That’s really interesting. I run a company that manufactures a lot if miniatures for a number of different companies. I’ve actually never seen an FDM print in real life! Are they very strong? I also know the surface detail isn’t great.
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I’d also be more than happy to help with printing a few pieces. I’ve got a fair bit of experience printing gaming miniatures and 28mm scale minis for example. See my hub for some example prints on my FDM machine of the quality I get on minis.
Before going too far, make sure to consider a few things (as I’ve got some experience/exposure on this):
You definitely aren’t the first to make a tabletop strategy game that’s fully printable. http://www.illgottengames.net/ 108 has been making games exclusively for 3D Printing for a while now, and one of their main guys (goes by dutchmogul) on thingiverse has tons of printable open-source designs published already both targeting more casual games, and more hardcore mini gaming. Might be a good idea to look at what they have, maybe with some collaboration you can get a lot accomplished in less time. 
Also be wary of Games Workshop. They troll the 3D Printing community because their gaming stuff is expensive, and once 3DP became a popular thing, people started printing Warhammer and Warhammer 40K parts for example. Even if your parts aren’t a copy of theirs, and it just “looks similar” they will slap a DMCA takedown on it, and get it taken down, and if you’re making any money off of it, they will attempt to sue. Just letting you know to be careful about how you plan your designs so they don’t appear too “games workshoppy” lol so you don’t get slapped down by DMCA nonsense.
Looking forward to see what you come up with! And again, don’t hesitate to reach out via my hub if you need any prints done.
Not to, uh, niggle, but you’re hardly the first person to 3D print war gaming miniatures, even a whole set of them. And you’re not the first 3D printed war game ever. I’ve got Wood Wars 3D in before you on that one, though after a failed kickstarter I haven’t done much with it.
So what is 3D printing going to add to wargaming to make your game to make it stand out?
And your website offends Avast for some reason.
You can get great details with FDM, but the files had to be specially designed for FDM, otherwise it won’t look good.
You can get a FDM print that looks almost as good as one from a SLA or Polyjet for a fraction of the price, but the models had to be well designed.
See attachment with the kind of detail you can get from a desktop FDM. Design is key.
You can also check the picture of our model everything was made on a single extruder FDM.
http://3dwargaming.com/3d-models/ 24
Also, FDM prints are more solid and can be designed to be articulated.
Well, all my models have already be print tested, I’m more looking for reviewers.
http://3dwargaming.com/3d-models/ 37
Here are the models, if you are interested in anyone of them, I can give you access for free for an review.
The prints in the picture were printed at 0.1mm, your printer should be able to print them even better than what you see in the picture.
Actually, I print test all my models myself, so I’m more looking more reviewers.
Thanks for the advice, but I probably won’t need to worry about Games Workshop.
We create our own IP and we own everything we make: setting, story, rules and models. None of our model, nor anything in our setting look anything like stuff from GW, so there is nothing GW can do about us. You can’t DMCA something owned by someone else.
Here is some game lore: pocket universe with no star nor planet, multiverse travelers on a secret missions, strange creature in an alien world, etc.
http://3dwargaming.com/the-game/ 19
Also I see, we may not be the first 3D Printable tabletop game, but I think we are the first wargame on the style of 40K or Warmachine.
I actually saw those stuff on Thiniverse, those are mostly character model. Personally, I think it’s the wrong approach. FDM printers, which is pretty much the only kind of printer under 1000$. FDM are pretty bad at printing characters, the quality is abysmal compare to what you can get from game stores. But, if you use FDM to print vehicles, that’s another story.
A tank designed for FDM printing, if print at 0.1mm layer, then the quality will match from what we get from gamestore, it will cost much less.
That’s why I’m making a tank focused game (we already found solution to include infantry even with only desktop FDM), anyone with a decent FDM printer can print an army that look just as nice those you buy. I think we should try to make up with the best of what we have rather than wait for some super 3D printer that won’t be here in 15 years.
You can see pic of our models here: http://3dwargaming.com/3d-models/ 7
All those were printed at 0.1mm, single extruder.
Anyways, if you are interested in making a review, I can give access to any of my models for free.
I’m currently finishing a tripod, the model has 12 articulations. I design it to be printed on any desktop FDM printer. And the printers you have can definitely print it.
I attached a picture of :
A FDM printed HMG,it’s the size of a bolter.
A Tank
A Lux Sentiel (the tripod.)
BTW, do you play any wargame?
Sorry for the Avast, we have a bad host, we’ll change it soon.
So what is 3D printing going to add to wargaming to make your game to make it stand out?
You mean a fully 3D Printable Wargame that allow anyone with a decent(±1000$ range) single extruder FDM printer to print an wargaming army that look just as good as models from game store? What something like that could possibly add to wargaming?
How about getting new people into 3D printing my providing a reason for them to 3D print beyond making gadget and trinkets? What something like that could possibly add to 3D Printing?
How about a unique opportunity to bring the two greatest communities together? What is such a project gonna add to wargaming and 3D printing?
I’m arguing the devil here, but availability isn’t really a compelling reason for someone to jump in here. 3D printing will always be second fiddle to traditional manufacturing when it comes to producing large units of a thing for the masses. Sure, anyone with a 3D printer could do this, but why would they want to when they can get something comparable for less effort and only a little more money. All you’re offering is a new layer to a hobby that is already a heavy hobby.
There are already communities of people combining gaming and 3D printing. Even war gaming. You may have found an unexplored niche of a niche. But all that means is you have no audience.
So what can 3D printing add to make this stand out and be worth what you’re paying for hosting? For instance, could the 3D printed units be modified before printing so that each one is unique? Or can with simple modifications you make more variety than you could get out of a box (that couldn’t just be done with post processing)? Can 3D printing make modular units that you mix-and-match on the fly to create new combinations of units? Can you, with 3D printing, upgrade or promote your units to newer units that you can then take into the next game to add a legacy-styled play element? Perhaps you could add an RTS-styled research element to add 3D printed weapons and units to your game during the game, perhaps rewarding capturing and holding certain research points?
The point is, offering an alternative to traditional manufacturing is a no-win situation unless you couple that with something that traditional manufacturing can’t offer. Traditional manufacture is too mature, too well established, and too ubiquitous to go head-to-head with in it’s own arena. So don’t. Give us something completely new and you’ve got a story.
“You may have found an unexplored niche of a niche. But all that means is you have no audience.”
Sure, if I limit myself, only to a niche of a niche. People like nice model, be it to play, or just to have one. Especially if they are similar or better than the one we can buy.
“For instance, could the 3D printed units be modified before printing so that each one is unique? Or can with simple modifications you make more variety than you could get out of a box (that couldn’t just be done with post processing)?”
So Easy
“Can 3D printing make modular units that you mix-and-match on the fly to create new combinations of units?”
Already done.
“Can you, with 3D printing, upgrade or promote your units to newer units that you can then take into the next game to add a legacy-styled play element? Perhaps you could add an RTS-styled research element to add 3D printed weapons and units to your game during the game, perhaps rewarding capturing and holding certain research points?”
I don’t play RPG, you got to clarify your question.
“The point is, offering an alternative to traditional manufacturing is a no-win situation unless you couple that with something that traditional manufacturing can’t offer. Traditional manufacture is too mature, too well established, and too ubiquitous to go head-to-head with in it’s own arena. So don’t. Give us something completely new and you’ve got a story.”
-Joy of making things at home?
-More choice
-3D printed model that are just as good if not better for a fraction of the price of those in game stores?
I didn’t realise you could get that level of detail and quality with FDM printers. Do you have to do much finishing to get a suitable surface?
Regards
Adam
Hi
I’m based in the UK and have an Envisiontec Perfactory if you ever need anything outsourcing.
Regards
Adam
What speeds are you printing at?
@ZhiLin_Yang it might be a cool idea to get a partnership with a 3D printing company and sell your game with the 3D printer in a bundle.
There are several very affordable 3D printers in the FDM category going for the 300-600 CAD range. Some even have dual color printing enabled, which could make your models really stick out and even more visually appealing.
I have a couple of suppliers in mind, let me know if you would be interested in this.
Thanks, that would be a good idea. Actually, I’ve already been approached by a few company already.
If you know any company they are free to contact me.
https://3dwargaming.com/contact-us/ 4
As for dual color, as a wargamer I still personally prefer to paint my models, but I guess each one his preference.
didn’t really pay attention, I just print at finest setting.
0.4 nozzle
0.1 layers
30-40 deg for overhang. Though my models don’t have any angled overhang, mostly.
Wow, that is very good indeed.
What machine are you running? Surely it’s the machine’s precision more than anything?
Oh and design, of course!
The printer doesn’t matter that much for those models. those where printed on a old upbox 2 that’s on its last leg.
Most of the work is to design the files so that they can print well even on an average printer.
Just don’t try that with character models. There is a limit to what deigns can do, it’s a case by case thing.
4 months later
I would love to review/ test one of your models, the models look real good did you do any sanding before painting or is that strait out of the printer? I have a Da Vinci jr. PLA printer. Its a cheap printer so it would be cool to see how the models turn out on a cheaper printer. Is there current rules for a game to play with the models? would you like me to make a youtube video, or write a review for you? I am very interested in this project.
I was originally planning to make a full game, but I decided to scale down the operation, so it’s only models for now.
This is the website btw:
And yes, I think Da Vinci jr. should print well. I make my design as much printer proof as I can.
As for youtube vid and review, that would be great. Just send me a message on Facebook: it would be easier to communicate.