3D Printed Minatures

Once you have finalised how everything looks and you have released the game you should make some 3D printed models of units in your game and flog them on your website, or allow backers to upgrade to a package that includes them.

Having said that I guess I could just remake the units in 3D and print one out myself.... Hmmmmmm.

So for things like units it's better to just get them mass made instead of using a 3d printer. According to my friend Ed who started figure prints.

Pretty much, 3D printing is great for prototypes or one offs, but if you want to get into larger space production you need to look elsewhere like Injection Molding or something.

Mike

For a cheap start up - pewter injection is a great choice
For an expensive start up, but cheap to continue - plastic injection
For small quantities - 3D printing


Was part of a fundraiser campaign to create a new miniature wargame. This topic came up and was discussed extensively.

I'd love to be able to download the model & textures or order a 3d printed miniature that was custom made to my liking - Something like the full colour sandstone prints from Shapeways. Something bigger, but more statue-style than Gamesworkshop miniature style. So by custom I mean being able to pick my size, pose, and material.

I could see PA chess figures.

my desktop is screaming out for some little uber robots to be sitting on it.

I own a 3d printer. I would kinda of agree that 3d printing of miniatures is not all that great.

However if you print big, you can make some nice models.

I sure would like the choice to do this ....

Just post the 3D models online. People can print their own from Shapeways.com or something in whatever material, quantity or size they want...

That would be the Best Idea as for Shapeways ne need following Specs:

Uploading 3D files:
Maximum size: 64 MB or 1 million polygons
Filetypes: DAE, OBJ, STL, X3D, X3DB, X3DV, WRL
Color printing: WRL, X3D, X3DB, X3DV
For textures: GIF, JPG, PNG
ZIP: Containing filetypes above
Privacy: Product will be private by default(Can be changed to sell that moddel for/to other user´s)

so ÜBER can i might ask to get the Delta commander in one of the Files with color in 10 CM hight?


PLEASE!

That wouldn't look like what you are expecting. Most models are actually rather low on detail. Sure, they appear to be quite detailed when you see them in game (from a large distance, never full screen), but thats nowhere enough to turn them into appealing miniatures. You would need to create a high poly model for every unit, the in game models just won't fit. Even more so if you want to print that stuff in color, you can't just take the texture and the model and expect that to look anything like what you wanted, the coloring needs to be quite different from what you have (not what you see, but what is actually used as base).

I dunno, their visualization models are already quite details (delta commander for example).. But yes, texturing and such would have to be tweaked for 3d printing.

My man !

I would also love to get my hands on a model in .stl format to print it at home
I think the bots from the kickstarter trailer would look nice and should be printable!

I created the Halkings canon and shoots missile platform!
But I can not upload picture because they are too heavy (2.12MB)

I plan on selling things like this through PA Matches when I can get the licensing.

If you start selling miniature models for a reasonable price, I'll be one of your first customers.

Dox or fabbers = pawns
vanguards/levelers = rooks
bishops = sniper bots
Bombers = Knights
Commander = King
Halley'ed moon = queen xD or just make it a nuke but... ya...

Got to be SXX. Nukes are hard to visualise, you could show the nuke launcher but it's static :S

edit: How about a chess set for every tech branch? Mix and match as desired

Orbital
King: Commander
Queen: SXX
Rook: Anchor
Knight: Fabber
Bishop: Astraeus
Pawn: Avenger

Naval
King: Commander
Queen: Leviathan
Rook: Stinger
Knight: Narwhal
Bishop: Orca
Pawn: Sun Fish

Vehicle
King: Commander
Queen: Sheller
Rook: Vanguard
Knight: Spinner
Bishop: Leveller
Pawn: Ant

Bot
King: Commander
Queen: Gil-E
Rook: Slammer
Knight: Stinger
Bishop: Boom bot
Pawn: Dox

OT: As we're talking about custom chess sets, here's a custom set done right:

ooooo I know!


Someone come up with 3D paper models that we can print out and fold ala paper craft.