Jakiś czas temu do naszego solarisowego grona zgłosił się Zigzak (TU macie jego blog) z ofertą tworzenia figurek za pomocą drukarki 3D. No i po jakiś dwóch miesiącach kombinowania nad wzorem modelu przedstawiam pierwszy efekt kooperacji. Model Mecha Catapult z BattleTecha.
Some time ago, a guy named Zigzak approached our Solaris7.pl community with an offer of creating miniatures of Mechs using a 3D printer. And so after two months of working on a 3D model, I give you the first fruits of our cooperation. A Catapult Mech for BattleTech.
Some time ago, a guy named Zigzak approached our Solaris7.pl community with an offer of creating miniatures of Mechs using a 3D printer. And so after two months of working on a 3D model, I give you the first fruits of our cooperation. A Catapult Mech for BattleTech.
To jest wersja K2 uzbrojona w dwa PPC (działa molekularne dla tych co się zatrzymali na polskiej edycji Encore). Ale zrobiliśmy także wersję C1 ze zdwojoną wyrzutnią rakiet LRM 15.
This is the K2 version armed with two PPCs. But we also made the C1 version with twin LRM15 launchers.
This is the K2 version armed with two PPCs. But we also made the C1 version with twin LRM15 launchers.
Do druku wykorzystaliśmy model z Mechwarriora Online (robimy to na własny użytek nie na handel, więc nie naruszamy niczyich praw autorskich), który musiał zostać odpowiednio przygotowany przez grafika. Pobrany model z MWO ma dużo dziur które należy wypełnić, drobne elementy tj. drabinki i inne wystające dynksy, które podczas druku po prostu odpadłyby z modelu i inne elementy np. płyty pancerza, które w rzeczywistości połaczone są z resztą modelu jedynie w paru punktach. W grze to nie przeszkadza, ale jak chcemy przełożyć model na coś rzeczywistego to trzeba nad nim nieco popracować. Model składa się z czterech części: nóg, korpusu i pary "uszu" z uzbrojeniem. Odpowiednio umieszczone bolce i dziury ułatwiają połączenie wszystkiego w całość. W sumie nawet nie trzeba kleju aby to połączyć bo wszystko wchodzi na wcisk.
We used the Mechwarrior Online model as a basis (we made those only for our personal use, not for further selling, so we don't violate any copyrights), which had to be properly prepared by the 3D modeller. The MWO model has many holes that had to be filled, small elements like ladders and small extruding things, which would fall apart during printing process, and other elements like armor plates that are connected with the rest of the model only in few points. It's not a problem in the game, but if we want to translate the model into a real thing it requires some work. The print consists of four parts: legs, torso and a pair of 'ears' with weapons. Conveniently placed bolts and holes allow to easily put the parts together. Actually you don't even need glue to do that, they all snap-fit.
We used the Mechwarrior Online model as a basis (we made those only for our personal use, not for further selling, so we don't violate any copyrights), which had to be properly prepared by the 3D modeller. The MWO model has many holes that had to be filled, small elements like ladders and small extruding things, which would fall apart during printing process, and other elements like armor plates that are connected with the rest of the model only in few points. It's not a problem in the game, but if we want to translate the model into a real thing it requires some work. The print consists of four parts: legs, torso and a pair of 'ears' with weapons. Conveniently placed bolts and holes allow to easily put the parts together. Actually you don't even need glue to do that, they all snap-fit.
Na zdjęciach może nie widać jeszcze zbytnio szczegółów z uwagi na półprzezroczysty materiał z jakiego wykonano wydruk. Na dniach postaram się go pokryć podkładem to będzie widać więcej. Model ma 36mm wysokosci, mieści się na standardowej podstawce do BT i generalnie nie odstaje zbytnio od reszty metalowych figurek z IWM czy RPE (można raczej powiedzieć, że to tamte mają problem z trzymaniem skali).
Photos may not give all the details, because of the semitransparent material they're made of. I'll try to give it a spray basecoat in a few days, and hopefully you'll be able to see more. The model is 36mm high, fits a standard hex base, and generally does not stand out from his metal IWM or RPE counterparts (you can rather say that it is those that have a problem with keeping the scale).
Photos may not give all the details, because of the semitransparent material they're made of. I'll try to give it a spray basecoat in a few days, and hopefully you'll be able to see more. The model is 36mm high, fits a standard hex base, and generally does not stand out from his metal IWM or RPE counterparts (you can rather say that it is those that have a problem with keeping the scale).
Co do samej technologii druku 3D. Na pewno daje ona niespotykane dotąd możliwości stworzenia bardzo pięknej figurki Mecha, pełnej szczegółów, których nie jest w stanie oddać metalowa figurka. Spotkałem się już ze stwierdzeniami, że właśnie tak powinny wyglądać figurki do BattleTecha bo wygląd aktualnych metali odstrasza wielu do systemu. Cóż de gustibus non disputandum, ale nie można nie potwierdzić, ze wydrukowana figurka jest o wiele ładniejsza od jej metalowego odpowiednika (którego akturat nie posiadam, musicie uwierzyć mi na słowo). Wydruk daje też większe możliwości modyfikowania wersji poszczególnych Mechów. Tak jak widać na zdjęciu nie ma problemu aby zdjąć PPCory i zamontować na ich miejsce wyrzutnie LRM. Jak wspomniałem części wchodzą na wcisk i nawet nie trzeba kleju aby je połączyć. Czyli nawet można nią symulować obroty korpusu ;).
As for the 3D printing technology. It certainly gives unprecedented opportunities to create a very beautiful Mech minis, full of details, which are not able to get in a metal cast figure. I already met with the statements that this is how should Battletech figures look like, because the look of metals deter many from playing the game. Well, de gustibus non disputandum, but I must say that the printed figure is much prettier than its metal counterpart (which I don't have, you have to take my word for it). Also 3D printing gives you a greater ability to modify the version of each Mech. As you can see in the picture there is no problem to remove the PPCs and install LRM launchers in their place. As I mentioned parts snap-fit and do not even need the glue to keep them together. So even you can use it to simulate torso twists ;).
As for the 3D printing technology. It certainly gives unprecedented opportunities to create a very beautiful Mech minis, full of details, which are not able to get in a metal cast figure. I already met with the statements that this is how should Battletech figures look like, because the look of metals deter many from playing the game. Well, de gustibus non disputandum, but I must say that the printed figure is much prettier than its metal counterpart (which I don't have, you have to take my word for it). Also 3D printing gives you a greater ability to modify the version of each Mech. As you can see in the picture there is no problem to remove the PPCs and install LRM launchers in their place. As I mentioned parts snap-fit and do not even need the glue to keep them together. So even you can use it to simulate torso twists ;).
Oczywiście w beczce miodu musi być i łyżka dziegciu. Wydruk nie jest tani. Taki model kosztował nas około 50 zł za sztukę (wliczając w to prowizję dla grafika) ale tylko dlatego że udało nam się uzbierać wystarczająco dużo chętnych aby zapełnić całą platformę drukarki. Z drugiej strony Catapult w IWM kosztuje 13,25$ co daje około 40 zł, a dojdą do tego jeszcze koszty przesyłki ze Stanów Zjednoczonych i być może celnicy coś dorzucą od siebie. Cenowo jest zatem porównywalnie, ale jakość zdecydowanie jest po stronie wydruku.
Of course there has to be a spoon of tar in a barrel of honey. 3D printing isn't cheap. Such a model costs about 50 PLN/12,5 euro/17$/10 pounds (including the modelers commission) and only because we had enough people interested to fill and entire printer tray. But on the other side a IWM Catapult costs about 13,25$ which is about 40 PLN, and you must pay postal costs and probably additional taxes from the customs. So it's about the same price really, but the quality is definitely on the side of the 3D print.
Of course there has to be a spoon of tar in a barrel of honey. 3D printing isn't cheap. Such a model costs about 50 PLN/12,5 euro/17$/10 pounds (including the modelers commission) and only because we had enough people interested to fill and entire printer tray. But on the other side a IWM Catapult costs about 13,25$ which is about 40 PLN, and you must pay postal costs and probably additional taxes from the customs. So it's about the same price really, but the quality is definitely on the side of the 3D print.
W solarisowej braci kombinujemy już nad kolejnymi modelami. Ja sam też grzebię w paru programach do modelowania 3D. W końcu to niby przyszłość gier bitewnych jest. Temat ten na pewno pojawi się jeszcze na łamach bloga.
I actually got interested in the topic and I dabble in some 3D modeling programs. They say it's the future of wargaming. So you can expect to see some more of it on this blog.
I actually got interested in the topic and I dabble in some 3D modeling programs. They say it's the future of wargaming. So you can expect to see some more of it on this blog.
Co sądzcie na temat wydruków 3D?
What do you think about 3D printing?
What do you think about 3D printing?
