"The Future is Now" Topic

Just a short while ago there was DEEP, hostility tinged skepticism about how long until 3D printed "painted" miniatures might appear: TMP link

This will occur much faster than I could have hoped.

doob3d.com

Makes me think of places out in Cali where "Super Hero" types work for $$ taking photos with the tourists.

I am sure there will be a number of people out there that would hire out as your model---forget searching for that 1 special, hire out your model---you can even get the pose you want

Yep, if you want to pay $95 USD for a 10cm high figure (the cheapest option…)

Mike

Waiting for the Dorian Grey features to be enabled

For the resolution for 28mm or thereabouts, the cost is still quite high for getting prints that can then be molded. In fact, the costs for the process using 3D vs putty is still much more expensive with the extra print step. The advantage of 3D is being able to make adjustments as many times as you like. This can be done with putty by making dollies.

No matter what it takes some skill to use the software, which is expensive, and like sculpting putty, at least with newer sculptors, you typically learn with each model that is made.

I still don't see the price coming down to what is needed for the consumer.

Second, no one has time to paint now. So until you can print them repainted (and that step will take time to set up for every item) it is way way off. Maybe green army men with black boots and a flesh colored face could be done in a few years, but forget the colorful detailed uniformed periods.

Who said no one has time to paint any more.

I'm painting as much as ever before.

"Who said no one has time to paint any more."

With all the diversions, time is constrained was my point. I just can't see many putting this much effort into 3D after the expense based upon the time constraints on painting for most today.

Heck I remember having to spend hours prepping figures just to prime. Then I figured my time was worth something and if I wanted to make any progress I had to buy better quality product.

I just don't think 3D printing will have much of an affect for the regular gamer for at least a decade if ever.

Flashman14, I think you're inventing the hostility. The deep skepticism is there, but is entirely justified. Painted figures have been available since Bill Britain's day, and I suspect there's less time and money involved in shipping them to and from Sri Lanka today then in having them shipped "purchase painted" from Spain in 1970.

As a way of mass-producing hundreds of French line infantry, I don't see 3D printing superseding injection molding or spin casting. What 3D printing will permit is the unique figure and the one you absolutely HAVE to have for Saturday's game. That will come, and it will be one more expensive trinket. In ten years, the wargamer prepared to pay $50 USD will be able to have a 28mm general with the face of the wargamer. In twenty years, it will cost $5 USD, we'll make up command figures especially for big games.

Big. Hairy. Deal.

Every one of us sits here with so many castings that storage is a major problem. Miniature wargaming has difficulties, but the price of figures doesn't make the top ten.

Opponents. Rules. Basing. Scenarios.

I think 3D printing will definitely make a big impact but given how archaic our hobby already is (and often loved exactly because it's archaic) I don't expect a drastic overthrow.

$95 USD today will be
45 next year (rounding)
30 next year
15 in three years
8 in 4 years
4 in 5 years
2 in 6 years.

Maybe double or triple the time increments. Unlike simple electronics there is the printing "ink" to account for so no clue as to what the bottom price would be.

Skepticism is not hostility.
I am skeptical about most of the time scenarios given above too.

As I'm continually reminded, a big chunk of the hobby hates painting and too many feel like they begrudgingly have do it in order to get to the game.

Now there's a good chance that 3D colored figures could soon be a better value for many people.

I myself would get into some ready-made side projects while at the same time enjoying the hobby as it exists today.

Don't forget the law of accelerating returns.

I don't think a hobbyist would start such a venture. It'd be a division of some other entity or a large toy maker who realizes that paying Chinese children to dot in eyes on models on a conveyor belt makes no economic sense anymore.

Actually, I think we've moved beyond that already. My girls' massive variety of dolls have beautifully painted faces at all sizes.

As I understand it, these machines can print anything – figures are just an example. It's not like they have to make a mold that can only be used for its created purpose. These are infinitely more flexible.

I don't know how one can recognize massive changes in the development of planes, phones and computers in our own lifetimes and then draw the line here. Here is where it can't be done.

A friend of mine uses sketch up to design models in 3d,then takes the file to our local university branch to use the 3d printer in the library. Models only cost a couple of bucks.

I'm not afraid to admit my mistakes: Competing companies have been offering this kind of service for a few years now, meaning we're further along than I thought.

Just toying with a marketing sample. Game pieces with You as the player piece (instead of a token). How long until You can have AMC's Walking Dead brand zombies to fight against?

But the items offered are much bigger than 28mm or less. Taking colored items out of the equation at the moment, resolution and smooth surfaces is the issue.

Until the 10-20K Machines are $500 USD, don't jam in the middle of a print, and don;t take hours to complete, this will not be viable for mass market.

Just my opinion of course.

My only point is that like all new technologies, early models are clunky and expensive (think cell phones), but as more and more competitors tinker and try to lower costs and wring some wealth out of the endeavor, these inventions improve dramatically and costs plummet.

Smaller figures will take less time and input material of course. The fact that there are half a dozen companies in this market already is a great sign it's moving in the right direction.

I would be shocked if Hasbro or Mattel is not looking into this very seriously. Soon WOTC or Wizkids (National Entertainment Collectibles Association) could be players.