I have seen the future of customizing...

[Cadmus Customs]

...and it is good!

If you want to see where the customizing hobby (probably even Mego) is headed in 10-20 years, look no further:

Get comfy, pop some popcorn and enjoy the shows!

The amazing 3-D printer. If you're industrious enough, it can be built from a kit for a few thousand, lol. (price expected to lower)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wTydnYmDrM

To print these things, one must know 3-D mesh programming, which looks like its getting easier, too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsFj1...p?topic=3335.0

Some 3-D printed objects with commentary.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdzoo...eature=related

Some more 3-D printed items. Look at the Marvel Apocalypse-looking figure! (I'm sure it's *just* different enough to avoid litigation!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-K48...eature=related

Need a knee pin? Print one!
Need another type 2 body? Print one! (part by part, lol)
Need a pirate boot? Print one!
Want a custom head of WHOEVER you want? Well, you know...

Just thought it was cool and some of you would enjoy.
Joel

[Hotfoot]

Interesting technology.

Early version of the Trek Replicator!

[ddgaff1132]

Its just another step on the road that started with the Sears Robuck catalog and ends with the replicator.

[SUP-Ronin]

I agree with Type3. Pretty interesting machine, I immediately thought it looked like a cross between a replicator and a CNC machine. I don't think it would be fun to have a machine just spit out a custom for me. Maybe if it can make gold coins or jems or something.

[jessica]

It's cool but it takes the fun out of it for me. I like the challenge and the moment of triumph when a figment of the imagination becomes a reality through ingenuity.

[Cadmus Customs]

It's cool but it takes the fun out of it for me. I like the challenge and the moment of triumph when a figment of the imagination becomes a reality through ingenuity.

Perhaps. But the vast majority of people aren't as skilled as the people who post here. Able-bodied customizers can still do their thing (of course) but they'll have to step it up a notch (and that's not a bad thing).

Look at all the head shrink/enlarging requests & customs. That's a pretty time-intensive process (I know, I've tried it!). Someday all that legwork won't have to be done by so very few. Very cool in my book...

And it's still ingenuity...just not necessarily all your own!

Joel

[GreenLantern9999]

Also you would still have to design the 3D mesh model if you want something new right?

[Cosmicman]

Oh..I thought by reading the title it was a thread about Jason (Blacknight).

[jemboy2004]

I don't believe it. I'd have to see this in person before I'd believe a printer can do that. I'd love to re-do some 12" mego female bodies if it could do that. It would same them all from melting!

[CrimsonGhost]

I've been researching this technology for work since last year and the application to custom figures was not wasted on me!

The possibilities of this are seemingly endless. Using a 3D printer along with a 3D scanner could really create some cool stuff. Scan a head from any other toy (or real person) and size it in your 3D software and print it out Mego scale or 1:6 or 3 3/4 and print it out! Build a head in 3D from photos and create any celebrity head you can think of. Need slightly longer limbs for a taller figure? Stretch them out in 3D and print. It's really some amazing stuff.

I won't comment as to weather or not it takes the "art" out of it. Is an oil painting more "art" than a digital painting? I don't know, but as far as I'm concerned, you still need to be artistic to create no matter if it's in clay or 3D or oils or pixels. This won't make a non-artist into an artist.

I love it, it just needs to be more affordable to the average consumer.