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Made in us
Dakka Veteran






I'm not sure if this is the right place to be putting this, so let me know if I need to move it. Thanks!

I'm new to the whole 3D printing thing, but I've always liked the idea of custom bits to really make your army unique. Except I have neither the time nor skill to go the whole hand sculpted greenstuff on every model route. It doesn't help that I want to dabble in almost every army.

Anyway, I haven't gotten a printer myself yet and I've only barely started dabbling in the related software, but I'm looking to commission a good artist to make a set of files that I can mix and match to create unique bits for myself to use. My idea is to have a set or two of base pieces and a bunch of modular details to mix and match with them, like studs, skulls, flames, etc. This way I'm not reprinting the same 10 heads, shoulders, backpacks, etc and just mixing those, but actually making slightly different pieces each time. Obviously eventually I'd start repeating combinations I like but by then I'd have so many you wouldn't notice.

I know it's going to be a somewhat costly investment going in with a whole printer setup and the commission on top, so I'm looking for someone willing make them for a reasonable price. I'm not asking for tons of detail on the base pieces, but a lot of minor detail bits to choose from.

For what I want, I'm trying to make a Legion of the Damned themed army with both FB and Prime marines, so I want one or two base designs for each of the armor Mks and maybe a few custom styles as well, then I want a bunch of bits and bobs to put on them as I feel like. Preferably with optional snap points so ones that are supposed to be centered aren't manually done so. For what kind of things I'd like to have to add on, mostly I'm just thinking of the same stuff seen on the official models for Legion of the Damned. Bone and flame motifs, actual flames in places like the newer ones, etc. I don't think there's usually any detail on the back of the torso since that's covered by the backpack, so torsos could be one piece, but otherwise I'd like options for every piece that SM come in for maximum variation.

This is all just a pipe dream for now though, since I have no real experience with which to make the files myself and I'm having trouble finding someone to commission since I want stl files instead of a shipment of pre-printed parts.
   
Made in ru
Lone Wolf Sentinel Pilot





Room

You need to make some sketches to get the idea

Mordant 92nd 'Acid Dogs'
The Lost and Damned
Inquisition
 
   
Made in us
Dakka Veteran






Honestly, while I'm not looking to copy exactly to avoid any legal dispute, I am mostly just looking to keep in the same theme as the metal LotD model from GW, both the 2nd Ed metals and the later 2000s metals that were briefly Finecast as well. I'm not a great sketch artist myself, so at best I would be collecting images of models, art, and 3rd party bits that are close to what I want.

I've seen some great bits, especially the Fallen and Mortis helmet and pads sets from Liber Daemonica:
https://liberdaemonica.com/shop (tried linking directly to them, but it failed.)

But also some bits from Shapeways:
https://www.shapeways.com/product/D84PF3VNP/damned-legion-shoulder-pads-mk7-8-x10-1?optionId=63285446&li=marketplace

There's a bunch others, like a ton of helmets from Pop Goes the Monkey, but the main problem is that they are almost all the Mk7/8 or Primaris styles. Also, I don't want a ton of exactly the same bits if I can help it, and most of these are sets of five different bits or even less packaged into 5s and 10s. Also, I've yet to find any finished backpacks and torsos or much of anything in Mk3&4 which is where I want the majority of Firstborn to be. Currently, my best bet would be to ask the creator of the linked product from Shapeways if they could make Mk3&4 versions, then just put those on Mk3&4 boxes from GW. Not great, but at least the pad markings are good. I would prefer some themed heads, backpacks, and weapons to mix in as well, but I've yet to find any of heads in Mk3&4 nor any of the other two at all.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2021/08/22 15:08:18


 
   
Made in eu
Regular Dakkanaut




Cananda

I offer commission sculpting. You can PM me for my rates.

Please keep in mind that there are people willing to sculpt for below minimum wage and I am not one of those people. I am adamant about not losing money when working and charge accordingly.

Furthermore, if your intent is to commercially resell I will not sculpt something for anyone not willing to pay for royalties, or credit. And charge industry-standard rates as an artist and I will not sculpt without a contract that covers minimum lawyer fees for commercial resale. I've had more than my fair share of people trying to rip me off and it's cost me money so I'm extremely adamant about fair compensation for artists and charge my fees accordingly at industry standard rates as a professional artist. I also retain all the copyrights for any work that I create. Unless the contract specifies otherwise, and I am willing to negotiate the sale of the copyrights for anything that I create or offer partial licences.

I have been burned before and I do not work for free or without a legitimate contract for commercial resale.

You mention a reasonable rate for high-quality highly skilled work that can take upwards of hundreds of hours, depending on complexity. I would like to suggest that you're not going to get a rate of 20$ a model before you continue. There are many that will offer you such a rate and are willing to work for next to nothing but you're not ensured good quality work. There are on rare occasions people willing to work for extremely low rates and you might find someone willing to work for below the poverty line. However, I do not suggest supporting them as they hurt the industry at large and make it more difficult for people who don't live with their parents to afford a living wage.

You can expect anywhere from 50, 175, to 300 dollars a model on some platforms again depending on complexity. Seems to be an average on fiverr.

I charge an hourly rate and can provide videos of working in real-time or a flat fee depending on the customer's needs/demands.

Alternatively, you could take lessons and learn to sculpt yourself. Which may save you money in the long run or increase your enjoyment of the hobby as a whole being able to do what you want to do yourself.

https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/801163.page for lessons.
















This message was edited 8 times. Last update was at 2021/09/29 17:47:27


 
   
Made in us
Fresh-Faced New User





I also am wondering about this. My question is do modelers provide not just the finished STLs but also the rigged models so you can make additional poses yourself if you want? Or is that typically extra?
   
Made in ca
Regular Dakkanaut




Cananda

 aducknamedjoe wrote:
I also am wondering about this. My question is do modelers provide not just the finished STLs but also the rigged models so you can make additional poses yourself if you want? Or is that typically extra?


Rigging is an industry on its own. That's not always in the wheelhouse of the development team or sculptures/3D modellers.

What you're looking for could be to mass produce a model. Some modellers are not happy about. I personally don't often rig models because they're often too complex to rig or constructed in a way that makes rigging inconvenient.

It can be done. But it it's also kind of brings up the question why? Why rig a model a person can mass produce. Unless you're willing to buy a right to make to make reproductions or the copyright to original characters/ models it seems counter productive for commission artists. You would have to ask each commission artists on a case by case basis.

I for one wouldn't be willing to do a T pose rigged model for resale. It would take me longer to T pose then to sculpt a full model and clipping can be an issue.

There are some that start with T posing. Sometimes it's unavoidable but to apply movable bones to a model and rig it.

 
   
Made in us
Dakka Veteran






While rigged would be nice, I was thinking something more like this: https://ksr-ugc.imgix.net/assets/034/790/512/076b862daa19ce1dddeddda607dae615_original.png?ixlib=rb-4.0.2&w=680&fit=max&v=1631030282&auto=format&frame=1&lossless=true&s=695403cd8588a7a9c54bcda52d2589ea
   
Made in us
Courageous Questing Knight





Texas



I love sets like this!!!!

My Novella Collection is available on Amazon - Action/Fantasy/Sci-Fi - https://www.amazon.com/Three-Roads-Dreamt-Michael-Leonard/dp/1505716993/

 
   
Made in us
Dakka Veteran








Me too! It's one of the reasons I backed the kickstarter. It had a whole bunch of great models. It even had a stretch goal for modular special weapon swaps: https://ksr-ugc.imgix.net/assets/034/867/483/b2aba74741975d17c620488dec0268c5_original.png?ixlib=rb-4.0.2&w=680&fit=max&v=1631589646&auto=format&frame=1&lossless=true&s=ae4fb7340a3d9bc2110ca82445b27f1e

and a modular officers pack: https://ksr-ugc.imgix.net/assets/034/972/362/67384253d4d3f7792212727d2cfe6df9_original.png?ixlib=rb-4.0.2&w=680&fit=max&v=1632328772&auto=format&frame=1&lossless=true&s=39a30dc8d23c58adc55fe950cbb30761


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I also really love the not-Ogryn proxy suits: https://ksr-ugc.imgix.net/assets/035/060/912/93cdc0e20d2a8b620dc9e72e9baaeff5_original.png?ixlib=rb-4.0.2&w=680&fit=max&v=1632949525&auto=format&frame=1&lossless=true&s=cc3ca408b0e88c662d21011e59b9830d

Think about all the flesh colors I won't have to paint!

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2021/10/21 15:16:09


 
   
Made in ca
Regular Dakkanaut




Cananda

That's very easy to do. But it's also ups the cost a little as you're essentially asking for multiple models. Albeit it convenient to sculpt with a base model.

Alot of artists put modularity or into their model by default. Also known as multi part minis. I being an old school 40k player do this all the time while sculpting.

All of my miniatures are moduler in construction I make it a point to introduce modular construction in everything I create.

Hell I even play space engineers from time to time and design construction factories for ships with modular weapons etc to be easier to replace. Aka super advanced Lego.

The question remains are you planning to resell or redistribute the end results?

At that point you're getting into commercial art. And that all depends on the artist, and contract or licences or copy rights they wish to sell you.

If it's for personal use. You probably won't have any issues.

Some artists list this as variations. So you pay a base fee and then pay for additional variations. It's a common practice on fiverr. However fiverr is a mixed bag of scam artists and people who don't know miniatures sizes. You're likely to get a set of minis irregular shape. There are a few gems but often are very backlogged. I'm currently moving my studio to a larger location. So I'm personally not sculpting anything until the start of November.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2021/10/21 19:33:48


 
   
Made in us
Fresh-Faced New User





Bayonet&Ricochet wrote:
 aducknamedjoe wrote:
I also am wondering about this. My question is do modelers provide not just the finished STLs but also the rigged models so you can make additional poses yourself if you want? Or is that typically extra?


Rigging is an industry on its own. That's not always in the wheelhouse of the development team or sculptures/3D modellers.

What you're looking for could be to mass produce a model. Some modellers are not happy about. I personally don't often rig models because they're often too complex to rig or constructed in a way that makes rigging inconvenient.

It can be done. But it it's also kind of brings up the question why? Why rig a model a person can mass produce. Unless you're willing to buy a right to make to make reproductions or the copyright to original characters/ models it seems counter productive for commission artists. You would have to ask each commission artists on a case by case basis.

I for one wouldn't be willing to do a T pose rigged model for resale. It would take me longer to T pose then to sculpt a full model and clipping can be an issue.

There are some that start with T posing. Sometimes it's unavoidable but to apply movable bones to a model and rig it.


Interesting, and good to know! Yes, my ideal purpose would be to commission someone to sculpt figures for a line of models I would want to sell, so having a rigged model could make it easier to create multiple poses to increase the variety of figures for sale.
   
Made in ca
Regular Dakkanaut




Cananda

 aducknamedjoe wrote:
Bayonet&Ricochet wrote:
 aducknamedjoe wrote:
I also am wondering about this. My question is do modelers provide not just the finished STLs but also the rigged models so you can make additional poses yourself if you want? Or is that typically extra?


Rigging is an industry on its own. That's not always in the wheelhouse of the development team or sculptures/3D modellers.

What you're looking for could be to mass produce a model. Some modellers are not happy about. I personally don't often rig models because they're often too complex to rig or constructed in a way that makes rigging inconvenient.

It can be done. But it it's also kind of brings up the question why? Why rig a model a person can mass produce. Unless you're willing to buy a right to make to make reproductions or the copyright to original characters/ models it seems counter productive for commission artists. You would have to ask each commission artists on a case by case basis.

I for one wouldn't be willing to do a T pose rigged model for resale. It would take me longer to T pose then to sculpt a full model and clipping can be an issue.

There are some that start with T posing. Sometimes it's unavoidable but to apply movable bones to a model and rig it.


Interesting, and good to know! Yes, my ideal purpose would be to commission someone to sculpt figures for a line of models I would want to sell, so having a rigged model could make it easier to create multiple poses to increase the variety of figures for sale.


Commercial rights even for limited rights to resale can be expected to rang efrom 300$ per model to over 4000$ depending on the artist. And you may not be able to own the copyright. Out right buying a copyright commercial for art specific to commercial reproduction can be difficult as many artists are unwilling to sell the copyright they can potentially use as leverage for legal action later on. A lot of artists sell simply limited rights to reproduce.

I offer different payment packages with different legal rights including up to owning a copyright. I also run everything past a lawyer.

Going with a none vetted artist can land you in legal hot water as it could be copied work or infringement on someone's else property.

However that's the risk you take. Often the case is you get whatever you pay for.

My suggestion is always have a contract that a lawyer has looked at. I've learned this the hardway.

To conclude Low end for reselling is 300$ high end 4000 plus. Or middling price with royalties, all depending on the artist.

If you don't care what the model looks like you can get right to resell minis at excessively low prices through Patreon. But the Market is already saturated with printing farms.

Have you considered all the costs of production of miniatures that can exceed tens of thousands?

If you don't really care about what you're manufacturing you could simply extrude an industrial part and make more money.




Automatically Appended Next Post:
There's also a mod floating around called Inank or something goes by Ian. Although I'm not a fan of him personally he's knowledgeable about the Industry on the production side of things. And maybe can provide you with information about plastic injection molding and getting dies made for it. I also know a staggering amount about the industry having studied it for years. And can direct you to none conventional production methods that can save thousands if not tens of thousands. But there's a significant amount of information to go with. You could also try your hand in China about manufacturing injection molding. I have tried both China and Japan without much luck with a translator to speak on my behalf. Someone might know more however. I'm currently working towards in house injection molding myself.. it's not cheap but it's cheaper than going through a company.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2021/10/21 20:07:11


 
   
Made in us
Dakka Veteran






At the moment, I'm just thinking about personal use for my own modeling desires, but it would be nice to have the option to sell in the future.
   
Made in au
[MOD]
Making Stuff






Under the couch

 SergentSilver wrote:
At the moment, I'm just thinking about personal use for my own modeling desires, but it would be nice to have the option to sell in the future.

That's something you would need to decide up front and discuss with the sculptor, as it will potentially make a fairly significant difference to the price.

 
   
Made in us
Dakka Veteran






 insaniak wrote:
 SergentSilver wrote:
At the moment, I'm just thinking about personal use for my own modeling desires, but it would be nice to have the option to sell in the future.

That's something you would need to decide up front and discuss with the sculptor, as it will potentially make a fairly significant difference to the price.


Yeah, I've gathered that much from this thread. I would probably start at personal use, but negotiate a clause to have the option to later upgrade to a merchant license.

I suppose another option would be to negotiate a reduced price for non-exclusive rights to the commissioned models.
   
Made in us
Courageous Questing Knight





Texas

I do not object to the rigged 'T' pose that you can bend and such to create differing poses, but really do not enjoy it. I much prefer the modular sections that I have a choice of a few tops, bottoms and heads that I can swap around to create different poses, afterall, these are usually rank and file so unlimited options are not really needed.

My Novella Collection is available on Amazon - Action/Fantasy/Sci-Fi - https://www.amazon.com/Three-Roads-Dreamt-Michael-Leonard/dp/1505716993/

 
   
 
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