We're looking to start 3D printing figures for use in games on battle mats, and was looking for advice since we have never 3D printed before. Our thoughts were to go for a subscription with Hero Forge and then slowly build up our collection with their free credits each month.
What stats should we look for as a minimum with a 3D printer? We saw a stall doing 3D printing on demand down the market, but the layers were quite visible, which we were concerned would impact the appearance of the figures. How can we ensure that this doesn't happen with ours?
Beyond that, what other advice would you have for us? Either on what printer to buy, on the process, where to get STL files from or anything really.
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Want to play D&D? Try the following resources first (each section withing vertical bars is a clickable link to find the resource).
for miniatures its much better to go for a resin printer rather than an FDM printer. You can of course still print miniatures with a FDM, but it's very dependent on models regards to lines and how well it will become. :) However resin printers have from what I understand a pretty steep learning curve, however both fdm and resin printers have alot of online resourcers.
For files, check out https://www.myminifactory.com/, alot are to be found there and you can find people who do patreons with miniatures etc.
Do you have a recommendation for a model or the stats? I've seen the ELEGOO Mars 2 Pro 3D Printer on amazon for £260 (~$200), is that one that would work? Also, do you have to get extra things? I understand that with resin you have to wash and cure the models, but this one says that it photo cures...is that the same thing? Or would I have to get a cure bath as well?
Thanks for the link to miniature factory.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Want to play D&D? Try the following resources first (each section withing vertical bars is a clickable link to find the resource).
You may want to check out these entries from Steve Jackson's blogs (Steve Jackson owns one of the oldest brands in TTRPG and tabletop gaming, started producing back in the earliest days of TTRPG ... he's got decades of experience in the hobby especially on the production side of things and is really big on quality ... so you might find his experiences as someone with big industry experience getting into 3d printing for his own personal army making interesting:
The existence of plant based resins has me mulling over 3-D printing, but hasn't completely sold me and I don't know if I could justify the energy cost, also having safe ventilated space is apparently a factor and I don't know if I want to dedicate space to that as opposed to some sort of other media and less materials intensive media production space.
The resin is an acrylate monomer with photoinitiator. How it prints is a build plate moves up and down into a vat of resin sitting on an LCD screen, the LCD emits UV light curing a layer at a time and building up the model. After the print process you do need to wash, depending on what resin you use will determine what to wash it with (some are water washable, some can be done with mean green, others alcohol). An ultrasonic bath can be used for easy cleaning but you should be very careful if using alcohol as the baths with heaters are a fire hazard in the presence of alcohol vapor.
Then you need to put the model in either the sun or a UV cure chamber to finalize the cure on the surface of the model.
Note that the resin is toxic and can cause respitory irritation along with lesions if exposed to the skin. You will need a respirator and gloves at a minimum to handle. Also you should only print in a well ventilated area away from living spaces.
You mentioned alcohol, water and green when talking about washing resin. I've heard of alcohol and water works for water washable resins...but I've never heard of "green", what is it?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Want to play D&D? Try the following resources first (each section withing vertical bars is a clickable link to find the resource).
Mean Green, is a brand name for a biodegradable all purpose cleaning product. There is also Simple Green. Depending on where your at they may not supply them. The take away is you can use other products besides alcohol and water, just do a side by side test on samples from prints first.
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I'm hoping this is the right area to post this.
We're looking to start 3D printing figures for use in games on battle mats, and was looking for advice since we have never 3D printed before. Our thoughts were to go for a subscription with Hero Forge and then slowly build up our collection with their free credits each month.
What stats should we look for as a minimum with a 3D printer? We saw a stall doing 3D printing on demand down the market, but the layers were quite visible, which we were concerned would impact the appearance of the figures. How can we ensure that this doesn't happen with ours?
Beyond that, what other advice would you have for us? Either on what printer to buy, on the process, where to get STL files from or anything really.
Want to play D&D? Try the following resources first (each section withing vertical bars is a clickable link to find the resource).
|The free Basic Rules.|
|Some free short adventures| and |some more here too.| |Here is a series of encounters, some of which link together form a mini-adventure|.
You've played a few games and now want to buy materials? |Here's my guide on what to buy next|.
for miniatures its much better to go for a resin printer rather than an FDM printer. You can of course still print miniatures with a FDM, but it's very dependent on models regards to lines and how well it will become. :) However resin printers have from what I understand a pretty steep learning curve, however both fdm and resin printers have alot of online resourcers.
For files, check out https://www.myminifactory.com/, alot are to be found there and you can find people who do patreons with miniatures etc.
Do you have a recommendation for a model or the stats? I've seen the ELEGOO Mars 2 Pro 3D Printer on amazon for £260 (~$200), is that one that would work? Also, do you have to get extra things? I understand that with resin you have to wash and cure the models, but this one says that it photo cures...is that the same thing? Or would I have to get a cure bath as well?
Thanks for the link to miniature factory.
Want to play D&D? Try the following resources first (each section withing vertical bars is a clickable link to find the resource).
|The free Basic Rules.|
|Some free short adventures| and |some more here too.| |Here is a series of encounters, some of which link together form a mini-adventure|.
You've played a few games and now want to buy materials? |Here's my guide on what to buy next|.
You may want to check out these entries from Steve Jackson's blogs (Steve Jackson owns one of the oldest brands in TTRPG and tabletop gaming, started producing back in the earliest days of TTRPG ... he's got decades of experience in the hobby especially on the production side of things and is really big on quality ... so you might find his experiences as someone with big industry experience getting into 3d printing for his own personal army making interesting:
http://www.sjgames.com/ill/archive/January_07_2022/Now_Im_3D_Printing_Part_1
http://www.sjgames.com/ill/archive/January_09_2022/Now_Im_3D_Printing_Part_2
http://www.sjgames.com/ill/archive/January_10_2022/Now_Im_3D_Printing_Part_3
http://www.sjgames.com/ill/archive/January_19_2022/Now_Im_3D_Printing_Part_4
The existence of plant based resins has me mulling over 3-D printing, but hasn't completely sold me and I don't know if I could justify the energy cost, also having safe ventilated space is apparently a factor and I don't know if I want to dedicate space to that as opposed to some sort of other media and less materials intensive media production space.
Edited to update blog links
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
The resin is an acrylate monomer with photoinitiator. How it prints is a build plate moves up and down into a vat of resin sitting on an LCD screen, the LCD emits UV light curing a layer at a time and building up the model. After the print process you do need to wash, depending on what resin you use will determine what to wash it with (some are water washable, some can be done with mean green, others alcohol). An ultrasonic bath can be used for easy cleaning but you should be very careful if using alcohol as the baths with heaters are a fire hazard in the presence of alcohol vapor.
Then you need to put the model in either the sun or a UV cure chamber to finalize the cure on the surface of the model.
Note that the resin is toxic and can cause respitory irritation along with lesions if exposed to the skin. You will need a respirator and gloves at a minimum to handle. Also you should only print in a well ventilated area away from living spaces.
You mentioned alcohol, water and green when talking about washing resin. I've heard of alcohol and water works for water washable resins...but I've never heard of "green", what is it?
Want to play D&D? Try the following resources first (each section withing vertical bars is a clickable link to find the resource).
|The free Basic Rules.|
|Some free short adventures| and |some more here too.| |Here is a series of encounters, some of which link together form a mini-adventure|.
You've played a few games and now want to buy materials? |Here's my guide on what to buy next|.
Mean Green, is a brand name for a biodegradable all purpose cleaning product. There is also Simple Green. Depending on where your at they may not supply them. The take away is you can use other products besides alcohol and water, just do a side by side test on samples from prints first.