheep.

5. People still buy music CDs, Sony has yet to be driven out of business by these 'dirty pirates' making all their stuff 'free'.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/117421627/the-peachy-printer-the-first-100-3d-printer-and-sc

$100 3d printer?

I give GW two years before they'll need to transition into a rulebook/CAD design studio (that's gonna be interesting, GW will have to live and die by its ruleset )

Now I have the weapon mount all painted up.





The lascanon is on the 3d printd mount.

I have a couple of new things from the 3D printer. I modeled and printed up a couple of Thunderfire Cannons. I used an original one for scale. It has flaws up close but looks decent after painting and placed on a table to play.






The other item I made it an objective marker. It has a top which could have any symbol on it. In this case I was making an UltraMarine themed set. The symbol cover can be taken off to reveal a point value for the game where different objectives are worth different points. Once painted I think these will be pretty slick.

@loborocket --- UMMMMMMM can you pprint me a few of those thunderfire cannons hahaha

I actually live in a town where the college just bought this really high quality 3d printer and I would like to get in there and print me off some models haha

How do you go about making the 3d model on the computer of the models? Some sort of 3d scanner?

I think it will be way less than 10 years for the price to go down like some people say. I mean for $250 bucks I would buy one if I could get good quality prints with it.
Right now I see some of these printed models and they have flaws but look good to me. In 5 years the quality will increase dramatically and the price will drop too.

I think games workshop won't supply the files to print their models tho. What would stop them someone from buying say a wraithknight model file for say $75 bucks (50% of current price) and someone printing off 100 of the models just wouldn't make sense. It's all about profit and that would cut into their profits because they want to make as much money as possible.

I think 3d printers are one of the coolest things that are coming to consumers now.....BUT I'm not sure everyone will have one like everyone has a printer because who needs 3d print things? Need an iphone case? I'll 3d print one for 5 cents but the printer is $250 so instead I will buy one for 5 bucks at the store haha

3d printing in the home will be massive, need a new plate? Print one, New cup, print it, what about a new door handle, that hub cap you lost, the use for small things around the house is almost endless

chiefbigredman wrote:
@loborocket --- UMMMMMMM can you pprint me a few of those thunderfire cannons hahaha

I actually live in a town where the college just bought this really high quality 3d printer and I would like to get in there and print me off some models haha

How do you go about making the 3d model on the computer of the models? Some sort of 3d scanner?

If you have access to the printer at the college I can send you the file to print one yourself. I made the 3D model myself. I used the real version to take measurements and then abstracted it a bit to make it easier to print. There are scanners for the desktop which are fairly inexpensive. Then you would not have to have modeling skills to create stuff. Combine those two things and you really start to have a disruptive type of technology. In a few years this will be much more common. I am really just screwing around right now beginning to understand what is possible.