"Will we like all computer designed miniatures?" Topic

I'll say in advance, I haven't thought this through entirely.

Something about the precision of computer designed figures leaves me cold: For example – what's wrong with these? I have no desire to paint or own these – and I like zombie gaming! Are they too "nice" to paint?

Also this:

The precision and smoothness is great and all but to me they lack style, the human touch, something.

Could be I simply prefer the old ways because I understand them.

Remember what Bob Dylan sang about "The Times…." and what they are doing…

I have the same issue with trying to find an artist to do some work. Most of the "artists" nowadays aren't professional, or have the talent/skill for the style I want. Heck a few of them CAN'T even draw without a pc and software….

But the answer to your question is…"No we never will like ALL…"

Speaking of…where is that building from?

It's all in the details. The zombie sculpts show the round and irregular shapes can be done. The building can also be constructed with that in mind and might look great.

Generally, I have a similar feeling about them. The crispness and preciseness is a double edged sword, so to speak. The designer/artist that creates the original file, needs to soften features that are not so precise in real life. With the house, it both lacks detail that it requires, and is too precise in the detail that it has.

In the case of vehicles, aircraft, spaceships, etc, this crispness won't be as much a problem, but with things that wear, decay, age, it is an issue for me. I can add both the detail, aging, and impreciseness, but then I realize that I would rather just start from scratch, than "fix" someone else's creation.

Additionally, I struggle with the idea that the technology removes the "soul" of the artistry in creating the work. I will have to use this sort of technology in my job more and more in the future, and it is a very dispassionate experience. It does not simply feel like a new tool to use in the creation of the art. It feels like a replacement for the creation of the art. Just my view, and I apologize to those that I offend. It is not intended. It is just the way that I feel. I understand and respect the skill involved on the part of the creator, but for me emotionally, it is not the same as creating something with my hands.

I find that thus far, I am generally skipping the purchase of miniatures that computer technology. Something about it just doesn't "feel" right.

The only thing I've found is sometimes detail that looks great on the figure can range from challenging to almost impossible to actually paint.

DM

I get that the building in particular looks too "perfect" but a more talented computer artist will work in those imperfections. After all, even with humans doing the sculpting I may like a certain figure that someone else hates.

Irishserb says it well.

I agree that this is probably going to be a huge trend for the future--it's so easy--but must say I share your dislike of most of the new "sculpts". It sounds strange, but they are too accurate, too crisp, and somehow seem to lack the personality of traditionally sculpted figures. Now, I have to confess that I may be a little unusual in this area, in that I have always preferred character over realism in sculpts; but to me many modern figures come across as rather soul-less (if such a term can be used for little lumps of lead).

To give a concrete example, I greatly prefer Bob Murch's Pulp sculpts, though they are quite unrealistic, to many of the computer generated products coming out today. It's hard to put a finger on what's wrong with them. But something is missing.

As has been said, things like vehicles aren't adversely affected in the same way.

There's a lot of stuff out there designed by human sculptors that I don't care for, so …..

I've not had first hand experience of computer created figures but I suspect they may well look and feel too sterile to be pleasurable to paint and game with. The building shown is dreadful and is typical of something that has been digitally designed without any reference to the real world.

If you think some figures look too nice to paint, just wait until I'm done with 'em!

Computer designed models aren't 'easier' and it still comes down to the talent of the sculptor. The computer is a tool, and a tool only. If the artist wielding that tool isn't very good, you end up with models that aren't very good.

Or are we saying that all hand sculpted miniatures are wonderful works of art?

It all depends on the skill level of the sculptor, the concept art and the companies manufacturing capabilities.

Digital work has it good points and bad. There are times when a traditional sculpt can be preferable, and times when a digital sculpt is.

Keep in mind, digital sculpting and 3D printing are the "shiny new toy" of the industry. Since it's a more modern, high-tech method of manufacturing it also can give the illusion that a company is larger and more professional than it really is.

There are a lot of variables to take into consideration.

Interesting points by all. Winston, I didn't mean to imply that I like all sculpts by traditional sculptors. Quite the contrary!

TGerritsen, I have to admit to rather liking those two figures--they have a kind of lumpy charm--and think they would paint up well (though the tentacles need to be adjusted on the first); so there you are. What's nice is that there seems to be plenty of product for different tastes, wherever they might lie on the spectrum. Long may it continue.

Miniatures aren't "computer designed." They're still designed by humans, just using different tools. Obviously there's a range of skills required – as well as varying levels of those skills among designers – to be effective.

I wonder, however, if some of the negative reaction (which I sometimes share) is due to presentation: these images not of actual miniatures on the tabletop, but of CAD models floating in space. Those are pretty off-putting.

I think it also runs a bit into the Uncanny Valley where some models approach the "looks too real but not real enough" that occurs when you get less abstract and more detailed.

I don't have any reservations about CAD designed miniatures, buildings or anything else. If they are well-designed, I will buy them. Crappy figures can be CAD designed or sculpted!

Oh, I'd buy those zombies and that building in a heartbeat. The zombies would be perfect for Pike&Shot&Zombies!

No I don't like CAD figures, I like the fact that the things I paint by hand were crafted by hand, but then I'm a bit of a technophile anyway, I dislike CGI films and much prefer older ones with proper models and men in rubber suits. A prime example of this is "Thunderbirds" I can sit and marvel at the skill that went into all the models and puppets of the original, but the skill and effort that has obviously been put into the new version just leaves me cold.

Why is every time they "improve" something it gets worse!

Oh and sorry but I'd take the two metal figures above over the plastic "Zom's" in a heartbeat.

Cheers Roger.

I don't like cad designd figurs because they lack soul. They lack those tiny imperfections that give a figure character.

I've been saying this or a while now but I believe that 3d printing will be the death of the hobby. When full colour printing comes along all you will see are sterile armies of soulless figures marching atop the table. It will be a matter of purchasing your cad files and printing off your figures in your home and bunging them onto stands. Any sort of skill and pride in you efforts will be gone and your little army will look just the same as all the other little armies.

I think CAD will have a large following, though many of us will appreciate stuff sculpting using the older methods, by true artists (not that the computer sculptors/designers aren't artists too – they're just working in a different medium).

Why is every time they "improve" something it gets worse!

You kids get off my lawn!

I wouldn't worry too much about 3D printing hitting that stage of home-printing just yet.

Even the best 3D printers used in the industry by companies like GW and PP produce prints that still require a lot of work to be usable for manufacturing.

Resin from those type of printers also tends to be very fragile and the prints break easily, especially across the layers.

The computer is a tool, that's all.

The computer is your friend! Trust the computer!

The best digital sculpts I've seen are by good, 'traditional' sculptors (by which I mean "putty pushers").

I think, for example, the latest Crooked Dice releases are fantastic.

John T

The computer renderings I see everyone going on about always appear to me as to be almost "drawings" and the actual figure, in whatever medium, never seem to be as good as the eye candy shown on the computer. Am I the only one to ever notice that?
Regards
Russ Dunaway

@RussDunaway

I think that has to do with a lack of knowledge about 3D printing and moldmaking/casting by the sculptor.

Because they can easily zoon in on a model they can add fine details that can't easily be picked up by 3D printing, you lose a lot of details in the print.

In my experience this is fairly common. I've met very few sculptors with in-depth knowledge of moldmaking/casting and even fewer digital sculptors with that knowledge.

So the renders look great, but when they get the print a lot of details are lost.

I get what the OP is saying but as others note it's the wizard, not the wand.

:-)

I also noticed something similar in the business world when graphics transitioned from analog to digital. There was a period when designers who were not careful relied too much on their screens. The logos they produced looked great on screen but had trouble in production where challenges like the physics of ink applied to paper appear.

There was also the problem of things looking nicely proportioned on-screen (CRT) only to look clumsy and awkward in print.

Technology AND procedures have improved to mitigate those issues. Even new screen technology has helped tremendously (yes, moving from curved surface CRTs to flat screen LEDs improved things!).

But there were lifeless figures BEFORE CAD figures. Ral Partha comes to mind on that score.

The computer renderings I see everyone going on about always appear to me as to be almost "drawings" and the actual figure, in whatever medium, never seem to be as good as the eye candy shown on the computer. Am I the only one to ever notice that?

The guy who designed the Dreamforge Games Eisenkern certainly knew what he was doing!
Once again I'll state you can design great or crappy figures by CAD or sculpt.