Has anyone here attempted doing a 3-d print for a new model? Shapeways has quite an N scale following. I wonder how many Z scalers have tried it, and how it came out?
Hemi, they are 3d printed. Theres allways a give and take on the design of 3d printing. Do you want it to look realistic, or do you want it strong enough to be handle by kids.
I've bought a hopper, a few accessories and a roadscraper which all have turned out nicely. I only have one small objection and that is regarding the material's flexibility. I had a 69' gondola car printed in FUD and it's slightly deformed on the long sides. It might look good when it's heavily weathered like a MoW car but now I am a bit disappointed with it. Petter
I think this is a good thread to show last project. It started with 3D Shapeways design: http://www.shapeways.com/product/KG...3-1-220?li=search-results-1&optionId=57446756 This type (or very similar) of gondolas were used by many European railway companies. I decided to have some of them lettered for PKP (Polish State Railways). Al started with cleaning and painting (primer and final paint): I noticed that the handrails are very fragile but they are definitely overscaled so finally I will remove all of them and they will be replaced by thin wire handrails. Small details are painted in proper colour as well. Wire handrails are much better in my opinion.
Yes, I have to agree, the surface quality of Shapeways leaves an awful lot to be desired. With that said though, if you are willing to pay pretty steep prices for some items, depending upon size and complexity, you can get just about anything you can think up. I've been having some local business structures made by Walt Smith from Southern N Scale and he does great work. I will eventually showcase the finished products once they are painted and installed into my latest modules.
Unfortunately that is true with the flat surface printing quality It is also true that the size of the photo has something to do. Using my own eyes I can not see so many details ! When you observe the train on the layout it is even better. I like Walt Smith's designes and already have something and still waiting for delivery from Shapeways to have even more including "Transatlantic 3D design project" we were engaged together with Walt. Coming back to my gondolas... I added bumps on next gondolas using CA gel glue: Decals were applied and some weathering done. I also added coal loads (real crushed coal). They have also another function. Shapeways gondolas are very light. The loads are based on small metal nuts to add weight and to improve the performance on rails. I thionk those photos illustrates "the quality of 3D printing" problem better. From this perspective it is less obvious in my opinion.
I have a bunch of models for sale on Shapeways for Z scale. https://www.shapeways.com/shops/micro american rail prototypes The thing you have to remember is you cant dictate printing orientation. So 9 times out of 10 you get support material all over the model where you dont want it or step over marks where you dont want them.... It is very possible to get excellent quality prints with FUD process. But not from Shapeways.... So if you buy anything from Shapeways, you have a lot of scraping and sanding and finishing work to do... That will change in the future as they are trying to allow for part orientation dictated by the customer. But from what I understand, there are some big hurtles that must be overcome first... By the way, how the heck to you make pics show up on a post instead of just an attachment?... I tried but this new interface makes no sense...
Your Caterpillar machines are very nice. In case I will need one for a future scene I will remember your shop. To add pictures use "Upload a file" on the bottom right of the page.
Ah ha! Thank you! I was pressing the "Camera button" and the "pic button" on top... And I even somehow managed to get the pics to show up in your quote, oops... Thank you for your kind words about my CAT's. Thanks, -Jon
Newer machines and materials can produce a much better surface. I recently attended a "fair" at which one displayer had such equipment. I was quite happy to see that improvement in quality. Perhaps Shapeways is at a point in time where such an upgrade should be forthcoming.
Tom, In 1/87th scale I could do a much more detailed engine and body, track frames and undercarriage. I could also add to scale hand rails and other fine details. Just scaling the model up would not yield the best model. Plus I would have to hollow some parts out to reduce material. The problem is trying to find the time. Work has sucked up my life for the last year or so. But someday I'd like to do some stuff in N and HO along with a lot more Z scale. Thanks, Jon