Application of 3D Printing in Model Design
Realistic models present unique opportunities for the animated entertainment industry.
Using advanced 3D digital modeling technology and digital slicing, 3D printing technology is the core of model production. Compared with traditional manual prototyping methods, some advantages of digital design promote the innovation of model manual production mode and the improvement of design level. Realistic models present unique opportunities for the animated entertainment industry.
Due to the limitation of materials and production tools, the traditional figure prototype production is difficult to meet the strict industrialization requirements in talent demand,design and production, which means it can not be quickly mass-produced.
Disadvantages of traditional figure prototyping
High requirements for technical talents
The work of a figure prototype artist is equivalent to a traditional sculptor, who skillfully creates characters in animation and games by hand-carving and using materials.
The nature of their work directly determines the expertise of the sculptor, coupled with a very clear understanding of the model’s image.
The main raw materials for traditional figure making are oil mud and clay. Even though Japanese prototypers have invented them for decades and think that it is best to use clay as the main material.Compared with the “virtual clay” in digital modeling software, there are still many disadvantages, such as that it is almost impossible to make major modifications after the clay material has hardened. The traditional clay material determines the rich experience of the prototype designer, so there is no room for failure in the production.
The requirement for technical talents is reflected in the meticulous production. When making hand-made character models of more than 10 centimeters, the face of the character is often only the size of a thumbnail, and its tiny size will also bring great challenges to the production. Therefore, for a long time, it was difficult for many graduates to enter the figure production industry. However, there is no such problem in the use of digital modeling technology in computers. Because it is easy to modify and adjust, it will correspondingly reduce the requirements for talents.
The toxicity of the material is high
In the production of traditional figures, carved clay is mostly used in China, followed by Super Sculpey, while stone powder clay, poly-putty, AB soil, etc. are mostly used in Japan, among which poly-putty and some inferior carved clay have great toxic, under long-term exposure by the prototypers, some toxic ingredients will enter the human body through the skin and respiratory tract, causing serious harm to health.
Advantages of 3D digital modeling and 3D printing technology in figureprototype production:
Japan and the United States are the most advanced in figure production technology and experience, and their products have the largest market share. In recent years, some figure prototypers in Japan and the United States have gradually given up the traditional clay handicrafts and switched to 3D digital modeling to design and produce figure prototypes, which have gained huge benefits both in terms of product effects and market responses. It was successful and opened up a new path of hand-made prototype production.
3D digital modeling technology generally uses 3D modeling software such as 3dsmax and Zbrush to design 3D models, and then uses 3D printers such as DLP, SLA or LCD to print them into real objects.
Since the model materials in 3D digital modeling are virtual digitized, this technology has characteristics and advantages that real clay materials do not have. Making good use of these features can make the creation of figure prototypes more efficient.
The digital modeling technique has the following characteristics and advantages
1.The size is not subject to any restrictions
2.Not limited by the physical properties of real materials
3.Non-linear production process
4.Modular Creation
5.The obvious advantages of making hard surfaces
When there are models of machinery and armor with hard surfaces in the figure, it is often difficult to make perfect edges and corners with clay, but it is easy to make with 3D digital modeling. Mainly use Zbrush and Maya software for modeling and production. After 3D printing, the armor has rich details and sharp edges and corners.
The biggest advantage of the above points is that it breaks the limitations of the traditional production process, making the design and production of figure prototypes more efficient, and at the same time enriching the production effect, reducing design and production costs, and improving the competitiveness of products in the market.