So just when I have posted a 3D printing blog waxing lyrical about wonderful new technology…
…my website has a hissy fit and sends out a post notification with the wrong picture and date on it! Maybe its just Murphy’s law in action – so if you have received a rogue email – oops – sorry! and hopefully you should receive this one with the right date and pictures on! (and if you are reading this straight off the website page – subscribe to the newsletter – you’ll never know what you might get and when LOL!)
Take a look on the 3D printing blog to see the above gallery with descriptions of all the pieces shown…
But back to the real world – My post on the 3D printing blog was showcasing some of the new things I’ve been making with my printers (I have 3 now) and I wanted to follow up on this blog with what it actually means for me as a miniaturist, and how rapidly the miniatures world is changing.
One of the recurring things that people say at shows is that they can’t find what they need anymore – so many suppliers have stopped trading and those that are left don’t have the choice they once did. This is doubly so for businesses sourcing stock – it is a nightmare trying to find quality affordable furniture and accessories – which is what pushed me into 3D printing in the first place. I was unable to source the things I needed – either at all – or at realistic price.
And this is where the 3D printing revolution has come into its own. You can now design and make your own pieces at home – as and when you need them, and, in in a couple more clicks, whatever scale you need too! and not only does it mean you can produce bulk, you can cost effectively produce one off pieces in a never before seen blend of quality and affordability.
This new production by the masses for the masses was very evident at the recent Miniatura show, with many new companies popping up producing 3D printed goods. And not only that – there was even a company at the show which could scan a whole person and provide either a file you could print at home, or a 3D printed miniature figure of yourself!
So while it is now a simple enough task to produce 3D printed items – the skill still remains in creating the original design to print, and the finishing and decorating of the pieces – time still has to be spent applying decoration and hand painting.
An early print of the Cherub Candelabra shows what it looks like as a raw print – it is the detailing added afterwards that really brings the pieces to life.
And while the new crystal 3D prints pictured below, don’t require painting – the actual production process and crystal finishing is more complicated! (I plan to explore this topic more in a future 3d printing blog).
So while you may still find it difficult to get traditionally mass produced furniture or quality accessories, I think we are in a very exciting transition period where thanks to 3D printing, affordable, amazingly detailed, quality miniatures will soon be the norm!