Something about 3d printing game characters

[Bree Giffen]

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-19085980

This looks interesting. Actually it's quite vague. I don't know what it does.

[Amethyst Jetaime]

3D Printing has been around for a while.  SImplified, software takes a 2D computer image and projects it into 3D and sends the data to a special printer.  The printer then uses various materials, plastic probably for an avatar, to build a 3D RL model of the image. Think in terms of an inkjet spraying ink on paper,  this printer uses layers of plastic instead of ink and would 'spray' it over and over again, layer over layer. The layers are built up by the machine until a physical RL model is produced.  It's not something an average person would probably have hooked up to their off the shelf laptop and these are expensive printers.  They are mainly used in business or the health care industry.

The special software in this article would be able to take an image of a non human avatar whose anatomy wouldn't support itself in RL and modifies the model so it can stand on its own.  However, as pointed out in the article, ..."using this technology to make a 3D copy of a 2D on-screen image for the character would be an infringement." , unless of course you owned the IP rights.

[Dilbert Dilweg]

3D printing has come a long way and now you can get some rather affordable Printers. With extremnely durrable plastic composits

It has become a great tool for making parts for older cars that you can not get parts for. A lot of things it is being used for. For concept of fabrication to nicknacks of art. The cheapest printer that exists is only 999 dollars for smaller parts. A larger machine only cost a little over 3 grand and makes larger parts.. Pretty awesome tool .. Something that 3D artists can use and currnently use for art displays etc Would be awesome to make plastic copies of residents avatars. it can be done...   

 

 

Withe the ability to create your avatar in mesh is no infingment at all

[Poenald Palen]

Yeah, there used to be a guy who made avatars into models. They where interesting. I don't remember much about them, but I saw it a few years back. SL avatars into plastic statues, fun stuff.

[Tiffy Vella]

That's interesting, Bree. There are also these. They have a site where you can make your own little doll/avatar, and have it printed as an actual doll.

[MoiselleErin Teardrop]

I wouldn't mind having a plastic RL model of my avatar, that would be cool. probably not cheap tho cause my avatar is no toothpick.

[Perrie Juran]

Maybe I can get a model of my SL GF made.

Or would a blow up doll be quicker and cheaper?

[Kenbro Utu]

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Dilbert Dilweg wrote:

The cheapest printer that exists is only 999 dollars for smaller parts. 

 

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Cut that in half, Solidoodle has a 6 x 6 working area home printer for $495.  Then there is the RepRap project where the printers are "self-replicating" and produce many of their own parts, and you can buy the electronics and make your own.

Found a cost breakdown on building your own.

 

[Tiffy Vella]

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Perrie Juran wrote:

Maybe I can get a model of my SL GF made.

Or would a blow up doll be quicker and cheaper?

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I knew someone's mind would go down this track.

 

Grin.

[Attica Bekkers]

I want to see postcards from around the world of peoples avatar doll visiting different rl tourist traps.

[Perrie Juran]

 

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Attica Bekkers wrote:

I want to see postcards from around the world of peoples avatar doll visiting different rl tourist traps.

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Even better, some one could do a Video Blog!

 

 

 

[MoiselleErin Teardrop]

You would have to save your breath for the romance that would ensue if you got an inflatable G/F. So count in an extra $25 for an electric air pump.