Thank you very much, Roolz, that was extremely helpful. The point on ordering the dyed version is because I was mainly focusing on the the dyed S&F to deliver as a final product, without being painted so that could be ordered directly by the customer, who possibly would order several colors as for doing game factions, and would be ready for its use, but still, have an option myself to order some copies and paint one or more, just for having a top quality pic to show, for better marketing (always leaving very clear that'd be not the delivered finishing). Besides, also some gamers might want to paint their minis by themselves. Indeed, a lot do. I actually know about the low level of detail and porosity of the material,(but sincerely, thank you for warning me) but my idea was somehow going for a different style, non detailed, (is not easy to get a solid style this way, a convincing one to this target audience) or even, like is done in low poly models for 3D games (my job for many years), produce this low 3D detail base, and add this detail through very arduos painting, details can be simulated amazingly so, once received piece at my home. Not only would never compensate the hours against the cost which this specific product can have as a maximum (maybe between 7$ and 20$, as much), the main problem for me is all the shipping from my home towards the user, cost and reliability of the process instead of the convenience of leaving that all to Shapeways. So, it'd be a matter of forgetting about delivering a richly painted figure as a final product. A pity, I've got the skills for all that...
. And the multi color sandstone is also low detail for a mini (I have created a figure for a customer), colors might not become very intense, and is fragile imho for a miniature for gamers (but ok for deco objects). Still, one day it will be possible. I'm more interested in it as a hobby, being a bit sincere to my own self, lol. There are much better ways to make money.
You add several details of info I didn't have, which are precious to me. I did not know that even the polished and dyed version could have some powder, even if little... I care a lot about what is delivered to a customer (well, at least in my actual professional activity, which is not 3D printing, as anyone could guess
). IMHO, and I might be very wrong, in the idea of selling it as consumer product, for gamers directly, not as a piece for sending a prototype for another company to make a mold or something, frosted or any other needing a cleaning...not sure how many final users would be ok having to clean a miniature, I'm just not sure about that. Still, frosted ultra detail seems the thing to choose for miniature prototypes. Anyway, these are just perceptions I have, is all I can count on, for now... (and your great advice)
Thank you very much