3D printing 1/18 scale figures/accessories; what would you like to see?

[Evil Eye]

As you've probably noticed, I love 3D printing. I also love action figures and toys. I've become relatively experienced (competent, even!) at Blender, and having discovered the wonders of Resione Tough 74 resin, which is strong enough to make functional, durable joints from(!!!!) I've decided that going forward my rather aimless Cults3D page is going to be focusing not on the rather oversaturated market of miniatures, but the emerging domain of printable toys.

 

Anyway, whilst I won't be exclusively focusing on 40K, I will absolutely be doing some 1/18 scale companion pieces to JoyToy's awesome figure line. Only thing is, with my considerable ADHD and complete inability to stick to one idea, I'm not sure what faction to focus on first- though I have a few ideas. I'm currently torn between three factions as my primary focus (for now):

 

1: Firstborn Space Marines

Given that the majority of JT's Marine output is Primaris, I figured that some Firstborn figures would be quite welcome, and with some clever engineering they could even be cross-compatible with the official toys. I probably wouldn't do any Primaris figures- not because of my own biases (I actually really like the Primaris designs as toys, just not as minis) but rather because JoyToy already have that market cornered and I'd rather do something they're not.

One major plus is that, once I have a basic body down, it can theoretically be very easily adapted to make any kind of Marine. The only slight issue I can think of is that it might be more challenging to engineer in the first place, as Marines have a very distinct look, and dodgy bits can't easily be excused with gribble/scrap/mutations/whatever.

 

2: Tyranids

I know JoyToy has already put out some 'nids (I've got some coming in the post, even!) but Tyranids being an army characterized by large numbers means the infinite replicability of a printable figure would be ideal for them. Also Tyranids were my introduction to 40K and I have a lot of love for them, plus the organic nature of them means sculpting them will be slightly easier than the more hard-surface dependent factions (easy to cover up slight sculpting booboos with more gristly detail). Whilst I'd definitely want to make some critters JT hasn't tackled (I have an insane idea for a Carnifex once I get a bigger printer), for the basic Gaunts I'm thinking it might be an idea to base the designs on a modernized, up-detailed version of the previous generation of models rather than the current ones; this should make them distinct compared to the JT figures whilst still looking good next to them.

 

3: Eldar (both flavours)

JoyToy haven't tackled Eldar at all, and they're an iconic part of 40K with a great design language. Plus, with most of them being more or less humanoid in proportion and design, they'd actually be relatively easy to engineer. Of course, getting the aesthetics right would be a challenge as Jes Goodwin's vision for them is so defined. Dark Eldar would allow for a bit more creative freedom, so there's that? Also, in the case of things like the Wraithlord, the actual kit is already quite poseable so it wouldn't take much effort to design an articulated version.

 

Anyway, any input would be greatly appreciated!

[N1SB]

Ya, I was listening to you, and you described both Tyranid and Eldar.  And I was reminded of this:

 

 

Remember when Dawn of War III made Wraithbone look more organic?  It's utterly recognisable based on Jes Goodwin's design, yet it looks more alien at the same time.  I always thought that was a cool look, but it wouldn't work on a normal-sized 40k mini, those strands and imperfections are too small.  But on 1/18, it might be more meaningful.

 

Now, that's just Wraithbone armour in general, but if you consider something like an Aspect Warrior Exarch, who stayed on their Path so long they've constantly broken, repaired, customised their armour, that'll give you artistic license.  Or what about trophies, from encounters with other races...like their skulls, meshed with his Wraithbone?

 

Of course, you'll draw inspiration from many sources for these Space Elf Exalted Warriors, etc.  Unless you actually approach GW for a license, which I think they might be open to for this as long as there's no prior agreement with JoyToy, etc.  But I'm really thinking of details like Wraithbone which makes more sense in 1/18 than Heroic 28mm.

[Evil Eye]

Yes! I absolutely loved that look for Wraithbone. And you're absolutely right, it would definitely work at 1/18 scale. I might have to do that now...

[Domhnall]

I have a couple of the old forgeworld statues, and I love them for working on (and some non-40k larger figures). It was a shame they stopped doing them, but I can see getting larger scale statues 3D printed would be good shout. 
Considering a 9" statue 20 years ago was the same price as a horus Heresy Primarch is now, I'd be worried just how much Forge World would change anyway! 

[sbarnby71]

One of the biggest cash-bottomless-pits for me in 2024 was getting folks to upscale 3rd party bits to fit joytoy pieces (Primal Hounds has been my passion).  I've also toyed with the idea of getting some static complete pieces done as if I'm totally honest the articulation on joytoy pieces has become a double-edged sword and causes more hassle if the joints aren't super tight.

 

So I'm loving this idea, but do have a question more to do with cost and weight etc as a fully printed First Born would take up a lot of resin, unless it can be printed in some hollowed out way?

 

Also on the subject of Tyranids, I'd love some bits from them as decorations for SMs (heads, claws, etc).

Edited January 13 by sbarnby71
extra info

[Evil Eye]

6 hours ago, sbarnby71 said:

but do have a question more to do with cost and weight etc as a fully printed First Born would take up a lot of resin

It shouldn't take up too much resin, as the engineering would lend itself to some semi-hollow construction. They're still only 4" in height too, it's not like you're printing it in McFarlane scale.

 

Now, printing a Dreadnought to scale would be quite resin-hungry, but nobody would be insane enough to try doing that, right?

 

Whistles innocently

[ThePenitentOne]

My advice?

 

Don't ever do squat for marines. They are over saturated in every single medium in which they exist.

 

Videogames? Too many marines already.

Animations? Too many Marines already.

Books? Too many Marines already.

40k Models? Too many Marines already.

Other GW games in 40k scale? Too many that cater to Marines already.

Alternate scale games? Marines overrepresented there too.

Toys? Too many Marines already.

 

I know it's B&C. I know there are a lot of Marine fans here. But if we could go a full edition without Marines in any box set and no new Marines for the edition, the game might actually become more than Marines VS many flavours of NPC. Now I'll be the first to admit that this approach would also tank the company. If it was ever going to be done, they'd have needed to do it two decades ago, and since they didn't, the game now can't survive without every edition being 50% marine releases and 50% EVERYTHING else.

 

But there's no reason YOU have to continue to make GW's mistakes.

Edited January 13 by ThePenitentOne

[MARK0SIAN]

I think it’d be cool to see some of the famous characters represented this way. A Ciaphas Cain model for example would be really cool. You could even include some of the 30k characters.

[Grotsmasha]

This is a little left field, but what about 40k modelled/scenic bases with the foot pegs?

People are playing Kill Team with these