I need to find a Model making company for my designs

[Clawhammer]

A polylimit would kind of be a boundary. I can understand why, but 500.000 is really not much if you need to do models for high res applications. I remember a certain Ringship that in the viewport was good for 8,7 million polygons.

CNC is still an option, convert it to STL, and it should in theory be possible to machine it. Something I want to try for 2 years now. I notice however that the more complex the models become, the harder it is to keep the parts down to 4 or 5. I'm planning on trying this with some newer projects though. (Aventine maybe, Merian very likely.)

 

[Q2UnME]

^ Yea, but I would think if you took any mesh, broke it down into several parts with each part being it's own file, that you could print all the files separately. Then, all the printed parts become you kit to assemble and the finished "model" is your original mesh. I don't see where a 500,000 polygon limit would be a problem if you think in terms of "per piece" or "per sub-assembley".

If anyone knows or has contact with deg or Vektor perhaps you could bring this thread to their attention. I'd love to get their input and to see if they'd be willing to even give it a try.

Q2UnME

 

[The Axeman]

I've started building a 3D print friendly version of one of my Trek models to see what's what. Not easy! I thought I could just convert my existing models, but that's not going to happen any time soon. It might be easier with 3D Max or similar, but Lightwave is much looser in its restraints and I'd be at it for days trying to convert the models. If you ask Deg or Vektor to convert their models for you, I think it would be a no due to the sheer work involved in the process.

Anyway, I've got a script for exporting to .stl format, a program for viewing .stl files and an account at Shapeways. Once I've finished the model I'll be able to see how big I can make it without breaking the bank. Much over 6 inches and you're up into 50 quid at least. I'm busy hollowing out everything to try and save cash. When I finally get something printed I'll post some pics.

 

[137th Gebirg]

Cool! Looking forward to see how it turns out. I love these 3D printers, especially the ones that add colored dye to the resin. If only I had the tens of thousands of dollars and hours of spare time to use one. Guess I'll live vicariously through others on this one...

 

[Clawhammer]

^ Yea, but I would think if you took any mesh, broke it down into several parts with each part being it's own file, that you could print all the files separately. Then, all the printed parts become you kit to assemble and the finished "model" is your original mesh. I don't see where a 500,000 polygon limit would be a problem if you think in terms of "per piece" or "per sub-assembley".

If anyone knows or has contact with deg or Vektor perhaps you could bring this thread to their attention. I'd love to get their input and to see if they'd be willing to even give it a try.

Q2UnME

If you are willing to go that route: in theory you could make a kit of the Aventine, all parts are watertight and "fit" into eachother without crossing other parts or sections. However that would mean you have to print about 900 parts, something that is going to cost a lot of money. That's why most meshes need to be simplified. The new model I'm working on so far has 5 major units (top, center, bottom, pylons and nacelles) If I can manage to add all the details within such a unit, it would greatly improve the chances to have it printed. (or machined) My goal is to stay under 20 parts. Still the price of a 40 inch model (my next dream ) will be exorbitant.

Time will tell

 

[Warped9]

Wow! I'm glad I came across this thread because I've got some original non-Trek designs that I'd love to see realized as an actual physical model.

 

[Q2UnME]

^ Yea, but I would think if you took any mesh, broke it down into several parts with each part being it's own file, that you could print all the files separately. Then, all the printed parts become you kit to assemble .....snip..
Q2UnME

If you are willing to go that route: in theory you could make a kit of the Aventine, all parts are watertight and "fit" into each other without crossing other parts or sections. However that would mean you have to print about 900 parts, something that is going to cost a lot of money. That's why most meshes need to be simplified. The new model I'm working on so far has 5 major units (top, center, bottom, pylons and nacelles) If I can manage to add all the details within such a unit, it would greatly improve the chances to have it printed. (or machined) My goal is to stay under 20 parts. Still the price of a 40 inch model (my next dream ) will be exorbitant.

Time will tell

Well, you are correct, in theory one could dismantle a mesh into 900 separate meshes for printing. I suggested 1/1000th. scale or 11" long because that seemed to be a reasonable balance between size, detail and most of all cost.

Q2

 

[The Axeman]

I've decided to try and make my USS Kilimanjaro kitbash for printing, since there's already a couple of guys who want physical models of it. From my first attempt it looks like it's going to cost me about £25 for a 6 inch model of it.

I'd really like to get that bigger so this time I'm also hollowing out the structure. I've no idea if it will work the way I'm doing it, but it's got to be worth a try. If it comes off I might be able to get the size up to 10 inches for the same money. I'm simplifying some of the details and exaggerating some others so that it should come out on the model better. No point having tiny panel lines and windows you cant see, so I'm making fewer, deeper windows to compensate. Saucer and secondary hull are now complete, tomorrow I hope to finish the nacelles and neck and send it off for evaluation. If it passes, I'll have a model in a week or so. If not, it's back to the drawing board to learn from my mistakes.

 

[Vektor]

For my part, I'm definitely interested in the idea of converting some or all of my designs into physical models. In fact, there are plans to do that very thing with at least one of them, but nothing that is going to happen in the very near future.

 

[Buck Rogers]

I just thought of trying to makes some models for sale at Shore Leave as part of my promotion for the book of which I only have the writing chores to finish,and it will be ready for publication in truth the sketchbook's images will have commentary,captions,and my thoughts on each topic that will be in the book very little writting involved some of the images you've all seen,but some I've kept under wraps untill I could finish them.

That's all

Signed

Buck Rogers

 

[The Axeman]

I'm now having issues running the export script to turn my .lwo model into a .stl file for the shapeways company to print. If I cant figure out what the hell is wrong I may need to find another way to convert it, or go to another company that accepts .3ds and .obj files.

Also I've uploaded some test objects to Shapeways to check if my hollowing out technique was acceptable and made any difference. I basically made a simple cylinder shape a bit like a secondary hull, then another where I hollowed out much of the interior and capped it shut with another piece. Both designs passed acceptance tests, and the hollow one was 2/3rds the price to print. Happy days!