Step 6: 3D Printing
I printed the model using Shapeways, using a surprisingly inexpensive full colour material called "Full Color Sandstone". Larger models will be more expensive, but my model cost $16.89, and I've had other small models printed for less than $10. I used two texture maps, one for the lego part, and one for the sandstone wall part. Different material id numbers denote different textures, so I ensured that the sandstone parts of the mesh were set to id #1, and the lego parts set to id #2. If you're just using one texture then set all the faces to id #1, otherwise you may find that your texture map isn't showing up on the mesh.
I saved the texture maps as a .png files, and exported the object as an .X3D from 3dsmax, which required a plugin. I created a zip file containing the mesh and the texture bitmap, and uploaded it on the shapeways website. It's important to check that the scale is correct, 3d applications handle units in different ways,so some double checking, trial and error, and re-scaling may be necessary to get the correct results. I found that I had to scale my models by 39.37%, (the ratio difference between cm and inches).
Prints in the "full color sandstone material" will have a slightly grainy surface, so going over the print with very fine sandpaper can help. I also gave the 3d prints a thin coat of superglue and matte varnish, to help bring out the colour, as well as seal and protect the surface.
I saved the texture maps as a .png files, and exported the object as an .X3D from 3dsmax, which required a plugin. I created a zip file containing the mesh and the texture bitmap, and uploaded it on the shapeways website. It's important to check that the scale is correct, 3d applications handle units in different ways,so some double checking, trial and error, and re-scaling may be necessary to get the correct results. I found that I had to scale my models by 39.37%, (the ratio difference between cm and inches).
Prints in the "full color sandstone material" will have a slightly grainy surface, so going over the print with very fine sandpaper can help. I also gave the 3d prints a thin coat of superglue and matte varnish, to help bring out the colour, as well as seal and protect the surface.
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If you don't mind me asking, you mention that you gave the printed pieces a sand with some very fine paper and then gave it a coat of thin superglue before then giving it some matte.
Why did you give it a superglue layer before the varnish (would the varnish have not sufficed on it's own)?
Did you just use regular superglue from a tube and then use a brush or did you thin it with something?
Really appreciate any input you have, and again, really awesome work.
This is so creative man, I love it!