"One 3D Model, Many Bases?" Topic
6 Posts
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Andy Skinner  | 20 Jul 2016 5:34 a.m. PST |
At first I read this as "I've made an easy way to rebase a single miniatures, plugging it onto several compatible bases." But now I see you're talking about a different kind of model. Still very interesting. andy |
| John Treadaway | 20 Jul 2016 12:40 p.m. PST |
I'm still not impressed… John T |
 Editor in Chief Bill   | 20 Jul 2016 1:42 p.m. PST |
Well, as 3Dprinters improve, this model will still be available…  |
| The GM | 20 Jul 2016 6:22 p.m. PST |
I actually printed the movement trays and some of the bases for my current 28mm AWI project on my 3d printer. Pretty good stuff, considering they are covered. |
| robert piepenbrink | 20 Jul 2016 6:26 p.m. PST |
Wrong way around. Mostly we need hundreds of identical bases. 3D printers--and supplies for them--are going to have to get pretty darn cheap to compete with custom bases from Litko. The future of 3D printing for wargamers is in printing unique things--36 French Napoleonic infantry, each slightly different--taller, shorter, different trousers, shoes or equipment--or a company of 22 Panzer IV's each with different stowage. When you can put your own face on a 28mm fantasy adventurer or historical general, every gaming group in the English-speaking world will own one. Ten years is my guess, unless the lawyers gum things up. |
| Minimaker | 21 Jul 2016 1:26 p.m. PST |
Bill, you're getting the hang of it. I had planned to tell you about parametric design some time but you are already there. :D Robert: Material costs 20x20x3 hollow base:
- Resin SLA or DLP print(€77/L): about 60 EUROcent per 10.
- PLA FDM print (€25/kg) 8 EUROcent per 10.
But the actual costs comes from buying the machine, printing and handling time (3D printers are not for mass production) and such things. Owning a machine is only of interest if you do more with it or if you buy it with a group (like a lathe for a scale modellers association). Of course you can always use hubs.com to find people who may want to print things for you. I think that printing bases is most interesting for those looking for movement trays, special bases (for painters and collectors) or customized bases (for instance with you name or other text in/on it for identification. Wargamers need them in quantity: might as well buy them from mass production (injection moulding). As to all those things you mention: technically already possible. You just need to get the digital base models or make them yourself. Some examples of related projects.
- unique figures: heroforge.com
- tanks with different stowage: get the different items and mix and match in 3D builder. link
- you face on a figure: I don't think somebody has that service yet for miniatures. Action figures, bobblehead, etc. yes. For LEGO: funky3dfaces.com With 28mm it's more difficult since just shrinking a scanned head to 1/60 scale will not leave enough details to recognize the face. So a sculptor will be needed to accentuate bits. To explain the process: link |
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