Printing or casting figures

[Cato]

Would like to learn if accurate figures can be 3-D printed or resin cast. I'm talking a 1/8 scale figure, 8 3/8" high in scale. I only have a few images of what I want, not scaled drawings.

May use one on my current project and would like to explore feasibility. Since I've almost killed my 401K on this project, cost will be a factor.

Hope those familiar with these techniques will PM me to discuss and educate me.

Thanks.

[sjordan2]

Maybe you could adapt some posable action figures?

http://www.mwctoys.com/REVIEW_031212a.htm

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/9-inch-action-figures

Edited March 13, 2014 by sjordan2

[Cato]

Interesting but an alternative at best. I only scanned the text quickly, but I think these are 12" high-too big for my needs.

Hoping for feedback from guys that have done these.

Thanks for the tip-it's certainly an inexpensive way.

[DrGlueblob]

Check out books by Katherine Dewey. She makes great figures out of Sculpey/Fimo. Might be easier on the wallet than CAD/Casting.

[sjordan2]

Interesting but an alternative at best. I only scanned the text quickly, but I think these are 12" high-too big for my needs.

Hoping for feedback from guys that have done these.

Thanks for the tip-it's certainly an inexpensive way.

The eBay link is for 9-inch figures.

Here's a broader selection, includes Star Trek characters in their simple costumes, plus Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca with a fedora and trenchcoat.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=1%2F8+figures&_sop=10&_osacat=2580&_from=R10&_armrs=1&_pcats=1188%2C220&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.X9+inch+figures&_nkw=9+inch+figures&_sacat=220

Edited March 13, 2014 by sjordan2

[Cato]

Thanks I will read more carefully.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Moebius has a line of characters in 1/8. Same modeling techniques we already use could modify these, perhaps, into what you need.

Not all sites show the full line, but there are poses and figures from many genres, and multiple poses available of the same character in some cases.

Edited March 13, 2014 by Ace-Garageguy

[Cato]

Thanks Bill, didn't know that-will check.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Some of the Moebius figures appear to be repops of old Aurora kits, while some are more current, like the Ironman movie characters.

There's also a lot of anime available in about 1/7 (odd) but there are some 1/8 pieces too.

Edited March 13, 2014 by Ace-Garageguy

[Cato]

Some of the Moebius figures appear to be repops of old Aurora kits, while some are more current, like the Ironman movie characters.

Their site only shows monsters and such; can you show me a link?

[sjordan2]

You might want to contact Shapeways. They have a number of contacts and partners that may possibly assist you. Go to the bottom of this page for contact info.

https://www.shapeways.com/creator/2dto3d/?li=nav

[Ace-Garageguy]

Their site only shows monsters and such; can you show me a link?

Yes, they're mostly monsters.

But the figures like Spiderman and Black Widow, for instance could be used as starting points to get the proportions and musculature correct. Without a good representation of these two critical elements, any sculptural rendition of a human, in any scale, suffers.

It's considerably easier to change details like clothing and specific faces than it is to scratch-build believable looking people, so using an existing model as a jumping-off point makes sense.

[Cato]

Skip-have contacted Shapeways in past on a different subject and found out that their cost structure is beyond my reach.

OK Bill-understood.

[shucky]

Cato, whether you 3d print or resin cast one the cost will be fairly expensive. A figure that big would require a rather large mold and a fairly large amount of rubber. Its difficult to really say with the limited amount of info you provided. You could probably calculate the amount of rubber and resin required if you had specifics for the size / shape of the actual figure. Just giving the height is not enough to give an accurate estimate. Compare the costs with that of 3d printing it and roll with whichever is cheaper.

[Cato]

Thanks Mike for the detailed look.

I was thinking an 8"+ tall figure might be done in sections like torso, legs for example. But you point out that it would require much rubber and resin anyway-I never realized that.

I just have zero experience in either 3-D or casting.

[Chief Joseph]

I know folks who do this kind of work. Getting someone to sculpt a figure for you by hand will cost a fortune. Getting someone to do a digital sculpt for you and then 3D-printing the figure will cost a large fortune. You're talking about resin casting as if it will somehow magically produce your figure-- but you need something to mold before you can cast a copy of it. Your only real alternative is to find an existing figure that is close to what you want and modify it. You could combine parts from several figures if it helps to achieve your goal. 1/8 scale is tough because there aren't many cheap figures to cannibalize. If you were needing 1/12 scale, you'd have all those cool McFarlane figures to work with.

[Cato]

Thanks for the direct advice Joe.

[Chief Joseph]

Cato, as 3D scanning moves closer to consumer-level acceptance, we'll be able to get good-quality custom figures at a decent price . Have a look here: http://shapify.me/info/home This is a neat idea except the figurine is apparently locked to only 1/20 scale. If they had just chosen 1/18 or 1/24 instead, they would have car modelers or diecast collectors throwing their money at them!

[Jantrix]

I have seen action figures through out the years (most recently a set of GI Joe: Sigma Six) that were 8 inches tall.

[Cato]

Thanks Rob but those are a little too 'butch' for what I seek.

Joseph's figures are much more accurate and 'normal' in body but the scale is wrong (for me). I assume that at 1/8 scale, those figures would be over twice as expensive.