I thought this was an interesting aside that came across my newsfeed this morning.
http://www.cnet.com/news/3d-printing-produces-a-perfect-replica-of-a-6th-century-sword/

Gra30, I agree to a point. Averages for video games run from $40 to $80 dependent on the game system and franchise.
Figures average similarly for 54mm, more for larger scale or material. (Mounted figures are $150)
Once a figure is done, its done. It sits on a shelf and unless the peson is willing to strip it and redo it, it is done. A video game has an ongoing life. Is interactive and in some cases can have different outcomes. In addition it is interactive with other systems so there is a group activity involved that constantly changes the dynamic of the game and its outcome. The idea that the argument is moot, is an apples and oranges argument and has no bearing. There is nothing in the figure realm that can compete with that. So much so that even table top wargames are becoming a thing of the past. The industry probably won't die out completely but it certainly will have to change to endure. If that means 3D is the way to go then so be it. I still appreciate the hand work that is current today, but definitely see the idea of 3D printing as an important impact on the industry.

I understand what you are saying and I agree that in certain circumstances it has it uses as Jon points out especially for weapons,equipment etc.
But I ask myself, having seen some 3d pieces at present (complete sculpts I mean) , is the technology being used for the sake of using it, a new toy, or to improve the piece.
At present I think it is the former as rarely if ever have I seen a piece that cannot be done just aswell by hand, if not better.
If it is a case of things must change for the hobby to survive I don't see that , it will evolve for sure utilising both methods for the same goal as today, but I don't see the dire need for a overhaul or the need to entice youngsters and change path solely for its survival. As has been mentioned many a time the target audience are those later in life who possibly started on plastic kits and returned to modelling once older and with a regular income, as I did. To many of those, prices of kits are reasonable considered the work and enjoyment involved and if it tickles their taste buds enough they hopefully buy the piece.

I think we are confusing the person who wishes to produce the best piece he/she can and sees it as an art and the youngster who just needs something to occupy himself/herself, for sure they will most likely pick something else and fair enough (not including the youngsters who take the hobby seriously and save to fund their hobby)
There aren't many hobbies that can keep you occupied for several weeks for £20.
But that's just my take and as said who knows? I'll enjoy the hobby while I can still see what I'm doing

I come from an industry that has born the brunt of 'new' technology for many decades now. Printing has undergone so many radical changes from when I entered it in 1968 as a lowly apprentice.
We saw the rise of computers, long before they were affordable, or even available for home use. At first they were seen as a boon then, later on, were blamed for the loss of so many jobs and closures of small companies.
3D printing is being hailed as the next big thing in modelling. What is not being asked is, do I want it in my home. There is much more to this subject than just the printer itself.
You must factor in the cost of a very fast computer, the 3D software, the time it will take you to learn how to use it and, then of course, the 3D printer itself.
For people of my age (60+) there is no desire to make such a large outlay for something that will take so long to master and, will doubtfully give me the results I would crave.
There are undoubtedly areas that will benefit greatly from this technology. Museums are one such area, as was shown in a previous link. Archeology is another field that has become excited about 3D printing, with the medical sciences arena talking about huge advances in replicating vital body replacement parts.
These are all massively funded arenas, who will no doubt use the technology to the max. Where the modelling fraternity is concerned. I personally, cannot envisage even the biggest companies, wanting to make the huge outlay for staff and equipment of the highest quality, in order to embrace such a new technology that is still in its infancy, just for the sake of saying they tried it.
Just because it is here, doesn't mean it will encompass the future of our hobby, unless we want it too. Anyone remember 'Betamax'

I'd be highly concerned for the antiques market, how many replica items will be coming through that side of it.

BP, this is simply another sculpting tool, you will still be able to identify any individual style of the 3d sculptor because it is still sculpting.....just using different tools.
Those who wish to continue using the tools we all currently familiar with will no doubt continue sculpting the way they find suitable for them.

It's not like you simply push a button and the desired figure pops out.

Colin, some of the best 3D sculpts we've seen on this forum display masterful sculpting skills.
Some members seem to feel that any mug can push a button and produce a figure,......artistic skill is still required just the tools are new.



I'm still truly amazed at why this topic causes such angst for some members.
I can only put it down to confusion about the technology or unease with new technology and different methods.
This type of sculpting will become part of this hobby and it's simply not going to go away, even if we wished it would, and I'm sure it will compliment our current sculpting methods and not make them obsolete.

You misread my intent. If you read it in context following Piotr's comments about cheap figures depicting large scenes, I was saying that learning to sculpt is about the only reasonable approach to getting cheap figures for large scenes that few are interested in. I would argue that the 3D sculpting of such large scenes will still be expensive, in the unlikely event anyone troubles to do it. That is precisely because 3D sculpting will still be time consuming to generate a good quality outcome. Different tools but you still need a talented sculptor.

Colin

Why paint as there are 3D printers that print in color.
In the future, all we need to win a medal at a show is to own a more expensive printer than others.

And here we go again...

Why don't we discuss this topic only when we have something else to exchange than opinions? Say at the release of the next 3D printed figure, or figure where parts have been designed digitally.
Or discuss it in the 3D printing sub-forum. The latter even contains members that know quite a lot about it, but somehow it doesn't attract much traffic. Maybe 3D IS a scary subject....?! ;-)

Adrian

Anyone can go and buy a pre-painted figure now,...and enter it in a show.

It seems a pretty basic thing to have to point out, but if you do wish to paint figures you get yourself an unpainted 3D sculpted figure but if you're a collector you will be able to buy one pre painted by a skilled figure painter just as they do now or one that's produced pre painted.

I know which one I'd prefer, but just as the toy soldier market goes for a simply painted figure without concern for a realistic finish there will also be a market for such prepainted printed figures.

But as we all know the skills of a fine sculptor and those of a fine figure painter will never be made obsolete by any machine.

There's nothing to get all jittery about,.....but then again ,if these machines did ever go mad and start printing out hundreds and thousands of fully armed and loaded figures with a burning hatred for figure painters and sculptors you'd want to now how to sculpt and paint a weapon of mass destruction pretty quickly........better start practicing that one.

I have a traditional art background, but have been doing digital art for the past 16 years. I can sculpt in clay, and make a silicon mold and cast it--I also know how to sculpt in ZBrush, and how to 3D print it ( and even have a simple printrbot).

What the technology is going to bring, is for an artist to make his art available to you directly. Miniature companies still ( even when buying a digital master (which can be output at any scale) want to pay the sculptor $300, and then mass-produce their art work for sale. The sculptor is working for minimum wages...

With 3D printing ( the machines like Form2, or a DLP printer), an artist can afford to own the means of production. There is no mold to make, or inventory to keep. If someone wants a piece of yours, you can make it on demand and ship it to them.

If you want to create your own line of figures, there is no one to convince to buy it, market it, etc. You just do it, and put it on the internet for sale, directly to your fans. If only a few people want it, then you only make exactly what you sell...The long tail of it, is that your designs are always "in stock", because you only print them on demand.

Instead of being payed $300 for a figure that a bigger company is selling to your fans for $50, you sell it to them directly. Think about it--you only have to sell six copies of your figure to match the fee that miniature companies want to pay you for your work!

Every time I paint a highly detailed piece, I begin to notice what it took to create that piece with the human hand. That takes talent, patience and insight of what it takes to create a finished product that can be reproduced and sold for a profit for the person or business that's selling it. Yes I'm ''old school" but I still appreciate what the artists eye and human mind and hand can accomplish.

Wayne

Here is a two years old coloured 3-D-print of myselt - not so bad, I think...:






But in my opinion this technique will never be able to completely replace a good sculptor, so the sculptor and the machine will still manage to cope with each other - and both will have a livelihood.

The machine will work for the mass market and the good sculptor will manufacture exclusive single pieces and small series.

For bad sculptors (which unfortunately also exist), the 3-D-technique will mean the commercial "Off".

Cheers

I think that Zbrush + Form 2 is an incredible combo to produce life like busts at a very reasonable cost.
Who knows, maybe I'll produce my own 3D busts one day !