WIP Shots : Anakin ETA 2 Jedi Interceptor

I've been sitting on those pictures for too long, but didn't have the time to put words to paper.

I'm calling this WIP shots, as it's too barebones for a proper tutorial but hopefully you'll get a clear idea of my process and what to expect from those shapeways models.

3D printing : the future of miniature gaming?

So I just finished painting 2 Jedi Interceptors at 1/270th scale  from Shapeways designed by Mel_Miniatures.

http://www.shapeways.com/model/984898/interceptor-lledi-1-270.html?materialId=61

Is this the future of miniature gaming?

Maybe.

However right now it is no replacement for plastic/resin models.

This model in Frosted Ultra Detail set me back around 11€, 

which is a bit steep considering the level of detail and it's only 20mm long.

Here is a picture in it's raw state:

And with a black undercoat, to get a better view:

The 2 interceptors on the right have been cleaned before priming while the 2 on the left and the 2 Tie Droids have been primed directly. Pay attention to the small lines on the hull and the grain of the back of the cockpit.

Closeup of the underneath before cleaning:

Cleaned with a white coat, to get a different view: 

So basically it is a great way to get the basic shape of a model, but the level of details (the resolution so to speak) is not there yet compared to a plastic/resin model, even in the frosted ultra detail which is the best level of details you can get from Shapeways.

However I bet it would be a great way to create a main body for detailing in order to create a master for casting.

As is you can get great results with a bit of work, but as you can see most of the details on the model where free handed and that's not everyone cup of tea.

Time to reload,
Ica

X-Wing Showcase : Anakin Jedi Interceptor

So what I told you was true. From a certain point of view.

Following Obiwan craft, I painted Anakin ETA-2 interceptor from Revenge of the Sith. It sports as expected R2D2 in the droid slot.

As the close ups of Obiwan fighter revealed a grain texture to some panels, I tried to weather the craft differently to hide/decrease the apparent roughness.

Here is a group shot of my 3 latest ships, the Millenium Falcon and the 2 jedi Interceptors:

Time to reload,
Ica

X-Wing Showcase : Obiwan Jedi Interceptor

My first model from Shapeways!

This is an ETA-2 Actis class light interceptor, as seen in Revenge of the Sith piloted by Obiwan Kenobi.

The ship is to xwing scale (1/270), but the size of the actual craft is about half that of an X-Wing, which means that the model is 20mm long. Due to process limitations it came pretty bare in term of details, but it's a good base for painting. Thanks to Mel_Miniatures for designing this model!

You can find it on shapeways under the name lledi interceptor (2 ls for some reason instead of the J): http://www.shapeways.com/model/984898/interceptor-lledi-1-270.html

Here is a side by side comparison with the raw (cleaned and undercoated) model, as you can see most of the details where free handed.

I tried a new technique on this model : the plastic engine exhaust as proposed by:
http://www.afewmaneuvers.com/_/afm-articles/add-some-bling-to-your-a-wing-r161

Hope you like it. As usual you can click on the pictures for bigger shots, just keep in mind that the model is 20mm long!

Time to reload,
Ica