Running some further experiments with 3d printed Miniatures for gaming. There are a number of online sites (most notable HeroForge), where custom minis can be designed thru a website. At the end, you can choose to have the figure professionally printed, or you can download the STL file for self-printing. However, since a home printer is likely not at the level of a production level printer, the quality varies. Is it possible to tune the prints enough to be acceptable?
In the pictures, you can see two such attempts, using the default “Explorer Demo” model from HeroForge. On the left, the model was sliced thru Simplify3d, on the right, I used Cura. In both cases, I spent approximately the same amount of time cleaning up supports – which obviously is not enough for the Cura model. Printer settings were consistent with both – PLA printed at 200 deg C on a heated bed at 70 deg C, with a 0.4mm nozzle and a 0.1 mm layer height.
Overall, both models are pretty decent – underneath the support, the detail is present and detailed. However the obvious difference is the support material – on Cura, it is abundant, thick, and difficult to remove. Where is does tear off, it tends to leave rough surfaces that need to be sanded or further cleaned. In Simplify3d, the supports remove (relatively) easily, and leave the surface mostly smooth.
Looking at the detail though, there are flaws in the model. Top down, it looks pretty nice – smooth and detailed surfaced. However from lower angles, the underhangs are rough, and in some case indistinct. Some of this could be resolved with sanding and cleanup, but the idea here is quick and easy – cleanup should be minimal.
After I wrote that piece, I added the pictures – and realized I was overly generous. At a macro level (likely good enough for general use), the figure looks decent – but when you look at the detail (with a camera zoom), it is not nearly as clean as would be expected. My guess is over-extrusion, likely due to improper calibration on my part, but I am open for any suggestions.
Overall, I consider this a success, though not necessarily practical for large scale production. If I want a custom figure, the cost of creating the STL (at least on HeroForge) costs more than a basic manufactured figure – but with minimal effort you have a truly accurate mini. If I however need a squad of many creatures or figures, or need to outfit a large set, it is much more effective to use generic store-bought.
In the future, I expect this to shift even further in the direction of the home hobbyist, as more detail and different materials become more practical. In truth, my printer is a fairly basic, low end model (Maker Select Plus) compared to options available today – with a higher end model this comparison could be significantly different.
- Monoprice Maker Select Plus – https://amzn.to/2HJMzCN
- Hatchbox Grey PLA Filament – https://amzn.to/2HIeyCF
