Intersection of Modeling and 3D Printing

My introduction to printing tanks, and then bling for tanks, was a natural progression towards further work that intersects modeling with 3D Printing.  As a youngster I assembled the standard plastic models, then as an adult I did a couple more advanced models and spent some time flying R/C aircraft.  Now, with 3D Printers in hand, I am trying my luck again!

My first challenge was to acquire and master the technology that enables the printing of tiny little things.  This meant a printer upgrade that I have discussed elsewhere on this blog.  This upgrade gives me the ability to print some really tiny little things ... obviously important when working at 1:100 scale!

I designed a pretty wide selection of "bling" for Flames of War gamers capitalizing on my printers ability to handle the size and detail.  All of what I have done are on Thingiverse in the public domain (the Creative Commons - Attribution - Non-Commercial license).
The are also available for purchase on eBay with 50% of all proceeds going to the MS Society.

My latest, and largest, design is that of a model of the famous Bailey Bridge of World War II.  I discuss it in several posts starting here.

The next challenge was to gain the skill, and patience, to paint tiny details.  I still have a ways to go given where I am versus where other folks are in this specialty!    My first couple of
attempts were truly pathetic but I did improve to the point where I am not embarrassed by my work!

All of the above now comes together in a small diorama as shown to the right.  This is a mash-up of multiple 3D prints including:

• The Bailey Bridge that I mentioned above but decorated for war!
• Terrain started as a print with a rough cutout of the landscape.  I then plastered it with Smooth Finish Wall Filler for texture.
• The tank is also a 3D Print though certainly not from one of my models. The model is from the work of M_Bergman though I did do the painting!
• The tank is also sporting some bling printed from my collection of bits and bobs.
• The retaining walls for the ramps leading onto the bridges are 3D Prints as are the telephone poles.

I am not sure how much impact 3D Printing is having on modeling as of yet.  Printers are coming down in price but they are not cheap and they can be a pain in the ass to operate.  On top of that is the level of proficiency required to create things beyond simple shapes.  I am confident that printer costs will continue to fall and that reliability and ease of use will continue to improve.  I am less confident that "easy" design tools will play a role in bringing 3D Printing to the masses.