Kicking off a new series, articles like this will focus either on a 3D printing vendor's menu or a single material that we will pick apart and analyze to its dark depths, so you can make the best decision on what to use in your next project!
Convention's are always in season, and with New York Comic Con just around the corner, you may have been inspired to hop on the cosplay train.
3D printing cosplay is a great project for those of you either looking for a fresh new challenge, or if you are just starting out, since the processes of printing and modeling are so scalable and versatile.
Before getting started though on your 3D Printed Journey, be sure to review your event's weapons policy and make sure that your creation fits within any size, material, and/or safety regulations. Use the same discretion and sense of context (as we mentioned in our last CCC post) when choosing printed materials. Make sure to review the MSDS, Food Safe policies, and other disclaimers on materials you plan to use.
And with that, let's dig in!
FUD/FXD has many elements that could make it a cosplayer's dream: the clear, smooth surface is easy to paint, its lightweight nature makes it more practical from a wearable point of view, and its lower price point means you can print more pieces to test on or iterate design. In regards to detail, the name speaks for itself; the strikingly high resolution is unique to other materials, even down to half a pea-size.
Another huge plus to using this material is the dedicated community surrounding it; primarily used by model train and miniature artists, there is a vast amount of content centered around finishing and post production at a truly masterful, borderline perfection sort of way (Check out the Shapeways Forum for the material). Its power really lies in being a precision material, so if you are looking to replicate something exactly, FUD/FXD may be a good fit.
Sarah earrings, printed in Frosted Extreme Detail, painted with spray paint
However, the extremely disappointing con to using this material is the maximum bounding box dimensions, or the maximum size object you can print. For FUD, it is a mere 11X 7 X 8 inches and FXD, even smaller at 2 X 2 X 8 inches, which cuts down on what you can use it for.
But for those special, smaller pieces that really need to make a statement, this material can pack a punch. As mentioned before, its level of detail makes it great for replicas and pertinent, complex details. It can also be used as an alternative for jewelry pieces if metal and steel are not in your budget, since it is easy to paint. If you are working with LEDs or other lighting in you cosplay, FUD/FXD's semi transparent material can be used in its raw form as orbs, pendants, or other pieces that need light to pass through them-just make sure your light does not burn too hot, for this material will warp by heat!
In a Nutshell:
Best for: Filigree, keychains, jewelry, small replicas,
Examples: Cersei's pendant, Final Fantasy VII Materia, Elsa's hairpins
Resolution: High to Extreme
Pros: Easy to paint, can print more delicate parts, large community of users
Cons: Orientation not guaranteed, small bounding box, mild skin irritant, dries and becomes flaky quickly, brittle
Shapeways' video on this material, featuring two familiar faces ;)
Shapeways' most popular material, the Strong and Flexible family provides cosplayers with a great base for larger scale pieces in a crisp rainbow of shades. With a print platform of 25 X 13.7 X 21.6 inches, scale is fairly limitless, and combined with its lightweight nature that exhibits a bit of flex, SF is a great option for those larger armor pieces. Wearables like crowns and hair clips are also perfect for this due to that flex. SF also comes in both a polished and unpolished finish, so if you are looking for something more streamlined or something with a hint of texture, you have options. The dyed colors are bright but flat, making them great bases for further finishing/weathering, or for those more cartoon-like interpretations.
Going with color though brings up some potential issues: the dying process only penetrates the material to a certain thickness, meaning that the under layers of your model are still white. With that, be careful if you are sanding or carving into those materials, for if you cut too deep you will hit a white core. The dyed SF is also only available in polished, meaning you will have to dye the pieces on your own if you are looking for a different surface quality. And although that sounds like a ton of work, SF is widely known to be easily dye-able (the popular recommendation is RIT dye, accessible, safe and inexpensive).
Prototype for a Bridal Comb Sarah made in Strong and Flexible Plastic; Check out the finished (metal and SF) product here!
On the subject of finishing, it is important to be mindful SF's porousness, which is great for dyeing, but may not be ideal for hand painting or spray painting without a bit of prep beforehand to prevent feathering. bunching, or unevenness. Fine details as well may also get washed out by the texture of the material, so model with design and material intent. Also, we would not recommend direct to skin contact with SF, for its sandy film can be irritating to your dermis; instead, either line the piece with a fabric, or wear an undergarment as a barrier.
With all that said, if you are making body armor, staffs, and other grander scale pieces that require a practicality and streamlined surface, SF is the perfect base, and with the right finishing, can become elevated. A fun tip to add more visual interest: print your larger pieces in SF, then insert or add atop of that base other filigree printed in other materials, like steel or even PLA.
In a Nutshell:
Best For: Armor, headbands, bracelets and bracers, masks
Cosplay Examples: Lightning Returns' shield, Opal's Bow/ Arms, Princess Zelda's crown
Resolution: Medium to High
Pros: easy to dye, lightweight, durable, slightly flexible, larger print platform, smooth surfaces
Cons: Orientation not guaranteed, texture, mild skin irritant, painting can be hit or miss if not properly prepped
Shapeways' video on Strong and Flexible Plastic
From nickel to gold to platinum, Shapeways has a large pool of options for steel and metals . This variety gives cosplayers a number of looks to choose from. With a maximum bounding box of roughly four inches, exceptionally large pieces are out, but for those pertinent jewelry-sized replicas, you can't really beat this.
The most important aspect of 3D printed metals to be mindful of when modeling is their shrinkage rates; as the materials heat and cool throughout their creation, they will change in size. Shapeways does have those tolerances listed on the material description pages, so make sure to model with these in mind, especially if they are being worn or inset into other pieces.
Obviously some of Shapeways most expensive offerings, these materials are best suited for those special, meaningful elements, but could also beautifully elevate armor, crowns, and weapons as insets or decorative flourishes.
In a Nutshell:
Best for: hardware, jewelry, decorative inserts/small details
Resolution: Medium to High
Examples: Star Trek insignia, Power Ranger Power Coins, Sailor Moon jewelry,
Pros: Durable, weighty, "real thing"
Cons: Be aware of skin allergies, more expensive, striations and dithering in steel, requires maintenance (precious metal and plated metals)
Full Colored Sandstone is a beautiful material; its textural finish combined with the printer's 255 color capability makes it a great choice for pieces that need to have a "handmade" look to them or a less industrial finish that plastic can generate. Full color sandstone can even be made watertight if coated with resin afterwords; this process also gives the material a nice surface finish.
In general, we would recommend this material for those who need to print large, complex and full color pieces, which is why Dhemerae chose it for her Princess Mononoke mask. Masks in general tend to have a handmade look to them, which is why they're so great when printed in this material. Sandstone would also be great for carvings and engravings on hilts for and even headpieces. Sandstone is also very affordable compared to some of the materials.
Full Colored Sandstone print of a skull 3D scan!
Keep in mind though, this material is quite brittle. Among the more delicate of 3D printed materials, Sandstone will shatter if dropped, bleach if touched by water, and alter color under certain lighting conditions (i.e. if it is left out the sun or under a UV light, the color will change). However, all Sandstone prints are treated with a Cyanoacrylate bath to bring out the color and make the print more durable. Nonetheless, you still want to treat these prints with some extra TLC.
Regarding color, flat, primary colors will print most accurately to what you see on the computer, but be aware that you will most likely not have a perfect color match. If you are printing with a flesh or red toned palette, we recommend doing color tests, since these tones are the most difficult for the printer to execute.
Full Colored Sandstone is still a great material for cosplay if utilized strategically and handled particularly. For those focal point pieces and elements that will be the center of attention but not necessarily the center of the action, this material will shine, and has the potential to elevate your cosplays in a unique way.
In a Nutshell:
Best For: small props/familiars, masks, pendants
Examples: Link's Ocarina, Tobi's Mask, Spirited Away bath tokens
Resolution: Low to Medium
Pros: Look and texture, prints directly in color, potentially less finishing (depending)
Cons: UV sensitive, color bleaching upon water contact, brittle
Shapeways' video on Full Colored Sandstone featuring Ryan Kittleston
But wait, There's More!
Stay Tuned for Part II, where we talk more materials, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!