I've started this thread to showcase some of my own sculpts and 3D prints for the new character/monster designs in DnD. As 3D printing becomes more accessible and refined I love how much more detail we can get out of it.
Sometimes it's cool to make more of a collectable item from my DnD sculpts. I love how they're starting to integrate some real world mythology into the lore. Meet Ammit, the egyptian goddess of the underworld, part Crocodile, Lion, and Hippo:
In terms of designing your own miniatures you'd want some kind of 3D modelling or Sculpting software. I use a combination of Maya and Zbrush which I also have for professional use. Maya can run you up a few thousand dollars per version and Zbrush is about $900. However both have student\LTE versions and there is also free software out there like Blender and Sculptris.
The skills you want to develop are first just in basic anatomy, making things look right and to have the right proportions. There's a reason that giraffe's have the same number of bones in their necks has humans. It's because there are some very basic rules of anatomy that run through almost all mammals, birds, and even fish that live on earth. So once you know some basic anatomy you can make anything look believable by following these rules. For miniatures though you don't need that much detail as it can't all be captured in the print at such a small scale.
After that you can focus on making more dynamic poses for characters as well as taking in to consideration the limitations of 3D printing. This is only something you can really know once you start printing but as nice and detailed as a bow or staff may be, it might be far too thin to print. Or a character may be unbalanced without a stand etc.
As far as actually printing them goes I have a Prusa i3 Mk3 printer which costs around $750 USD. I personally believe it's one of the best FDM (filament as opposed to resin) printers out there right now but obviously it comes with a price. But it's crazy how cheap printers are getting, there are some out there now which cost around $200, they may require some more hands on setup and maintenance but are a great way to try something out before investing more. My first printer was a Tevo Tarantula, a chinese clone of the Prusa printers. It was cheap and harder to assemble but I then quickly knew it was something I wanted to invest more time and money in to. Filament is really quite cheap and I'd recommend getting an FDM (filament) printer first because the filament is basically universal across all models and brands.
Beauty is in the eye of the BEHOLDER?!! Who can resist the most infamous of DnD monsters. I like to think this guy is all soft and fleshy with eel like eye stalks, each one independent to the rest. Sometimes I also like to do a quick paint over of a CG render to give it some more life and to work out the right colours.
It's also fun to do a dead version of the epic monsters to help fill out a scene after a hard fought battle:
It's always tricky to decide if you want to cut up a model to reduce supports and glue it back together, or print in one go. I think all in one go worked quite well even with all of the eye stalks.
One of the most unique character designs I've seen in DnD. The Grell the fleshier the better! I think for a print like this the tentacles will have to be a bit thicker to be strong enough to support the body...
Originally I had planned to have an entire horde of Choldrith lining the ceiling being illuminated by torchlight but I wanted to focus on just one. 3D prints coming soon!
My passive Investigation was high today...lol. I stumbled upon your thread while trying to figure out if anyone knows if there is a rental mini company...I will be checking for your updates often...my co-worker has been 3D printing scenery pieces and a few other great things but not designing his own yet. I purchased some Heroforge downloads and he is trying to figure out how to print them on his Prusa machine. It is not going well...any advice? The struggle, which seems to be universal, is printing smaller minis. I gave him quite a challenge with some custom "Kobolds" and one gnome...had I known smaller is too hard I would have not purchased them...any ideas is welcome. You are amazing by the way.
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I've started this thread to showcase some of my own sculpts and 3D prints for the new character/monster designs in DnD. As 3D printing becomes more accessible and refined I love how much more detail we can get out of it.
Sometimes it's cool to make more of a collectable item from my DnD sculpts. I love how they're starting to integrate some real world mythology into the lore. Meet Ammit, the egyptian goddess of the underworld, part Crocodile, Lion, and Hippo:
Design | Create | Assemble
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I love a nice chunky monster, it's easier to print and it's a lot of fun working on a large saggy body. The Blue Slaad!!
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Really nice work! You've got a great sense of anatomy and proportion!
That's what happens when you wear a helmet your whole life!
My house rules
What is the start up cost, and what type of skills are involved to begin making your own miniatures?
Hey,
In terms of designing your own miniatures you'd want some kind of 3D modelling or Sculpting software. I use a combination of Maya and Zbrush which I also have for professional use. Maya can run you up a few thousand dollars per version and Zbrush is about $900. However both have student\LTE versions and there is also free software out there like Blender and Sculptris.
The skills you want to develop are first just in basic anatomy, making things look right and to have the right proportions. There's a reason that giraffe's have the same number of bones in their necks has humans. It's because there are some very basic rules of anatomy that run through almost all mammals, birds, and even fish that live on earth. So once you know some basic anatomy you can make anything look believable by following these rules.
For miniatures though you don't need that much detail as it can't all be captured in the print at such a small scale.
After that you can focus on making more dynamic poses for characters as well as taking in to consideration the limitations of 3D printing. This is only something you can really know once you start printing but as nice and detailed as a bow or staff may be, it might be far too thin to print. Or a character may be unbalanced without a stand etc.
As far as actually printing them goes I have a Prusa i3 Mk3 printer which costs around $750 USD. I personally believe it's one of the best FDM (filament as opposed to resin) printers out there right now but obviously it comes with a price. But it's crazy how cheap printers are getting, there are some out there now which cost around $200, they may require some more hands on setup and maintenance but are a great way to try something out before investing more. My first printer was a Tevo Tarantula, a chinese clone of the Prusa printers. It was cheap and harder to assemble but I then quickly knew it was something I wanted to invest more time and money in to.
Filament is really quite cheap and I'd recommend getting an FDM (filament) printer first because the filament is basically universal across all models and brands.
Let me know if you have any more questions! :)
Design | Create | Assemble
Patreon!
Follow me on Instagram!
Facebook!
Thingiverse!
CG Trader!
Beauty is in the eye of the BEHOLDER?!! Who can resist the most infamous of DnD monsters. I like to think this guy is all soft and fleshy with eel like eye stalks, each one independent to the rest. Sometimes I also like to do a quick paint over of a CG render to give it some more life and to work out the right colours.
It's also fun to do a dead version of the epic monsters to help fill out a scene after a hard fought battle:
Design | Create | Assemble
Patreon!
Follow me on Instagram!
Facebook!
Thingiverse!
CG Trader!
It's always tricky to decide if you want to cut up a model to reduce supports and glue it back together, or print in one go. I think all in one go worked quite well even with all of the eye stalks.
Design | Create | Assemble
Patreon!
Follow me on Instagram!
Facebook!
Thingiverse!
CG Trader!
One of the most unique character designs I've seen in DnD. The Grell the fleshier the better!
I think for a print like this the tentacles will have to be a bit thicker to be strong enough to support the body...
Design | Create | Assemble
Patreon!
Follow me on Instagram!
Facebook!
Thingiverse!
CG Trader!
Oh gosh... The spines on the tentacles are so gross! Well done!
Your thread is so fascinating and cool! I hope you continue to share your work.
Thanks :D
I'm a big fan of realism so I hope I can bring a new take to all of the DnD monsters!
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The different coloured Sladdi are fun but they don't seem naturally camouflaged for their environment...
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Spooky scary spiders, imagine the Choldrith silently dropping from the ceiling as you look upward in horror 😱
Design | Create | Assemble
Patreon!
Follow me on Instagram!
Facebook!
Thingiverse!
CG Trader!
Originally I had planned to have an entire horde of Choldrith lining the ceiling being illuminated by torchlight but I wanted to focus on just one. 3D prints coming soon!
Design | Create | Assemble
Patreon!
Follow me on Instagram!
Facebook!
Thingiverse!
CG Trader!
I don't know what's more horrifying, seeing one of these guys in the dark or in the light of day.
Either way, those curled up spider legs trigger some primal anxieties...
Bit of a jigsaw puzzle to connect all of the legs.
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Are you able to make characters as well? And how much do you charge for them?
Hey!
I'm not currently taking custom character work but I'll let you know when I do :)
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Dramatic lighting is a lot of fun especially when SSS is involved. Last tease before the final renders!
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It's Jester!!
Lots of fun playing with different facial expressions. Behind the scenes aren't always pretty but the end result is!
Design | Create | Assemble
Patreon!
Follow me on Instagram!
Facebook!
Thingiverse!
CG Trader!
My passive Investigation was high today...lol. I stumbled upon your thread while trying to figure out if anyone knows if there is a rental mini company...I will be checking for your updates often...my co-worker has been 3D printing scenery pieces and a few other great things but not designing his own yet. I purchased some Heroforge downloads and he is trying to figure out how to print them on his Prusa machine. It is not going well...any advice? The struggle, which seems to be universal, is printing smaller minis. I gave him quite a challenge with some custom "Kobolds" and one gnome...had I known smaller is too hard I would have not purchased them...any ideas is welcome. You are amazing by the way.