New way of customizing

[PNGwynne]

Yes, better. :-)

I don't know what was worse in the past: Thinking you would never receive your order, or receiving it a year later and opening a box of pin-heads.

[EMCE Hammer]

I can't wait for that Food Replicator on Star Trek Comes Out .....
OutBack Steak House Every Night at BK's House.

I was thinking McRibs

[noelani72]

ouch - reading some of the comments here almost makes me want to ask for it to be deleted.

One comment in particular bothers me - and by god, I am an artist; an artist who's messed with everything from water colors, oils, charcoal, silicone, resin, computers and now pushing the envelope with new technology.

Maybe I am missing something here - but it's not like the original post of the Hulk head video is something we're selling or anything...it was just the first thing grabbed out of the box to play with the machine as it was unpacked.
Using a digital medium such as this scanner will open doors - and once I get software, I can build new items and have files ready for a 3D printer.
Right now, the scanner is really no different than a bottle of silicone - it just copies.
Where it goes beyond that is with further software - then something can be created.
Instead of a box of various arms, legs, and heads, we now have a virtual library of parts (facial structures, hair styles,etc..) that can be widely shared, mixed and whatnot.
The day will come for hobbyists where we can merely email each other a file, and print out that part for our model, figure, or whatever.

Just think of things like Knight helmets. A helmet can be designed in 3D software, then printed in 3D plastic. Dunno bout any of you, but I don't dig squish molds. It works for some, and I applaud that.

To answer a question about incremental fabrication; yes - there will be some texture, but we are getting down to microns at this level. A little minor sanding and the part can either be painted or cast.

I'd hoped this new technology would have spurred some ideas with folks and be viewed as a great resource for the community here, and I have that door open - but please, lets not insult my artistic integrity nor the artistic integrity of the original poster who happens to be my son.
I could use the same argument that anyone can use/learn computers to create vs a box of clay....some people just gravitate towards mediums of their choice.

[pmwasson]

Wow, that looks great. PM sent!

I can't wait for the day when you can go to the custom forum and hit print!

[BlackKnight]

I think your making Comments in this Thread Personal , where they were Comments meant Directed at this new "Art" . I Do Understand the Need to Protect your Investment ..., As do Obviously Some of the Peoples need to do the Same Thing in thier Comments. Because Lets Face The Facts Here ...., anyone that Purchases Such Machinary in this Hobby, is Obviously Drawing a Shorter Line to Profit Intake , and Kuddo's Involved to Anyone Taking those Advancements. Your Individual Status as an Artist was Not In Question and really is an Unfair Direction of this Topic.

A Simple Debate about the Direction of a Possible Future with a Couple Disagreements is a Serious Advancement compaired to Flatt Discussions of Yester Year.

But With All that Aside ,
I doubt This is The Majority Direction For This Hobby.
Since Day 1 ..., There has only Been 2 Forces That Carry Mego Customizing Consistantly .
Dr. Mego and Brian Leitner. Everything Else Changes...., The Players, The Sellers, The Buyers, Product, Technology , But Not Those 2.

[EMCE Hammer]

Since Day 1 ..., There has only Been 2 Forces That Carry Mego Customizing Consistantly .
Dr. Mego and Brian Leitner. Everything Else Changes...., The Players, The Sellers, The Buyers, Product, Technology , But Not Those 2.

They are immortals from the clan McMego, but there can be only one..........

Butthurt ego issues aside, this is just another tool. Some people still get a kick out of sawing down trees by hand and hewing them into logs for cabins. Some guys use a hammer; some a nail gun. Dave McCormick uses a needle and thread; Theressa Chapko uses a machine. It's just the latest old school vs. new school.

When someone gets good enough with one of these to fake a GWS, I'll be concerned. Otherwise, it doesn't make a bit of difference to me if Sean Samson sculpts a Brick head with clay and a pick, or if Sean Gordy spits one out of his magic printer. The head will still need painted, and the figure will still be butt naked until someone sews some clothes. After all that, I'll still need to find some monks to make backer cards.

I never wanted to be a sculptor, and I totally disagree that just anyone can develop the skill with hard work and practice. The same goes for painting, sewing, creating card art etc. I think that whole rationale is flawed and is more dismissive of artists and their talents than anything I've seen so far in this thread. I want to make cool figures, and if I can get an idea out of my head and into 3D with the help of a printer jockey it won't diminish my satisfaction in the least.

[thunderbolt]

THe point I was trying to make is that the tool is only as good as the artist that uses it. This 3D scanner thing would be useless in the hands of someone with no artistic sense or skill.

[EMCE Hammer]

THe point I was trying to make is that the tool is only as good as the artist that uses it. This 3D scanner thing would be useless in the hands of someone with no artistic sense or skill.

Not disagreeing with you at all. My point is that the presence of this newish technology in the process doesn't take the 'art' out of doll making.

[thunderbolt]

I don't think it does either, it will just be a novelty until its affordable to the masses. I think it takes some of the fun out of the process, tho. Its a challenge to learn some of the skills it takes to actually make a figure as opposed to getting someone to sew a suit for you, paint a head for you, and make a box for you. I personally don't want to learn to machine sew because it will only speed up the process and make it less rewrding to me.

[Chris]

It's a machine that could get us closer to a 1:9 scale Batmobile and custom heads.

[David Lee]

It's funny, that these arguments still pop up... I have been out of customizing for awhile, but it's always that same argument when something new comes along.... This is the NEW THING and will REPLACE all others!

I know first hand as good as anyone, I was the first to contact Industrial Polymers and enlarge and shrink a head (10 years ago!), the first to print cloth emblems, first to silkscreen a suit, the first to carry over 150 different resin heads for sale ( not sure who's offered more except Austin who bought my molds), I designed and manufactured the first MEGO clamshell packaging. I have produced things in my basement and in CHINA... I don't say this to toot my own horn, but to say "who cares"... if it's available and affordable and makes the hobby better, that's all that matters. I am not "butt hurt" because I don't credit nor do I think I deserve it, I did what I did for the hobby and to MAKE MONEY! So I say if you can fill a niche and promote the hobby whth any new or old process more power to ya...

Dave

[EMCE Hammer]

And you're still my favorite Asian.

[ddgaff1132]

Just a point to make here. This is a new version of old tech. Toy makers have been using a not too different technique for the past decades. I found this out when I met Al Simmons of the Todd McFarland gang. The original Spawn figures were originaly sculpted 10 inchs or bigger. They were then scanned digitally and shrunk. This data was entered into a machine that literally drilled the eccess bits from a block of Lucite (or other simular material) to make a master that could be molded and reproduced. Many toy companies use this process. Sculpt big and shrink it down digitally. Now think of this. Maybe some people can sculpt. They just cannot do it in Mego scale. Maybe they have poor vision or hands that are not suited for working tiny. Well, with this new technology; now they too can add their creativity to the Mego arena. Thank you for your time.