My first attempt at printing my models ended up pretty nice! Software that I used was Softimage XSI and Zbrush.

The parts just arrived yesterday and I've been really happy with the results! I haven't found any flaws or printing errors. The detail level I made for it seems to be spot on, and everything printed out nice and sharp.

I made these parts for my Hyperion Mustang P-51D radio controlled plane, which I'm building at the moment. It's a pretty decent sized electric plane, with 1.2 meter wingspan, balsa wings and fiberglass fuselage. The kit is pretty awesome as is, but I thought it really needed some detail, especially inside the cockpit, which was bare without any detail. The scale of the plane and these parts is approximately 1/9. The sight has grooves so I can place a piece of transparent plastic as sight's lens.

And because these are for an actually flying aircraft, the weight is quite light, as I modelled them to be hollow. The pilot weights 18.4 grams, pilot's backseat with radio batteries weights 14.6 grams and instrument panel with combat sight weights only 5.3 grams. So the weight shouldn't be an issue.

I'll make these parts available pretty soon.

Next I'm going to paint these parts with Vallejo acrylics. I'll update when there's more progress.

Thumbs up for Shapeways!

[Updated on: Wed, 27 October 2010 05:54 UTC]

Thanks! I'm quite overwhelmed...

To answer the questions: The pilot has the most of the polys, total of 103K triangles. The cockpit parts have only 16,5K. With the pilot, in some place there could be less polys and in couple of places I might smooth out a little more, but otherwise seems more than enough for it's smooth curves.

I'll definitely keep you posted. I'm planning to start the paintjob during the following weekend. And I think I'll do couple of very little tweaks and then I'll make these models available for everyone.

[Updated on: Wed, 27 October 2010 20:41 UTC]

I'm happy to tell you that my Shapeways Shop has just been activated.

And surprise, surprise... My first and definitely not the last objects available from my shop are my pilot and cockpit accessories! The pilot is a separate piece, if you want only him and not the RC model related extras.

I've just airbrushed the pilot and parts with grey primer and sanded them couple of times to smoothen out the surfaces a little bit. Next phase is painting primary colors, after that the shading. Painting the huge plane has taken most of my time, though... I've painted it too with grey primer, then metallic paint and after that the olive drab anti-glare panel, d-day stripes and 20th Fighter Group's nose markings. My next phase with the plane is the actual unit markings and the weathering effects.

[Updated on: Mon, 01 November 2010 17:18 UTC]

[Updated on: Wed, 08 December 2010 09:59 UTC]

Thanks!

I suppose the size I'm working on is on the "sweet spot" for 3d printing, as the roughness is not so apparent and the prices of the objects stay decent. Also for parts used in RC planes the WSF detail is more than enough, as viewing distances typically are not as close as with many other types of objects. And when they are made hollow it also keeps the weight (as well as the price) down.

I've just modelled another pilot model, based on Belushi's Wild Bill Kelso character from the movie 1941. I'm going to make him sit inside my RC Parkzone F4U Corsair. (I know a P-40 warhawk would be more appropriate.) Also cockpit kit for the same plane is in the works.

PS. Cute little planes you have there!

[Updated on: Wed, 29 December 2010 11:24 UTC]