Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 4:55 pm Post subject: Shapeways EU starship lot I GOT my new Shapeways ships! Better luck this time; they all printed successfully.

I ordered small: an Aurek and a Sith interceptor from KotOR in "frosted detail" and a Coralskipper in the dreaded "white, strong & flexible." I thought I'd keep up an "in-progress" thread for a short while for those of you who, like me, know next to nothing about this printed stuff - and might like some variant miniatureas that will likely never see the light of day from FFG.

They all look great, but the Sith fighter was broken. I can't be too mad; it's at a very delicate point, and the frosted detail material is a bit fragile.

http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz127/imperator58/Shapewaysfresh_zpsaafead4e.jpg

http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz127/imperator58/Shapewaysfresh2_zpscd9f32ad.jpg

The X-Wing is there for scale, and is from Fantasy Flight Games in 1/270.

The Coralskipper is HOLLOW, with very thin walls, but seems quite sturdy. It was filled with white plastic powder! I actually banged it around on the table a bit. Look at all that came out!

http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz127/imperator58/Coralskipperpowder_zpsf9df9701.jpg

I attempted to fix the Sith ship with Superglue gel. That stuff just wouldn't cure on it for some reason. Then I thought, well, it's plastic, so let's try model cement. After holding it for a while, the wing is on there but I'm thinking it isn't going to stay.

More to follow.

Sorry about the Sith Fighter. From time to time I strengthen the structure, but the thing is too weak and the FUD material is too fragile.

As you can see in Agsn webpage, the Coralskipper benefuts from White Strong and Flexible because it has a texture that resembles coral much more:

Hope you enjoy your ships and that the Sith Fighter gets glued.

Yeah that looks a bit thin it's understandable how it snapped hope you can repair it.

With the release of the raider I'm tempted to order some tie avenger.

Sorry about the Sith Fighter. From time to time I strengthen the structure, but the thing is too weak and the FUD material is too fragile.

As you can see in Agsn webpage, the Coralskipper benefuts from White Strong and Flexible because it has a texture that resembles coral much more:

Hope you enjoy your ships and that the Sith Fighter gets glued.

That was exactly my theory about the Coralskipper! That thing's really well-detailed, actually, with some of the "branches" actually separated out from the hull. Having fun with it!

Mel (is that in fact your name?), I asked you on the Shapeways Ebon Hawk thread: does it come with the cards shown, or can I otherwise obtain them? The other ships?

I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get the Hawk. I was very pleased with the three I got.

I'd get me some V-Wings, but I consider that one of the more likely near-future efforts by FFG.

I've been looking at the Aussault Transport, Stormtrooper transport and escort shuttles, but I don't know much about ABS, I know it's rough and loses detail on rounded surfaces, but can you sand it smooth?

Sorry about the Sith Fighter. From time to time I strengthen the structure, but the thing is too weak and the FUD material is too fragile.

As you can see in Agsn webpage, the Coralskipper benefuts from White Strong and Flexible because it has a texture that resembles coral much more:

Hope you enjoy your ships and that the Sith Fighter gets glued.

That was exactly my theory about the Coralskipper! That thing's really well-detailed, actually, with some of the "branches" actually separated out from the hull. Having fun with it!

Mel (is that in fact your name?), I asked you on the Shapeways Ebon Hawk thread: does it come with the cards shown, or can I otherwise obtain them? The other ships?

I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get the Hawk. I was very pleased with the three I got.

I'd get me some V-Wings, but I consider that one of the more likely near-future efforts by FFG.

Sorry, no, the cards are not included, you can download them and print them from here:

http://www.albertomelchorruizanton.net/mel_miniatures/melminiatures14.04.29a.pdf

But I have to say those are old and im redoing all of my cards to add the Scum and Villainy, more pilots and fix several issues.

Oh, awesome! Thanks, man. 364 pages!! Wow.

PewPewPew: Honestly, even the best of this "grown" stuff (IS is in fact ABS?) is markedly inferior to the professional plastic you'll get from FFG, and also inferior to resin. Paint doesn't stick well, it carries less detail, it all has some kind of rough texture, and the "layers" are visible. The spendier the material, the better the quality, but it IS mighty **** spendy.

That said, 3D printing and resin are the only games in town for ships you really want but which just aren't forthcoming. And really, they do a good job; the results aren't primitive, just not as clean as a professionally manufactured piece from a plant using traditional casting methods.

So, my call would be: give it a whirl. Start with a piece or two that are fairly cheap, straightforward & simple, that don't have a bunch of delicate parts because those don't always print successfully. And, pay for at least Frosted Detail plastic. Oh - and note that texture will be more "forgiving" on a larger model than on some tiny one!

One pic with the basecoats.

http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz127/imperator58/Shapewaysbasecoat_zps4ad16f09.jpg

Shapeways MAY be replacing the Sith fighter, which did indeed ping apart again.

3D printing is still a new technology and it's impressive how far it's come so far but it's not perfect, stumbles will be made at first but in 10 years the idea of not printing stuff on demand will be alien to kids.

Proper injection moulding has had decades to perfect itself so of course ffgs models will come out more professional, give it a few more years though and 3D printers will be a contender.