so, I just got a bonus from my boss and am going to splurge on myself a little. I have been debating between an Oculus Rift and 3D printer and am coming down on the side of a printer but am looking for guidance. I just Googled the subject and now my head is spinning a little so I'm hoping someone here can give me some personal guidance or tips.

My asks:

• I'm looking for a printer that is easy enough for a novice to use
• is 'self-contained' in that I don't want to have to buy components from multiple manufacturers to work
• can produce products of a high enough quality to use in XWM - so if I created a ship, I don't want it looking totally incongruous on the mat next to other pieces
• Ideally on this side of $500

Thanks in advance!

A Monkey Ready To Play with Plastic

Here's some info, I know the rpf has lots of other threads about the topic. Trust these guys opinions.

http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=247174&highlight=3d+printer+review

http://www.therpf.com/search.php?searchid=276244

Make magazine had a good breakdown of the various printers available.

I don't think there are many commercially available printers which will have the resolution to print XWM-scale minis and still look good tbh.

Not to mention that the greater difficulty is not in buying the printer, it's in obtaining the models in the right format and scale, and getting them ready for printing, and making sure they print properly.

3d printing is a cool technology, but I don't think it's quite there for 3d prinitng game minis in the home setting yet.

You'd probably save time, money and headaches just ordering them from ShapeWays.

I've seen some affordable ones and their results and they were so-so. I've seen the latest ones at Maker Fairs and they are so much better. I'm not sure if it's when they came out or how much you spend, but make sure to look into the details. The latest ones seem much better than the results I've seen from friends.

Also, need to look at size. If you want to make some cases for things like the Falcon you need to look at how big you can make something.

The key to 3D printers is the software and how versatile it is. That and the resolution. If it's not a high enough resolution, your finished model may look layered.

Parravon, on 06 Feb 2016 - 05:17 AM, said:

The key to 3D printers is the software and how versatile it is. That and the resolution. If it's not a high enough resolution, your finished model may look layered.

More and more, that's what I'm realizing. I don't think I am prepared to spend the amount I would need in order to get the quality prints I will need.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond.