"Will 3D Printing change tabletop gaming as we know it?" Topic

The only metal ones I have that old are because they don't get used.

To be fair there may be another issue. With 3D prints you can get bases down to 0.6mm (24 Thou)and be functional and shaped to be the minimum stable size so they are not walking on stilts in their own diorama. Vehicles I never base, they are not supposed to be on plinths. On that basis I have to pick up the figures and vehicles and even turn the turrets on the vehicles like when we were kids, not shifting not shifting them on huge plinths.
My experience is that 3D prints tolerate handling and dropping much better due to minimal weight and toughness of the material and paint sticks better than on metal for me.

Maybe that is another advance for 3D printing the death of the supper thick useless stand. Replaced by the least intrusive base that is practical. troop heights now much more closely match the height of the vehicles.

My experience is that 3D prints tolerate handling and dropping much better due to minimal weight and toughness of the material

This is true and a very good point. I've dropped plastic miniatures off a table with no damage at a distance that would've busted pieces off of metal.

A quick answer to the main question is – 3d computer tech and printing has already changed the hobby as we know it. Both the business side of it and the hobby side.
Don't know who made the comment that metal armies don't last more than two years, but I disagree vehemently. I still have 25mm old minifig units that I played with over 50 years ago and they can go another 50 if I can.
Toby Barrett

Many of my minifigs have lost spears, very easily broken.

"On that basis I have to pick up the figures and vehicles and even turn the turrets on the vehicles like when we were kids, not shifting not shifting them on huge plinths."

Word up, I handle my figures not the bases. Base 20mm on washers, 6mm infantry as fireteams on thin metal squares and never base vehicles in any scale. I like them to blend into the terrain and not seem like they're floating above it. Of course this leads to more direct handling and yes I get chips on my metals : (

Of course the bigest single change for me is the elimination of the "lead Mountain" well almost.

It is replaced by the semi infinite To Do STL file list, but it takes up only file space, leaving more space for actively used minis. ;-)

I started printing in late May of 2022 with a single Elegoo Mars Pro 2 resin printer. I now have six of them and four Mars 3Pro printers. I turn out well over $1,000 USD a month in miniature sales off my website and eBay. Currently most of my sales are LOTR and Medieval ranges by Medbury Miniatures. I also sell a lot of H&M miniatures by Madox 3D.

I can offer these miniatures in 28/40 and 54mm scales. amazing side gig :)