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3D Printing Basics
3D Printing Basics
3D printing is quickly becoming a game-changer for getting sturdy, high-quality props and accessories. The success of these pieces does rely heavily on the quality of the base product and the effort put into the finished product. A print is rarely ever "camera ready" right off the printer so preparing the steps for cleanup from the beginning can improve the final product.
What Kind of Print Do I Want?
What Kind of Print Do I Want?
There are 2 primary types of 3D printing available to most consumers: Resin Printing and Fused Deposition Material Printing (FDM).
FDM printing is what most people think of when they think about 3D printers. It is thin layers of molten plastic built on top of each other.
Pros:
Pros:
Large scale possibilities
Sturdy
depending on materials and settings used.
Light weight for sizes
depending on materials and settings used.
Easy to use materials.
Ability to customize fit and size of prints to need.
Relatively Inexpensive per piece (after initial investment)
Large library of files online.
Cons:
Cons:
Expensive initial investment
Technical and potentially challenging upkeep and maintenance
Takes technical know-how to achieve ideal results
Materials require specialized storage or maintenance to protect against humidity-based errors.
Potentially large amounts of waste plastic while learning / tuning in settings.
Requires a lot of finishing to remove the layer lines.
Moderate detail resolution.
Can't make fine details below a certain threshold.
Ideal for:
Ideal for:
Props
Some files even support mobile or semi-functional props
Armor
Fursuit Face Bases, Wing / Tail Frames
Medium to Large Accessories
Base forms for Mold Creation
Photo Credit 405th Infantry Division
Resin printing uses a UV light to cure micro-thin layers of resin to create very fine details. The most common printing type used to make display models and table-top character model "minis".
Pros:
Pros:
Very fine detail
Capable of intricate shapes
Sturdy for small pieces
Ability to customize fit and size of prints to need.
Very little post-processing necessary after base needs and before finishing touches
Relatively Inexpensive per piece (after initial investment)
Large library of files online
Cons:
Cons:
Expensive initial investment, requires multiple specialized machines for final product.
Messy (liquid resin)
Skin-irritant, wear gloves while handling..
Toxic fumes
use with PPE or in well ventilated space.
Multi-step process to finish base piece.
Risk of chemical failure after post-processing.
Brittle and heavy in larger scale
Necessitates small parts.
Ideal for:
Ideal for:
Jewelry or Gems
Clear resins can achieve gemstone / glass-like appearance easily
Small Accessories
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