it is a tad more complicated than the star trek replicators. good 3d software in not cheap plus the learning curve. the material for the printing is another expense. and the 3D scanner if you are not designing/drawing the part in CAD. i built a PZ-IIG years ago in 3D taking dimensions from the tamiya kit and it is a whole different thought process and skill set. i don’t think the ordinary modeler is going to be doing this just like the ordinay modeler does not do his own PE.
^^^ this
Agreed entirely.
I’m a sculptor/scratchbuilder who has also been using 3D CAD software for the past 12-15 years, and I can say without question that there is a real learning curve, and an absolutely dedicated skillset one needs for 3D modeling that does not directly translate from physical skills. I would say that the amount of work that an aspiring builder would need to perform to recreate any given piece or part effectively would be a serious obstacle to anyone who is not absolutely dedicated to mastering the particular software involved.
Most of the 3D scanners I am aware of are likely not adequate for good modeling work. Company I used to work at started a project one time to make 3D scanners for scupturers. Eventually gave up. It is expensive to get good accuracy at a reasonable price. If laser and you are using TOF, the timing has to be ridulously fast. Triangulation needs really precise angle accuracy.
I think think one can imagine several plausible scenarios for 3d printing.
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everybody has a 3d printer in their homes. The whole industrial and distribution process is changed. Not only for models but also for jewelry, electronics, food (yes they are working 3d food printers) etc etc. So if you need a new bowl, just download a design and print it.
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high capacity 3d printers come available but stay expensive. So printer owners operate in a Shapeway model. They are the marketplace for designers and customers. Plus they distribute the product. Starting a company becomes easy since you only have to design stuff, the printer company makes and distributes your product.
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I would think there are two main variables. Firstly does the high end printing technology become cheaper. Secondly does the designing technology (software, 3d scanning, etc) become cheap and acceable. Just put these two variables in a two by two matrix and you have got 4 possible scenario’s.
That’s not what I’m talking about, Don… It’s more like me not being very happy when a guy loses-out to a cherry modeler, one who’s only been in the hobby for a couple years, but thanks to the plethora of AM detail parts, builds with his wallet and not his own modeling skills… The ever elusive, often ignored “Scope of Effort” judging criteria doen’t get met that way, IMHO…
I’ve seen too many dioramas (That’s the only category I judge in) that weren’t even complete win, even after I pointed out the flaws to the other judges… Cropping tails, structures and kits parallell to edges, unfinished structure interiors with windiws or open sides, figures running every which way instead of away or towards the “enemy in the distance”, poor or no story-line etc… They were just BIG doioramas, with multiple kits and lost to smaller, complete, and excellent “one model” dios…
But I digress
They haven’t “made their bones” yet, IMNSHO…( Hence, the “Monogram Mafia” was born, lol…)
That’s why I made the “Star-Trek Replicator” post… I know we won’t live to actually see it, but I do foresee it one day, maybe in the 23rd century… Home replicators at afforable prices… Might be that one would forego programming by then, and just buy the disc (ir whatever ROM thing they have) of 101 German AFVs-1939 - 1945…
Disclaimer: There WAS a bit of a rant there, but this post is largely “tongue-in-cheek”…
I still see the stumbling block of having the original part to scan/create. As others have stated 3d computer modeling is intensive and time consuming. If you have the original part and just want to reproduce more of them that can be done now. However if you do not have an original you will either have to fabricate one physically or digitally.
Besides where is the joy of creation if you are just mashing some buttons and a computer is doing the work?
Some would call that “creating”… Sadly, I don’t see the need for “instant graification” going away as technology progresses… I expect to see much more of that condition… MUCH more…
I have only tried a little 3D CAD, but I assume it will be like 2D CAD as far as a learning curve. I taught myself CAD just for modeling. First few projects took forever, but I gradually came up to speed (yeah, a shallowlearning curve is the hard one- a steep learning curve means it is easy to learn!). Anyway, if I really get interested in 3D CAD I’d pick up a 3D package. Scratch builders generally need to do some drafting anyway, if it is really a scratch project, even if that drafting is resizing someone else’s drawings.
Some folks get lot of satisfaction in planning a project, doing the references, etc., and the drafting if it is a scratch project. Others are specialists in painting (I suspect color choices in 3D printing will not be adequate for scale models.
The same kind of thing has been said about plastic kits. Old timers who built wood “solid models” criticize current plastic models as just assembling a bunch of preformed parts, not shaping all those parts like we had to do in “the good old days.”
I looked at solid wood models as an entirely different medium and seperate genre (much like RC models and the “stick & tissue” kits) of scale modeling…
Just to be clear I have no problems with computer modeling. I have done 3d modeling for a flight sim in the past and some skin work. I consider both on par with modeling; they require skills although some of them are different ones. My comment was more directed at the scan an item and then have the 3d printer produce it. That is not really doing much of anything in my opinion that is having the computer do it.
It is still possible for a human to create 3-D art. I’m just sayin
Are you sure? Blender is used for Animation and 3D art… and it’s free. Sure it’s very hard to learn, but some major animation studios use it.
Once someone works out a way to print Google Sketchup models, (another freebie) that will open up an easy way to create 3D shapes.
“No photo it didn’t happen” is a rule I see all to often when folks keep yaking! I haven’t seen anything useful from theses machines that solved a problem outside of the manufacturing relm. Although it is a modeler who actually takes his idea and shows proof of concept. 3-D? Give it up!!!
But just a 3D CAD program may not be enough. It needs to be compatible with the printer software. Also, just the CAD file may not be enough. Many CAM systems need a conversion software that converts the CAD files into CAM instruction files, and it is often not just a simple file conversion, but includes some user input. Now, those 3D printers are not conventional CAM, so maybe those conversion programs won’t be needed, but still the CAD files must be compatible with the printer software. I hope they don’t require DXF files- AutoCAD is quite expensive!
Sound Great. I agree
The future is now…meet the Replicator II.
store.makerbot.com/replicator2.html
At only $2,199 it’s one of the cheapest 3-d printers on the market, and you can be sure that price will only drop as the technology becomes cheaper and newer iterations of the machine come out.
(But personally I’d rather have a laser cutter at home, or maybe this…http://knkusa.com/shop/knk-zing/ No fancy ventilation system to deal with and a lot cheaper.)
I’d love to go on one of the online shops or maybe even the manufactures site and order the files necessary to print out a 3D kit. Let’s say a car from Tamiya, to print out in plastic, transparent and rubber. Opps! I got glue on the windshield! No problem, print out the replacement. Buy the entire kit or replacement parts files online.
No need to go to the store or wait for the big brown truck. Own 200 kits on a few discs or other storage device, get all that self space back! Only print them when you’re ready to build!
The major play I see with these is that they would be great for building your own parts to detail your model with.
In my opinion, 3d Printers will eventually kill photo etch.
“At only $2,199 it’s one of the cheapest 3-d printers on the market.”
Boy, that is a lot of kits 
But I certainly agree that I’d like a laser cutter system. I also would like to see more, and easier to use, businesses offering custom laser cutting.