| John the OFM | 10 Jun 2012 7:18 a.m. PST |
I have always had my doubts about the suitability of figures "printed" via the 3D printers that everyone assures us will be selling for $125 USD in no time at all, eliminating the need to ever buy anything cast or mlded.  How strong are usually delicate things like swords, spears, propellors, masts, etc? I would LIKE to believe in them, but… |
| Only Warlock | 10 Jun 2012 7:24 a.m. PST |
so far my experiences have been very positive from shapeways. zero broken minis with use. |
| elsyrsyn | 10 Jun 2012 7:41 a.m. PST |
The only thing I've had 3d printed was a master for a terrain tile, which was an inch thick solid block. It seemed near as tough as the dental plaster we use to cast Hirst Arts blocks. Doug |
| Mako11 | 10 Jun 2012 8:36 a.m. PST |
I don't own any. I've read that some of the 1/600th aircraft can be a bit fragile, and that they sometimes break when being cleaned/prepped, or handled. |
| Goober | 10 Jun 2012 8:46 a.m. PST |
They are weaker than the equivalent in metal, but more robust than resin (although, to be fair, resin can vary). It also depends where you get them printed too. I've tried a couple of places and Shapeways seems to be the best for cost vs. detail, plus the choice of materials is nice. G. |
| David Manley | 10 Jun 2012 10:57 a.m. PST |
I have something like 50+ Shapeways WW1 aircraft models. One arrived with a broken strut, but apart from that everything has been fine. And they are extremely robust. I've dropped a few from height with no damage whatsoever. |
| Cardinal Ximenez | 10 Jun 2012 12:50 p.m. PST |
What's the average cost per figure? DM |
Frederick  | 10 Jun 2012 5:09 p.m. PST |
Can't speak for minis, but the research wonks on the 5th floor have one they use for prototypes, and they seem pretty durable |
 Saber6  | 10 Jun 2012 7:06 p.m. PST |
My experience is it is made out of ABS plastic. Fairly strong for size |
| Sumatran Rat Monkey | 10 Jun 2012 8:55 p.m. PST |
Honestly, it depends entirely on the specific material used to print them- there's a huge range of options there, from incredibly fragile, to precious metals. - Monk |
| richarDISNEY | 11 Jun 2012 9:06 a.m. PST |
I just ordered some Formula D cars about an hour ago.
I will let you know.
 |
| Jerrod | 11 Jun 2012 9:13 a.m. PST |
It is totally dependent on the material used to produce the print, from chocolate (yummy) to wax to resins to plastics to metals. /Dee |
| Lupulus | 11 Jun 2012 2:38 p.m. PST |
When it comes to Shapeways "White strong and flexible", it is very (WS&F that is). I ordered a silt strider, and you can twist the base ninety degrees and it just springs back. I haven't tried any of the other materials.
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 javelin98 | 11 Jun 2012 2:52 p.m. PST |
Like Dee said, it depends on the material. The best detailed material, Frosted Ultra Detail, is very brittle. I've had fantastic results with larger pieces, but some very small pieces (~1mm thickness) I printed broke as a result of my large clumsy fingers not handling them well. |
| Sumatran Rat Monkey | 11 Jun 2012 5:03 p.m. PST |
I ordered a silt strider Oh wow! That is the first mini I have ever seen of a Morrowin Silt Strider- that's so cool! What size figures is it designed for, roughly? Does it have the creepy compartment carved into its back, like in the game? - Monk |
| Lupulus | 12 Jun 2012 11:45 a.m. PST |
Silt strider height is supposed to be 20-30 feet, but the in-game version is apparently about 60 feet tall.
The model is about four inches which gives a scale of 1/60 – 1/90 (written size) or 1/180 (in-game). There is no compartment, saddle or reins, so I guess it's a wild strider :) I have painted mine – the slightly grainly surface took paint very well. I'll see if I can take a picture next to a reference mini. |
| Lupulus | 12 Jun 2012 2:47 p.m. PST |
Here it is, accompanied by a Black Scorpion cowboy and a headswapped Citadel space marine
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