To 3D Print or Not to Print? That is the question 🤔

[Disciple of Nagash]

3D printing is a relatively mainstream activity now for many collectors, compared to 5-8 years ago when it was less so. Prices of machines have come down, the quality can be excellent and theoretically you can print miniatures for fraction of the cost.

I say theoretically as there is actually a lot to consider. You need to print a decent amount to recoup the cost of the machine. Depending on the type, filament or resin isn't free. Being real critical, neither quite matches the quality GW puts out, although resin comes close. Then there's the time, curing, failures etc, all of which can be tiring if you don't enjoy printing itself as a hobby.

Finally there is the morale issue - is it ok to used printed models. Many purists - and of course GW stores - will insist it's not. Companies do put a lot of time and effort in paying for designs even before they start printing models, so is it reasonable?

From my perspective - and yes I have 3D printers - I view it like this:

• Is the model currently being sold? If not, I feel it's fair game to print. The company is no longer making money from it, they're not experiencing a loss. For many it's the only way not to pay the frankly ridiculous prices on Ebay for some of the older models
• If it is being sold, is it an exact replica or a completely custom sculpt. If it's a custom sculpt, then again I think it's completely fair, it's no different than buying models from Kings of War etc, it's just a different manufacturer
• Is it reasonably price for the quality. This is probably a more contentious one, but for me this relates to Forgeworld. The price they charge is frankly ridiculous, but more annoyingly the quality of the resin is simply crap. It's normally warped and poor quality. So I personally wouldn't judge someone who printed a Tau Manta for example

Outside of this, if it's a current model range, especially something recent, I would encourage people to purchase - e.g. I will be purchasing Prince Vhordrai (or my wife will for me for Christmas!). There are a few things, like printing an extra body to use up the remaining bits in the box (Tyranid Warrior bodies, or extra Tau weapons come to mind) that I think is ok as well.

What's everyone elses view?

 

[Unas the slayer]

i resort to 3D print if there's no available alternative.
I'm doing a Tallarn guard army? there are no bullgrin models with desert clothes, turban and scimitar. So 3D print it is.

 

[Sception]

i have no qualms about 3d prints in terms of 'supporting the game' or whatever. I have no loyalty to gw's shareholders. I have no problem giving gw money, but all else being equal i'd rather buy print files direct from an indie sculptor.

However, I do have loyalty to the proprietors of any gaming venues I happen to make use of, which I express by:

1) respecting their rules. This includes not bringing non-gw models, 3d printed or otherwise, to gw stores. Since i do sometimes play at a warhammer store, this does mean I try to have at least one full gw product army for each gw game I play.

2) spending 5 to 10 bucks each time i use their game space. Usually this means picking up some paints or supplies, or a white dwarf or something. Or averaging out larger purchases over multiple visits so that it comes out about that. one of the stores i frequent makes this easy by charging $10 to use the game room, but giving $10 in store credit each time you do so.

.....

Otherwise, my only concerns around 3d printing are practical.

Resin especially involves pretty toxic substances. It's not to be messed with unless you can give it dedicated space, fully removed from living areas, with heavy ventilation.

This applies to the post printing hobby work as well, not just the printing itself. resin dust from filing & sanding is also toxic and should be done only while wearing a facemask & probably also eye protection in a well ventilated area, NOT in an enclosed public gaming space. Do not be the guy exposing other players to a resin cloud at the local game store.

FDM is way, way less problematic. It still has air quality risks during the printing process requiring ventilation and air filtering, but you could reasonably do it in an apartment unit, and I do. just crack a window, run a good hepa filter next yo it, and don't be in the same room while it's printing.

Unfortunately, while it's come a long long way in print quality and ease of use, it's still more difficult to get quality prints than resin, especially for thin stuff like skeletons.

Personally i mostly use FDM printing for support-free terrain, bases, unit trays, & the like. I have no problem with full miniature printing, but I've had little success with it.

There are people getting decent full mini results from fdm, though, & that's great to see. If my pile of shame weren't so mountainous already, I'd be looking harder into what they're doing myself.

 

[Sception]

speaking of 3d pr8nting, not sure where else to post this, but a pretty cool kickstarter going for 3d print files for a bundle if undead minis plus some graveyard terrain plus (the big draw imo) a spooky gothic cathedral type building:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fiercefemalesfactory/fantasy-graveyard-and-undead-army-gothic-3d-printing-terrain

 

[kondor44]

Well, I use my FDM printer for things like movement trays and bases, I see no point spending ridiculous amount of money on that kind of accessories. Also, I printed out almost full Mordheim table for cheap, paying only for the filament and 3d projects to respective creators.
I'm currently in process of painting batch of 30 3d printed skellies for my VC army, since GW doesn't sell the 7th ed skeleton warriors anymore and I don't like the recently rereleased TK ones. Since I don't own a resin 3d printer I bought them ready for priming and painting and said unit's worth was in the range of GW's box of 10 minis.
Let's face it, 3d printed minis will not be able to match the modern GW's sculpts in quality, sharpness of detail etc. for quite some time yet, however they seem to be the only optin in many cases. Don't get me wrong, I love GW models, but if I had a vision of making a Brettonia themed undead army, I would not hesitate to 3d print undead horsemen from, say, Highland Minis to act as my Black Knights only because the sculpt match the medieval flavor I would be after, and despite the fact BK are readily available from GW store.

Kind of 'MyHammer'.

 

[Disciple of Nagash]

Interesting responses, and it seems we're broadly of the same mindset then! Years ago when it first come up there seemed to be more contentious views but I wonder if times have changed now, be curious if anyone is lurking who has differing views?

Resin is a bugger to work with. It's what I have and yes the results are superb but it is very annoying to manage. Printers in a safe space, air purifier, heavy duty mask and gloves, then curing. Having to save and then filter the water used to clean them with so it's safe for disposal etc. I did get into a bit of a flow before and it didn't feel too bad....but thinking of it now it's a lot of effort, you need to be printing a lot for it to make sense.

speaking of 3d pr8nting, not sure where else to post this, but a pretty cool kickstarter going for 3d print files for a bundle if undead minis plus some graveyard terrain plus (the big draw imo) a spooky gothic cathedral type building:

https://www.kickstarter.com/project...rd-and-undead-army-gothic-3d-printing-terrain

This is cool and a great price for you get. Some of the skellies look pretty decent actually but the terrain looks ace! Not bad for 49 euro.