star-art
Sr Member
I've noticed many people seem to think a 3D printer this neat new technology they can use to "spit out" a whole model in one piece. While it's certainly possible to print an entire spaceship, that's not often a very effective way to produce a nice model of it.
It might be better to think in terms of using a 3D printer as a tool to help you create your own model "kit." First, you'll need some accurate and well-engineered 3D patterns. That means learning how to study a subject and then use a 3D modeling program to recreate it. Your subject needs to be laid out and then broken down into parts and components. Each piece can then be printed/produced in the most appropriate manner. If a part is to be printed, this involves choosing the best process/material and also the correct orientation of the part in order to achieve the highest quality output.
Looking at it this way, a 3D printer really isn't that much different from a power tool such as a lathe or mill that can be used to make your own model parts from scratch. It's up to you -- the designer of your project -- to figure out how to engineer and fabricate all those parts. All this is in addition to the traditional work of assembling, detailing, lighting and painting your model.
With this approach, you can use a 3D printer to help you create some stunning models. On the other hand, if all you want to do is download stuff off the Internet and then try to print out a finished model, you may be very disappointed with the results.
It might be better to think in terms of using a 3D printer as a tool to help you create your own model "kit." First, you'll need some accurate and well-engineered 3D patterns. That means learning how to study a subject and then use a 3D modeling program to recreate it. Your subject needs to be laid out and then broken down into parts and components. Each piece can then be printed/produced in the most appropriate manner. If a part is to be printed, this involves choosing the best process/material and also the correct orientation of the part in order to achieve the highest quality output.
Looking at it this way, a 3D printer really isn't that much different from a power tool such as a lathe or mill that can be used to make your own model parts from scratch. It's up to you -- the designer of your project -- to figure out how to engineer and fabricate all those parts. All this is in addition to the traditional work of assembling, detailing, lighting and painting your model.
With this approach, you can use a 3D printer to help you create some stunning models. On the other hand, if all you want to do is download stuff off the Internet and then try to print out a finished model, you may be very disappointed with the results.