Last Hussar | 30 May 2016 6:31 a.m. PST |
Within a few years I doubt that we will have sculptors like the Perry's and Pendraken's Phill. As soon as we can print a master the modelling will be done on computer. Note I am not talking mass printing of figures, I mean the master. I don't know about materials, so there may be a intermediate stage Printed->mould-> master->current master, but the costs will be more than covered by the savings of not doing it by hand. Modern 3d programmes allow you to easily modify a figure. Once you have the basic 'T-post' (that is arms outstretched to the sides), then manipulating the 'rig' is easy enough to produce any number of poses. A variety of head gear is easy enough to produce, as would be facial expressions and equipment. |
FABET01 | 30 May 2016 6:43 a.m. PST |
Everyone is always predicting the end of something in art. The end of traditional art by digital art was predicted two decades ago. Never happened. It fact traditional art has expanded as artist who start in digital discover traditional techniques. I heard that the end of traditional figure sculpting was here over 10 years ago. It's still not gone. We are talking commercial art ( a term I hate – the only art not commercial is art that no one but the creator sees) and industrial standards call for the end product to be digital. But there will always be a sculptor who works traditionally – either because he enjoys it or because a small run can't justify digital production costs. |
Vigilant | 30 May 2016 7:13 a.m. PST |
I love the way people think that computer created figures just seem to happen. Someone still has to do the modelling, the computer doesn't do it itself. You don't just push a button and a figure miraculously appears. There will always be sculptors either of a physical model or a digital one, and that will depend on individual abilities and interests. |
Mick the Metalsmith | 30 May 2016 7:32 a.m. PST |
I still see a lot of acoustic guitars being used despite the synthesizer. Tools increase cost-effectiveness, and save time for some who have vision. It might mean that some people who think they can't carve a straight line will be able to use Blender to make a sculpt professionally, but in the end most, people who think this will not have the eye either and just end up with bad art. What it will mean is that the ability to pirate sculpts will be such that the return on investment for the work to create an original might be lower. |
Last Hussar | 30 May 2016 7:39 a.m. PST |
Vigilante – I mean they guy who works with 'green stuff'. My kids are both in Further/Higher Ed in 3d computer games- I know what happens- The youngest's first assignment on 3d modelling was a hand which he did really well, far better than he or I could do in clay. The creators will be the games who already work in CGI/3d. Like I say, once you have the basic figure dressed, it is the work of seconds to do 'marching', 'advancing', 'firing', 'kneeling' etc. What we are basically waiting on is 3d printers of high enough 'resolution'. |
Last Hussar | 30 May 2016 7:41 a.m. PST |
Mick – different guitars give different sounds – that is a difference in the product. If you buy furniture, do you care if it was cut and drilled by robot or by hand if then end product is the same? |
Editor in Chief Bill | 30 May 2016 8:23 a.m. PST |
Someone still has to do the modelling… Unless you can 3Dscan. |
Extra Crispy | 30 May 2016 8:30 a.m. PST |
Digital sculpting requires the same skills as sculpting in clay or putty – a good eye, practice, and a solid understanding of the art. When I worked for McDonald's about 15-20 years ago all their toy sculptors were making the switch. Mainly due to cost. It was often far easier to change a digital sculpt than a physical one – especially in "what if it were 12% bigger?" The same thing has happened in animation. My brother used to make a great living at it. But what he got paid to do 10 years ago the software now does automatically – just hit CMD + F3. So he went into video production and bought a studio instead. You can already buy 3D sculpt files. I think I could figure out how to modify those if I wanted. Make an AFV variant, or a custom RPG character. This is the last generation of sculptors doing certain work a certain way. Buggy whip manufacturers sopped making those but the leather working and carpentry skills translated to lots of other things. |
Lovejoy | 30 May 2016 9:47 a.m. PST |
Last Hussar wrote: What we are basically waiting on is 3d printers of high enough 'resolution'. Not at all – many miniatures companies already use them. Games Workshop and Wyrd, to name two, have worked almost exclusively with digital for several years now. Note because they are primarily producing plastics, they never need to print a master – the digital files are simply fed to the cnc cutter to produce tooling. Many smaller companies also work this digitally, with printed masters; there are loads of places to get your masters printed at high resolution, and you can have them printed in vulcanisable materials. Some of us pro sculptors work digitally and get masters printed; others still work physically with a variety of putties. It's all down to personal preference and the requirements of the job in hand. I can't see a time when putty sculpting dies out, TBH – I for one have no interest in going digital at all… |
Rubber Suit Theatre | 30 May 2016 10:50 a.m. PST |
Out of an idle sense of perverse curiosity, I googled buggy whips for purchase. They seem to go for about $12 USD-$20 USD. |
IUsedToBeSomeone | 30 May 2016 10:55 a.m. PST |
Not happening – there are still people making figures the traditional jewellery way from metal and solder….. |
Mick the Metalsmith | 30 May 2016 3:06 p.m. PST |
If you buy furniture, do you care if it was cut and drilled by robot or by hand if then end product is the same? I think there is a hell of a difference between a chair made by IKEA and a chair made by Charles Rohlfs. I think there is a hell of a difference between a handmade piece of jewelry or a guitar and a cadcam generated piece. There is a big difference between a canvas painted by hand and an image that is printed after going through photoshop. There are some incredible artists taking advantage of the new digital tools but there are many respectable artists who will forego the tools for the nuance, serendipity, overtones, and other effects that a hand-tooled piece has. Both have their place, but one is not so easy to copy. (I have a bit of experience in 3d modeling from a background in TV, but my jewelry work is completely by hand. On the other hand, I have seen some spectacular items that could only be realized by the new digital tools)
15mm figs and smaller probably won't matter, these are not really art. 28mm and larger, there will be both for a while. Most figures are not enough of a "fine" artform to remain purely handmade for long. The end user won't care about it needing to be so in the same way that a furniture piece or jewelry item would need to be. |
Mick the Metalsmith | 30 May 2016 3:16 p.m. PST |
The youngest's first assignment on 3d modelling was a hand which he did really well, far better than he or I could do in clay. Rubbish, he probably could do just as well with the clay. The techniques are not so difficult. Don't sell yourself short. People who say they can't draw are usually too lazy to master it. Eye hand coordination is a skill that must be practiced and it doesn't take much time. People give up way too easily, in the mistaken belief that it takes "talent". The reality is people resort to the use of icons and codes as shortcuts when drawing and therefore fail to depict what they actually see. (upside down 7's for noses, stick figures, etc. instead of shadow and light) Talent lies elsewhere, talent is the ability to create and organize ideas and translate them into finished pieces. It uses techniques but the techniques themselves are mechanical/physical and anyone can achieve basic competence with a little effort and willingness. |
Mick the Metalsmith | 30 May 2016 3:21 p.m. PST |
Like I say, once you have the basic figure dressed, it is the work of seconds to do 'marching', 'advancing', 'firing', 'kneeling' etc. except the folds of cloth need to be adjusted to lay right. |
IanKHemm | 30 May 2016 4:23 p.m. PST |
I've thought about and posted about this topic several times and I agree with the premise that Last Hussar puts forward. Just look at the timeline of the home printer form 9 dot matrix to inkjet or laser printer. Initially only you work place may have had a dot matrix but now any home user can produce high quality prints. You also have to think about customers and product. I think I could confidently guarantee that at least 90% of wargamers would, if they could, purchase a single digital file of a figure and print out a unit full of them at will, when required. For example: "I need a squadron of French Dragoons. I'll buy the data file (immediate delivery), turn on my 3d printer and print out the unit." Later I might need a whole regiment. No worries, I'll just print them out. And believe me, 3d printing may be in it's infancy but full colour 3d printing is on the way. Some may scoff but it's true and, again, I can absolutely guarantee that most of you will take advantage of it. It's all a matter of supply and demand. |
clibinarium | 30 May 2016 4:36 p.m. PST |
How will people value such downloadable files? What will prevent them from being pirated freely? |
Korinindae | 15 Jun 2016 1:25 p.m. PST |
I'm not trying to argue but I have to respectfully disagree with your comparison IanKHemm. The reason we move from dot matrix, to inkjet and then to laser was due to increased quality of output, speed and noise levels. If someone just wants a basic miniature unit with a simple pose, then sure, a 3D program will kick it out to a 3D printer. However, if you're looking for something that really grabs the eye and is a piece of art, you'll be much more hard-pressed to find that from a 3D program anytime soon. You'd need almost unique poses for every figure, program logic that would make hair or clothing lie in proper patterns or appear to be blown back from wind or running, etc. That quality is still lacking in 3D sculpts that I have seen. 3D modeling will no doubt become more popular and may even be the norm with time but there will always be those that create by hand and I believe those will be sought out by collectors wanting something special in their collection. |