"New service from Shapeways: free, 3D modelling software..." Topic

Shapeways is now offering a free, web-based, 3D modeling program, which utilizes existing 3D drawings, which you can modify, and then have them print for you. My question is, does Shapeway's 3D printers have sufficient resolution that the horizontal lines, and striations seen in the home printed models on this forum, would not be present? Not trying to insult anyone, just wondering if their printers are much higher resolution -- which is what I suspect.

I have a few models printed by Shapeways: two 1/144 scale WW I aeroplanes, not available anywhere else. They do not appear to have the striations I see in home-printed models. They're not perfectly smooth, such as are possible with molded figures made out of resin/plastic/metal, but they're quite good.

I am curious whether I could submit some of the free 3D models of AD&D Monster Manual figures to Shapeways, for printing. Honestly, I doubt that I would modify them at all. It seems like I could get some decent quality models of monsters which are not practical for miniatures companies to model, cast, and sell, by using Shapeway's new service. Cheers!

If you're printing in one of the Frosted Detail materials, you will see very few striations, but there is not currently a material option from Shapways that will give you a surface comparable to injection moulded plastic.

The tank you see in my thread here was printed in FXD material:

TMP link

Thanks for the response. I think I will need to take the plunge, and give it a try. Pricing will make/break this option, so here's to hoping it is highly affordable, and competitive with other options… Cheers!