Elite / Frontier Game models made real

GLJones

GLJones
Cheers mate! The kindness of strangers indeed...

4cm was exactly what I was after, and the 'outie' engines look a bit better anyways. Full colour printinting would be good, but for now I think some metallic dry brushing will do the trick!

Thanks again man, much appreciated. I'll keep an eye out for it on shapeways and get a couple bought.

G
 

Kenny 10 Bellys

K
I'll try not to spend the 12 cents all in one place. I've got to go out today so I'll do it tonight when I get back.

----------OOPS-----------

No I wont, it'll be monday because I've left the model files at work. Damn!
 
Last edited:

Kenny 10 Bellys

K
That's it updated, just over 3.5cm across. I cant guarantee how it will turn out, I've not test printed it myself (obviously). I will be ordering a couple of things in a week or two, but you'll probably get yours before I do.
 

GLJones

GLJones
Nice one, I'll let you know how they turn out when I get 'em- maybe post a couple of pictures up on here-

Cheers!

G
 

Kenny 10 Bellys

K
I'm going to try an experiment in printing a model with moveable parts as well. I've built a copy of the flying saucer from the movie 'Earth v's the Flying Saucer', a real classic. I've built it with the two spinning upper and lower sections, as well as the landing column with the door that comes out underneath. I've almost finished it, but it may take a bit of tweaking to get the tolerances acceptable. If it goes through OK I'm goin to order it and see how it works.
 

GLJones

GLJones
That sounds interesting- I guess an issue might be with the material you get it printed in- the 'white strong+flexible stuff' is good but quite porous/rough, so movement might 'grind' a bit if you know what I mean.

Still, great idea though
 

Kenny 10 Bellys

K
It's not just that, it's all printed in one go so you have to leave enough of a gap that the machine does not weld it all together. That varies with material as well, so a bit of research needed there. I plan to order it fairly large, maybe 20cm across, which should help with the roughness and welding issue. If it works, I'll be giggling like a schoolgirl for days.
 

Kenny 10 Bellys

K
Arrrgh, me plans have been scuppered.

Turns out that to make a large, complex model is prohibitively expensive. Even keeping the walls of the saucer to the printing limit of around 1mm thick, it turns out at about $150 to print out at 20cm wide. I dumped all my ambitious plans and made it basically a hollow, thin walled display model and it came down to $125. Way too much for fun. It would make sense if I was going to use it to make and sell resin models, it's not much to pay for a highly detailed master, but way too much for an experimental ornament.
 

Kenny 10 Bellys

K
Arrrrgh, scuppered again! GL Jones, I just got a mail from Shapeways saying that someone ordered my small Cobra and it couldn't be printed because the walls were too thin. Their software usually catches that when you upload it, but for some reason it didn't this time. Assuming it was you that ordered it, I've been in and uploaded a new version with thicker walls which meet their minimum requirements. You should be ok to get it now.
 

steve tyler

S
Kenny 10 Bellys said:
Arrrgh, me plans have been scuppered.

Turns out that to make a large, complex model is prohibitively expensive. Even keeping the walls of the saucer to the printing limit of around 1mm thick, it turns out at about $150 to print out at 20cm wide. I dumped all my ambitious plans and made it basically a hollow, thin walled display model and it came down to $125. Way too much for fun. It would make sense if I was going to use it to make and sell resin models, it's not much to pay for a highly detailed master, but way too much for an experimental ornament.
Click to expand...

I was going to tell you, but thought you'd probably just try it anyway...;) the problem is the volume, which is the determining factor in their quote software, take a solid 1 cm cube, now double the size so any edge is now 2cm. You'll find that you can now fit 8, 1cm cubes inside.. and it'll take 8 times as long to print and use 8 times as much material. so as a rule of thumb if you double the size you increase the cost by 8 times.
 

GLJones

GLJones
No problem mate- I got an email from shapeways which outlined it all, I'm just waiting for a coupon thingy from them before I re-order the new small cobras.
Cheers again for going to the trouble! Shame about the flying saucer,$100 + is a bit much maybe! Also:

" as a rule of thumb if you double the size you increase the cost by 8 times."


Dude.
 

Kenny 10 Bellys

K
I am aware of the maths, but it's still hellish to see it in practice. I remain tempted to do it though, when I have a bit of spare cash. I have a huge telescope I'm going to sell a bit nearer the astronomy season, and when I do I'll maybe use some of the money from that to print something big.

Working on that Earth v Flying Saucers ship for ages made me really want that thing, it's just so cool in a 50's way. I did a little animation of it taking off which just made me want it more. I also found a clip of Harryhausen being interviewed by Joe Dante about the movie, and he actually shows off a saucer model used in the movie. It doesn't even look 20cm across, it's way smaller than I thought it would be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fZnorS_DBs
 

GLJones

GLJones
Dag -nammit!

Just got another mesage from shapeways saying that the wee cobras were still too small- I would guess that they're too small to produce, but I've had other stuff from shapeways that's teeeny (one model was about 3cm across).

Apologies if this is causing you hassle Kenny!

G
 

Kenny 10 Bellys

K
I just got the mail too. Bummer!

Ok, this time it was the stand base itself was 0.2mm smaller than regulation. I've corrected that and made the interior walls slightly thicker again. If it doesn't work this time, I'm going to have to make the damn thing solid to get past their printer. Sorry for the hassle, but it only takes a second or two to tweak the model and the replace it on Shapeways.
 

GLJones

GLJones
Well if you keep uploading 'em, I'll keep trying to buy 'em! We'll see how this one goes, just as soon as they send me a refund coupon thingie so I can re-order.

3rd time's the charm...
 

Kenny 10 Bellys

K
I ****** well hope so. I've rebuilt my Earth v Flying Saucer ship for the third time after watching the movie a couple of times. I redesigned how the top and bottom spinning areas fit, and I've made the landing foot/tube thing moveabe as well. Or at least I hope so, finding definite distances for keeping bits separate is difficult. I'll spend 40 quid getting it printed, then get either the rejection email like you've been getting, or I'll get one solid lump where nothing moves. That wont be so bad really, it'll look ok, but I would love for the bits to move.
 

GLJones

GLJones
£40 isn't too bad- even if it's without the moving parts, it would be a pretty sweet model. Definitely put up some pics if it gets printed ok.

This whole '3d printing' malarky really opens up the possibility for rare/niche miniatures and models- I honestly never thought I'd be able to get custom made Elite ships!
 

Kenny 10 Bellys

K
If you were in the mood for starting a small business it would be worthwhile, you simply create the master in a 3D print. Then it wouldn't matter that it was £150 or whatever, because you'd use that to make dozens of cheaper resin copies. I'll probably order it tomorrow and we'll see what it comes out like.
 

GLJones

GLJones
They arrived! Woop!

They are exactly the size I was after- and the fact that they are a little thin gives them a similar appearence to the Cobra on the front of the 'Dark Wheel' novella. The hex stands are way sturdier than the original stands, a marked improvement. Ill post some images when I get home later

Cheers

G
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom