Playing with figures!

[chappyman66]

Doc....the layer height comparison was very valuable to me.
It's all about what resolution you want. I tried a 0.07 layer height and it made a huge difference. The curve isn't linear.....the low layer height means many more layers so it's a longer print....but if you want the quality it makes a HUGE difference.
I don't bother on that with chassis, by the way.

[waaytoomuchintothis]

[dreinecke]

I did a big batch this time - 15 at once and they turned out pretty well. I did tell Cura to add supports this time and they took 30 hours! I won't do that again, as there was really no quality issues or breakage on these. A few are a bit lined, but a with another coat of primer and paint they should look pretty decent.



What I do like is that in only 3 days I've popped out over 25 individual, unique characters that really look good on the track.





And all together they fill up a smaller spectator area very nicely!



I will try an even lower resolution on the next group. I can go as low as 0.06 layer - so I'll let you know how that goes.

[CJR]

Really cool! Keeping this in mind for my future.

[dreinecke]

Played with doing a figure at 0.06 layer height - the best the Creality Ender 3D can handle.

The figure on the left is the 0.06mm and the right is the .1mm





It looks great, but not sure it is needed for the crowded areas.

It added about 40 minutes to the print. I've just kicked off a batch of 12 people at this resolution and it says 26 hours. When this batch is done, I'll see if I decide to stick with this or the normal layers.

Stay tuned!

[btaylor]

Those are the absolute best figures I have seen! Now you got me wanting to try this 3d printing thing!
Very nice work David.

Bob

[btaylor]

David, Is there anyway you could give us a short start up list of things to buy? I am seriously going to get one of these, and would like to know what to order to begin.
I'm looking at doing driver figures, as well as spectators in 1/25 scale. Maybe even some engines for the open hood cars I build.

Thanks
Bob

[dreinecke]

[chappyman66]

Bob....
You might also want to look at the 3D forum threads. PLA is widely available. I happen to use Amazon because my wife pays for Prime.
You may want blue 3M painter tape, Aqua Net hairspray as both can help prints stick to the plate.
You may also want to consider material to build a box around the printer unless it's installed in a draft free area (yes HVAC drafts can cause problems).

[btaylor]

[32lbking]

[MrFlippant]

Great stuff. I need to print more people, but I don't really want to paint them. I've ordered the MMU2 (multi material unit) for my Prusa i3 Mk3. Once I get that dialed in, I'll probably churn out some spectators, pre-colored. :)

It looks like you're using many of the people I've also found on Thingiverse by the guy that set up a scanning studio on Coney Island. Have you found any good seated figures? He has a couple, but not nearly the variety he has of standing ones.

[-Nimrod-]

Hi All,

Bob, IMHO I strongly suggest you look at a resin printer before taking the plunge.
From what I've seen of the work you produce, I don't think you will be satisfied with the results even at 0.05mm compared to 0.025mm with the resin.
For most of us looking at prints from a distance the Ender 3 is fine, excellent even, but for your high standards go the resin printer.
Ebay has them for AUD550.00 + shipping.
Please see a couple of reviews, you won't be sorry.






I'm planning on getting one for drivers and interiors myself.

Cheers
NimROD

[dreinecke]

Nimrod - that is a great printer, but not for me - double the price of the Ender3, but the biggest problem for me personally is the resin due to allergies.

A buddy has one of these and it is awesome. Prints very well, but I cannot be near it when running. Caused me an athesma attack immediately.

There are a bunch of ways to skin this cat. If you look at my original comment, these items don’t get handled or viewed under a microscope, so for my needs the PLA is very good.

Either way you go, this tech has come a very long way very quickly.

[btaylor]

David, like you, I find my figures don't look as good when painted as I wanted them to. Seems like they look ok to me, then I post a picture of them, and they look pretty bad. Im guessing a driver figure in an old jalopy does not need to be 100% perfect.
This guy, believe it or not, looks pretty good at track level, or even fairly close. But take a picture, and it looks like a kid did it. Im thinking the acrylic paint has something to do with the surface looking like that? either way, for the cost, I think a 3D PLA figure would work fine.

And I too, would like to get away from the mess of resin. the fumes in the house, etc.