http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php Shapeways: Bring your creativity to life in 3D http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31626&th=5942#msg_31626
I am curious because I hate FUD but I want to print a few models with that kind of detail. Would also be nice to find a company that would do drop shipping for some special clients.

No one company will be perfect at everything so I would love to here your stories.]]> mctrivia 2011-07-26T23:50:32-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31629&th=5942#msg_31629 stonysmith 2011-07-27T01:33:25-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31630&th=5942#msg_31630 mctrivia 2011-07-27T01:42:13-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31631&th=5942#msg_31631
I am surprised they offered at half price?
Does that include shipping? Did you have to pay a monthly subscription?

Also have you tested the print quality? As they use a different 3D manufacturer to 3D print their equivalent to WSF the prints are not as finely detailed and the surface finish not as smooth, nor is it a crisp white.
]]> duann 2011-07-27T02:33:18-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31633&th=5942#msg_31633 mctrivia 2011-07-27T02:55:02-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31673&th=5942#msg_31673

significantly lower prices on certain models & materials (30-50% and more)

better color match & finish on color (no ugly yellow wax)

pretty flexible on minimum wall (have printed steel and color items with 1.5 mm wall thicknesses)

working feedback loop when a design is difficult to produce (no "your order has been cancelled"... !!)

ship to any customer address


con:

• significantly higher prices on other models & materials
  
• complex pricing, not easy to comprehend/predict (no simple $/cm3 scheme, need to check each model)
  
• free shipping only starts at 99$/€
  
• somewhat slower on order processing & deliveries
  
• no on-site gallery/shopping (can also be seen as a pro!)
  

Take a look at their new "Prime Gray" STL material, it may be something for you. I would believe they are not too strict on the 1mm wall. It appears to be cheap, too.



]]> kontor_apart 2011-07-27T20:27:27-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31683&th=5942#msg_31683
as a comparison I uploaded D6 Grid Die 14-2

Polymide was E26.6
Stainless was E25 (shapeways won't print this in steel and my guess is they won't either)
Prime Grey was E2.36

I am not sure on the conversion but I sell my models for less then these prices. Shapeways does seem to be the winner in price range other then ponoko and they don't seem to have the quality.

In fact in my research the only place it looks like that competition could be is I could buy a wax printer with 19um accuracy for a reasonable price and make wax casts for those here interested in doing there own casting.]]> mctrivia 2011-07-28T02:26:20-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31685&th=5942#msg_31685 ]]> jzichek 2011-07-28T03:35:38-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31686&th=5942#msg_31686 mctrivia 2011-07-28T03:42:36-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31687&th=5942#msg_31687
Shapeways offers no SLA tech currently. The similar materials are Polyamide (WSF, etc), Alumide, Multicolor (Sandstone), High detail resin (machines like White Detail, etc here but probably not the same exact resin), ABS (Grey robust), Silver and Stainless steel.]]> stannum 2011-07-28T04:32:50-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31688&th=5942#msg_31688 Mitchell Jetten 2011-07-28T06:05:20-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31691&th=5942#msg_31691 fx 2011-07-28T06:10:21-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31692&th=5942#msg_31692
Greetings from the person that is traveling already for 1.5hours to the office]]> Mitchell Jetten 2011-07-28T06:20:08-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31700&th=5942#msg_31700

Frog by i.materialise, on Flickr]]> phildlight 2011-07-28T10:15:36-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31702&th=5942#msg_31702
Let us know if this is the sort of material you are interested in?

Slight variations on what is already available?

Or would you prefer something totally different?

]]> duann 2011-07-28T10:26:56-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31707&th=5942#msg_31707
I don't know how you would go about allowing users to assign the different materials to the different objects in the build but being able to offer multiple materials in a single build would be attractive to a lot of people I would think.

for example:

]]> phildlight 2011-07-28T10:42:04-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31708&th=5942#msg_31708
We do not currently offer multi-material, as you mentioned the specification would be quite complex with the current file types.

Perhaps once AMF is adopted as a file option this would be easier to implement?

It is VERY cool technology.

]]> duann 2011-07-28T10:57:34-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31709&th=5942#msg_31709
The imaterialise gray is the Somos Protogen material no?]]> phildlight 2011-07-28T11:03:25-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31710&th=5942#msg_31710
black 01.stl
red 01.stl
white01.stl


most cad software has the ability to make a model out of multiple files. And for models that already exist you can do boolions on a final product to take chunks out of the model to create the seperate parts.]]> mctrivia 2011-07-28T11:05:44-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31721&th=5942#msg_31721
Even when AMF is adopted we will still need the Objet machines to carry more than two materials, or else a separate machine would be needed for every combination to avoid the time, labor and waste involved in a material cartridge change. Why are they using those little cartridges, anyway?

There's a lot of work to be done, but man that action figure looks cool.

]]> aeron203 2011-07-28T15:23:06-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31722&th=5942#msg_31722 Grrr. Blender 2.49... Bad Booleans! Bad, Bad Booleans!

Go to your room.

All I materialize materials are SLA. which means NO INTERLOCKS! that's my big reason for staying away...

That Prime Grey Is gorgeous, but that's gotta be enhanced by attentive nesting by the planner... poor rotation placement would REALLY ruin a print if you're relying on those smooth surfaces.]]> LeftySpinhand 2011-07-28T15:29:27-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31723&th=5942#msg_31723 - Objet used and defined the phrase "Digital Material" Liberally enough to make me comfortable with the context, but that's IMHO.

Oh, and the cartridge method is an artifact from the IBM XEROX days of business. It's more about generating a sustaining income from a large "one-time" sale.

The cartridge system means : proprietary material delivery
plus
modular design for "families" of products i.e. connex, eden, etc
plus
customer extension thru reorded.

It's old and predatory, but unfortunately it works in the american business enviroment, so it'll be tough to beat.]]> LeftySpinhand 2011-07-28T15:37:44-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31724&th=5942#msg_31724 http://www.printo3d.com/]]> Youknowwho4eva 2011-07-28T15:44:37-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31728&th=5942#msg_31728 Youknowwho4eva wrote on Thu, 28 July 2011 15:44
Because of the FUD delay, I had to find an alternative source recently. There's a guy in PA that has helped us with every rush order lately. Small and personal business, unlike the other ones where you send them your files and wait hoping they got them and will come back with a quote. I usually chat with him on google chat, when I'm about to order, when I send him the files to be sure he can use them, and when they are shipping/shipped to see when I'm getting them. And the prices aren't terrible, still 2-5 times for the items I needed. http://www.printo3d.com/


What machine(s?) are they using/offer? I'm in PA too but on the other side of the box.]]> phildlight 2011-07-28T16:02:21-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31733&th=5942#msg_31733 phildlight wrote on Thu, 28 July 2011 16:02


What machine(s?) are they using/offer? I'm in PA too but on the other side of the box.


He uses Dimension printers on site, and outsources many other materials.]]> Youknowwho4eva 2011-07-28T16:47:40-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31748&th=5942#msg_31748 AlanHudson 2011-07-28T19:43:33-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31749&th=5942#msg_31749 .]]> Youknowwho4eva 2011-07-28T19:49:12-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31755&th=5942#msg_31755
YESSSSSSSSSSSS.


]]> duann 2011-07-28T21:36:40-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31757&th=5942#msg_31757
You could reuse a triangle based format and its material definition. Ie basically provide a mapping from 3D visual material to physical material. If the material is RED use rubber, if BLUE use metal etc.

Or you could just add a new PhysicalMaterial node to X3D/VRML/STL etc that would give the material. Still would need to separate out each shell into separate materials but at least it wouldn't be different files.]]> AlanHudson 2011-07-28T21:52:10-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31758&th=5942#msg_31758 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Additive_Manufacturing_File_For mat]]> phildlight 2011-07-28T22:04:10-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31761&th=5942#msg_31761
There are a few things I don't like about it:

The addition of the curved triangles makes it much harder to implement. Its a feature I haven't seen in any other fileformats and feel unnecessary. Having to implement that will slow its adoption.

Having textures being only inline instead of being able to reference an external file/url is annoying. Basically we'd have to convert all textures provided with the content into this bloated form. Why not just use .zip packaging with local references.

Formulas are kinda cool pixel/vertex shader type functionality. But again its overly complex for what I feel is needed. If shaders are desired why not use a standard already like GLSL that it accelerated by 3D hardware for viewing. As it stands if this language doesn't map well to shader operations in both OpenGL and DirectX then it won't render well at all for 3D viewers.

If those features where removed or profiled to a higher support level then I could see implementing it.]]> AlanHudson 2011-07-28T22:22:50-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31763&th=5942#msg_31763 psychofox 2011-07-28T22:51:58-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31783&th=5942#msg_31783
For the future of 3d on the web, something like curved triangles seems very important as well: unless bandwidth increases by large amounts, sitting through download of a 3d file is going to be an annoyance for anyone viewing 3d on the web. With curved triangles, the file sizes can be much much smaller.]]> henryseg 2011-07-29T07:25:32-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31802&th=5942#msg_31802
I expect that we can get triangle counts up reasonably quickly. Or we may goto a voxel(3D pixel) format. As we get closer to one triangle per voxel it will be cheaper to just deal with voxels.

How many triangles are your models coming out right now and what modeling package do you use?]]> AlanHudson 2011-07-29T16:12:04-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31810&th=5942#msg_31810 mctrivia 2011-07-29T19:03:55-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31817&th=5942#msg_31817 AlanHudson 2011-07-29T19:40:20-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31819&th=5942#msg_31819 mctrivia 2011-07-29T19:58:01-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31820&th=5942#msg_31820
We do the same operation, we index the incoming STL to reduce memory and processing time. ]]> AlanHudson 2011-07-29T20:13:04-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=31844&th=5942#msg_31844
Specifically, my most recent co-creator idea would be something like http://shpws.me/2LqA - but at the moment Silver is a bit overkill for a vanity house key.

Oh well, the technology is improving every day. We'll get there soon enough!]]> 7777773 2011-07-30T05:25:53-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=32788&th=5942#msg_32788


Very happy with it, for the models I want it seems an ideal material, I hope Shapeways consider something similar. ]]> reddevil7777 2011-08-16T08:27:49-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=52819&th=5942#msg_52819
- looks very smooth
- the grey is a very helpfull color (at least for my items)
- in macro you see the steps but in reality only from a very very short distance

On the picture it looks the first time like a material which can be used without further coloring.



Link to larger view:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34336019@N07/7765540768/sizes/l /in/photostream/

The steps are to 98% only visible in this macro view.

(The black detailed material always has the problem that you see some small white corns on it, which are very visible on each photo)

Woody64
]]> woody64 2012-08-19T09:10:35-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=52820&th=5942#msg_52820
There has been nothing since.

Any word from Shapeways if they are seriously considering this very useful material, or should we go elsewhere?]]> Bunrattypark 2012-08-19T09:24:05-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=52821&th=5942#msg_52821 Also the look on photos and the look in reality is very convincing.
Woody64]]> woody64 2012-08-19T09:42:59-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=66236&th=5942#msg_66236
The color itself isn't much of an issue but the surface finish and strength feels very nice (and so does the price).

Only WSF seems to be relatively strong and flexible as the name says but the surface is rather rough, even when polished. FUD is nice but too brittle.

Something that feels more 'toyetic', closer to standard plastic toy quality (like prime gray) would be really awesome.

]]> Strangefate 2013-04-17T02:51:27-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=66398&th=5942#msg_66398 PeregrineStudios 2013-04-19T03:11:50-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=66446&th=5942#msg_66446 really do I want to do that with every material, AND have to make sure I don't forget minimum fees, etc.... This is something that I would love to see Shapeways address.

]]> lensman 2013-04-19T16:19:35-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=66491&th=5942#msg_66491
To come back to the materials issue... WSF has some great properties but is so 'rapid prototype' era, I think I'm personally ready for something with a decent finish that doesn't break if I look at it for too long.

Other than that, I do love shapeways, they seem like an overall friendlier folk and their website is easy to navigate.
]]> Strangefate 2013-04-20T01:50:03-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=66492&th=5942#msg_66492 ]]> lensman 2013-04-20T03:04:14-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=67127&th=5942#msg_67127
here is a sample image of a silver print i had done, needed for quick turnaround, the height of the band is 2.5 mm.

]]> leorolph 2013-04-30T10:43:01-00:00