3D model for 3D printing an action figure

[hauke]

This is an attempt to create a 3D model that can be printed with action figure like articulation. It basically works like a snap together model kit. It has about 30 points of articulation. I had to do some sandpapering in order to make everything fit together but that is something one should expect when 3D printing. The seam lines are a little bit big but I believe that has more to do with the resolution of my printer then the 3D file. The model and all the joints were created in Softimage. It was then exported as STL file via Zbrush. The final Boolean operations for the joints as well as some cleaning up of the geometry were done in Netfabb. The figure is about 7 inches tall. It has a couple of swapable hands and the weapons can be stored on the back of the figure.

[danyargici]

That's really great! Well done! Who or what did you use to print it if you don't mind my asking?

[hauke]

That's really great! Well done! Who or what did you use to print it if you don't mind my asking?

Thanks! It was printed on a Mojo from Stratsys.

[Bullit]

Yeah , this is amazing. I have to get into 3D printing.

[hauke]

Yeah , this is amazing. I have to get into 3D printing.

Thanks! 3D printing is great fun.

[ibra]

amazing work!

[hauke]

amazing work!

Thank you!

[Aumakua]

Cool work, well done

[hauke]

Cool work, well done

Thank you!

I have updated my 3D printed action figure. I thought the design of the first version was a little bit plain. Now the figure wears a more interesting armor and also has a second helmeted head. This also makes him look more futuristic then the previous version. Since the first figure was never able to hold his rifle too well I gave the new version two small guns instead. Those fit pretty well and allow a lot of poses. They also fit into the new backpack. Here is the updated construction rendering of the 3D printed action figure. It can now move the head up and down as well as to the sides. The abs can move right and left now in addition to being able to tilt to the side. The feet can also tilt to the sides now allowing for some nicer poses. The new joints bring the total points of articulation to 34. I did not do any sanding on the joints this time. Therefore this figure has much tighter joints. It can even balance on one leg.

[jamination]

I am curious, how much to print out 1 working figure.

[hauke]

I am curious, how much to print out 1 working figure.

The material cost is about $80-$100

[Madness]

This is superb!

I was wondering if you could share your workflow.
Does the Mojo printer take a particular model file?
I looked that one up, would you say it could live in an office or too noisy?

I have dabbled with the printer we have at work. Its a few years old now and is a powder based machine and requires lots of work afterwards (sealing it with high strength adhesive). We are looking into 3d printing more so this post is very interesting!
We have just started to test the machine again and we will be looking to produce a mould to make a bronze casting (we have a bronze foundry in another department!)
Perhaps I can document it!

Cheers,
J

[hauke]

This is superb!

I was wondering if you could share your workflow.
Does the Mojo printer take a particular model file?
I looked that one up, would you say it could live in an office or too noisy?

I have dabbled with the printer we have at work. Its a few years old now and is a powder based machine and requires lots of work afterwards (sealing it with high strength adhesive). We are looking into 3d printing more so this post is very interesting!
We have just started to test the machine again and we will be looking to produce a mould to make a bronze casting (we have a bronze foundry in another department!)
Perhaps I can document it!

Cheers,
J

Mojo printer uses STL files for printing. It is roughly as loud as an inkjet printer. Maintenance is very easy and also removing the support material works very well. You can just dissolve it in a cleaning station that comes with the printer. However the printed parts lack the detail for final products. But it is great for prototyping. This link has some good info about the printer: http://www.engineering.com/3DPrinting/3 ... inter.aspx
The files were exported as obj files from Softimage and then converted to STL format via Zbrush. All that was left to do was to create the holes for the joints to plug into. I did this via Netfabb. In Netfabb it is very easy to do boolean operations so all I had to do was subtract the joints* from the geometry where they would need to be plugged in and I had my fitting holes. Netfabb also allows you to optimize your models for printing. I could import the obj files directly into Netfabb but the conversion via Zbrush allows me to export the STL files at the exact size I need the final figure to be.

* I actually made the joints 0.15mm larger for the substraction to have some room to plug them into the parts.

[hauke]

Here is another concept figure. It has fever joints then the others but is actually the most fun to pose. It is the first time I used a double jointed knee. I always thought double jointed knees and elbows looked weird but it does allow for a nice range of movement. I also gave this figure a split torso so the head, shoulder and pelvis joints are actually held in place by the two torso halfes rather then just plugged into the torso. A split torso with seams was another thing I thought might not look good but the seams can be hidden quite nicely. All in all I think this figure has the best ratio of articulation and sturdiness.



Here is a painted version of the alien cyborg. I am really happy how he turned out. The roughness of the print works quite well for the worn down bionics and the alien skin. The paintjob also does not get in the way of posing him. I hope to make more figures like him in the future.

I also set up a website for my 3D printed action figures you can see here: http://www.hauke-scheer.de/

[MauricioPC]

Amazing work my friend!

I've been modeling a 'pet' for 3D printing. I've watched a tutorial on Lynda.com, on how to print on Shapeways with Maya. It gives some general ideas of the pitfalls and other things to look out.

Do you have any other resources that give a walk-through on the process or you discovered all by yourself? 3D printing is still to expensive for me to buy one, so I'll probably will use a service like Shapeways here, but I want to be the most cautious I can, because it's expensive.


Cheers and great work.

[hauke]

Amazing work my friend!

I've been modeling a 'pet' for 3D printing. I've watched a tutorial on Lynda.com, on how to print on Shapeways with Maya. It gives some general ideas of the pitfalls and other things to look out.

Do you have any other resources that give a walk-through on the process or you discovered all by yourself? 3D printing is still to expensive for me to buy one, so I'll probably will use a service like Shapeways here, but I want to be the most cautious I can, because it's expensive.


Cheers and great work.

I pretty much taught myself everything via learning by doing. It helps just looking at other mass market figures and see how they are constructed. I am experimenting with Shapeways myself at the moment. On thing you should keep in mind is that their different materials use different printers with different requirements. So it helps to decide beforhand which material you want your figure to be printed on.