Custom One-Off Miniatures

[HatWearingFool]

I remember the idea of being able to order a custom miniature based off of a character created with DDI's character builder was bandied about here. I also remember their being a lot of debate about the actual costs involved. Well it looks like a company has managed to knock the prices down about 50% ($5000 instead of > $10000) in a bid to bring 3D printing to the masses.

Costs of printing are supposed to be about $1 per cubic inch. At these prices it would be feasible for somebody here to set-up shop and do this ff WOTC would allow you to export your character model.

 

[HatWearingFool]

Here's a great CNN video.

In it they mention hoping to get the price to < $1000 dollars in a just a couple of years. One of the examples they cite is allowing home users to print out their avatars from online games .

When they hit sub $1000 I may just have to buy one.

 

[Droogie]

I first heard about these gizmos a year ago. Naturally, my first thought went to printing out a mini for my dual-wielding orc ranger.

 

[JVisgaitis]

Here's a great CNN video.

I've been watching this industry for about 5 years now. The fact that they think they can have one of these available for around $1,000 is the coolest thing ever. The day that happens, I'll buy one and start a print on demand miniature's company.

 

[Intrope]

Wow! that's very cool. The examples don't look very detailed, though (for gaming minatures, that is). For an early-generation product, though, it's awesome.

In the related field of CNC milling is this: (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...ame=Bench+Power+Tools&sbf=Brand&sbv=Craftsman)

Looks like it can do fairly finely detailed work, too.

 

[Varianor Abroad]

Amazingly cool. I will stick with custom paint jobs on pewter though until the price drops below $250.

 

[JVisgaitis]

Wow! that's very cool. The examples don't look very detailed, though (for gaming minatures, that is). For an early-generation product, though, it's awesome.

Yeah, that does seem to be an issue. I'd like to see what one of them can do with all of the fine detail on a miniature. I know Games Workshop has started using computers to "sculpt" some of their miniatures. I'd imagine that is done with CNC machines.

 

[Intrope]

Yeah, that does seem to be an issue. I'd like to see what one of them can do with all of the fine detail on a miniature. I know Games Workshop has started using computers to "sculpt" some of their miniatures. I'd imagine that is done with CNC machines.

A very good CNC mill ought to have the accuracy needed to do fine carving, so I could definitely believe this; I wouldn't be surprised if they're renting time on a high-end mill rather than buying their own.

And it occurred to me later that this 3D printer would be just right to pump out 5x5 custom terrain tiles--the accuracy looks plenty high enough to mold good-looking, multi-height terrain! (and for those of us that use hexes, 5 across big hexes)