"the business of 3D files" Topic

I have started to trade messages with some of the bigger makes of 3D files on various subjects. What I find of great interest is that they often do work for each other- some seem to be better at doing vehicles or weapons, while some do the basic figure sculpts, while others take those basic designs and do all the posing and change heads, arms, weapons, etc., others do the supports. And then again some people do everything themselves.

I know there are a few big fronts for selling the files, and it seems some of the folks are not too happy with the services and how much they charge. This may be why so many are turning to kickstarters- Plus it means they 'sell' a big batch of items all in one go, instead of a few small sales every so often.

And then apparently there are folks who offer to print your files for a fee- then those files end up on a pirate board where they are sold for a discounted price, or you pay a fee and get them all for free. Some stolen files even show on Etsy, where I am told Etsy doesn't really care to do much about it.

I suppose 'as a business' the field is still in it's infancy. I wonder what is going to happen when every single version of a German tank has been made? Will they just make them better? or Start working their way down to some really obscure things.?

I've been producing STLs for a while now, mostly niche and obscure subjects such as ACW gunboats and ships for the Paraguayan War. I make them available through Wargame vault which seems to work well. I've also found printers in the US and UK who are happy to print models for customers (I used to do that myself but my available printing time is very limited for domestic reasons). Seems to be a system that works well

I thought people might want to talk about it, oh well.

In any event, I find Wargames Vault somewhat hard to use, and really doesn't have that much that interests me.

What interests you?

I just hope they won't run traditional manufacturers into the ground as I much prefer the heft of metal. This is by no means a criticism of them, however, as I appreciate the increasing availability of obscure armies that would otherwise never get made. Like WWII french camel corps troops.

I own an online Print shop using Licenses from the creators. We take pride in printing the products we carry. I own almost every set David Manley makes. I an in the US near Cincinnati. David would you have any interest in some sort of licensing so I could sell you ships? I also advertise here. I carry a Russo Japanese War range from War Times Journal.

Thanks

John Leahy

JS Wargamer Printing
wargamerprinting.com

I just hope they won't run traditional manufacturers into the ground a

They will make their impact. Since I print myself my shopping raids have gone down by some 90%. Some shops may notice this.

Printers that leave no wish open regarding detail accuracy are currently available for below 500, and once color printing gets affordable in a year or ten the hobby will totally change.

I have a generator for 4-colour timber framed buildings, and while the Prusa failed to produce good results there are other options on the marked that I will test soon – but the real gamechanger are the multicolored resin prints.

ships for the Paraguayan War.

Long Face Games then.:-)
I own some of your products, including many rulesets. Splendid stuff, highly recommended, espeically the late 19th century.

I recut some of your Chinese ship sets to create singe ships for my DBMM Ming fleet.

I suspect long term metal is dead meat. I have ditched all but a few metal as they have in my opinion no merit, Heft to me is a negative.
We do commission stuff that then goes to market but it's stuff that otherwise may not sell well enough. places like my mini factory and it's various branches means you can buy STL's or minis.

I do some stuff myself but like other forms of scratch building it takes a lot of time. some of my stuff will go up on AOTRS Shipyards, like playing aids, hull down markers, element movement makers and various terrain bits like the 1/144 maize stalks.
Plus if you do lose a bit of a model you can print it easily.

Good colour prints look a long way off in terms of affordability. Even with FDM ther are no Nat black, green or brown filaments.