ZBrushCentral

question about resolution for 3D Printing

Community
#1

Hello everyone, I am working on a figure that I am sculpting in pieces that will be assembled into an action figure after printing.

My experience has been limited to the game engines, so I do not know what resolution the files should be for detailed 3D printing. The resolution would similar to what Shapeways would offer for highest level of detail. I believe that is 300 microns?

So its a polygon question essentially.
Thank you for all your help and these are 6" standard articulated figures. (similar to marvel legends)
Todd

#2

Hi Todd,

I’ve been printing stuff via shapeways and other methods for years, and I always just make a high rez object then decimate it to make sure that it is under 500,000 polys. Shapeways used to not take objects larger than that, although they may have changed that recently.

At 200K and up I’ve never seen any sing of polygons one my models. Keep in mind I mostly make jewelry and figures under 5 inches tall. So your results may differ.

Lincoln

#3

thanks for getting back to me Lincoln, I will be sure to check with them to see what there limitation are. take care!

#4

It will vary based on what you’re printing on and/or what printing service.

I usually decimate between 250k-1mil points depending on the size of the part. Most of my parts are about 60mm-150mm.

#5

Thanks for getting back to me MetalFrog, do you have any photos of showing what your prints come out like? And if you don’t mind me asking, what printing source are you using?

Thanks,
Todd

#6

Lincoln,
I just took a look at your printed pieces…awesome! I love the glow cat, fantastic sculpt and nice clean print.

#7

Due to the nature of my work and a Non-Disclosure I can’t post any photos or screenshots of my work or prints. We do have some sample prints but they’re more mechanical and straight edged and don’t really show off the detail our printers are capable of. I’d like to eventually print some personal work but haven’t had the time to really do it yet.

As for the printing source we do all of ours in-house. We run an Objet Eden 350V and a 3D Systems 3500 HDMax. These are both high-end printers. They print in 16 micron layers horizontal (Z) and 32 on the X and Y.

Even though I have had no problems sending files with 1 mil points to these printers a printing service may limit files for other reasons, server space, bandwidth, etc…

Anyone that is interested can PM me and I can do prints for people, but it’s not cheap.