OK, I realize that I may be the only person who thinks this is a cool idea, but I would LOVE to be able to 3D print out a copy of my characters to put on my desk or even use in tabletop games (Like the pen & paper version of "Champions" or even to use in "Heroclix".).
With home based 3D printers becoming more common this would be an amazing feature that I don't THINK would be a particularly large project to add since the character has to be modeled and rendered to appear on screen. Though I could be wrong since I'm not actually a coder.
Ideally, I would love to be able to scale the output from Heroclix scale (About 1 1/2-2") to something like a desktop statue in the 5-6" range. Depending on how involved you wanted to go, there could even be the option to make 8-10" articulated action figures that could be printed out a piece at a time and then assembled.
Obviously this would not be a core function, but a add-on that could be sold for added revenue prior to CoT going on-line. Particularly if you are going to release the "Costume Creator" prior to the actual release of the game. (Which I thought I read somewhere was a goal of the Dev team at one time, but I could have been imaging that.) I know that I would be willing to pay extra, at least $20-25 for basic 2-6" statue making but maybe a bit more depending on functionality, for something like this. So I would hope that this could be a nice infusion of cash for a modest addition of coding.
We carry on, we fight the fight for those who no longer can...
Tbh, It would be cool. But I think a hobbyist could contract their 3D print modelling skills out to fans. Fan gets model of their toon, hobbyist gets dollars and skills.
Capitalism ftw! :p
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Avatar by MikeNovember
Without a doubt.
MWM could even make some bucks doing that, especially if the 3D model file is not something they want to share. I'd pay to have a character model made, and while I would probably want to paint it myself, there would surely be a market for professional level painted models.
[hr]I like to take your ideas and supersize them. This isn't criticism, it is flattery. I come with nothing but good will and a spirit of team-building. If you take what I write any other way, that is probably just because I wasn't very clear.
This has been suggested before and it was explained in that thread that the way either model-type is built are so different that it's easier to just build them from scratch for either purpose, rather than making a "conversion program" between them.
Though if there comes a way to make it easy then go for it.
In that case, there will be a market for anyone who can make a translator between UE4 and 3D printer file formats. Just think of all the games that would be applicable to...
.($) ($)
. \ o /
[hr]I like to take your ideas and supersize them. This isn't criticism, it is flattery. I come with nothing but good will and a spirit of team-building. If you take what I write any other way, that is probably just because I wasn't very clear.
Yeah that's where I was going with it. The conversion definitely isn't worth the dev time.
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Avatar by MikeNovember
It seems that, as of right now, UE4 is a one direction platform. 3D models can go in but they can not be taken out. And that makes sense to a degree (you don't want someone ripping all the artwork you've spent time on out of your game). However, STL files can go in and STL files are what are used for 3D printing. So with a lot of work and reverse engineering it isn't impossible to take a 3D model out of the game in an STL format. But there is another problem. Your character is not a single model. Each costume element is a different model. And because of the work they are doing those models are stretched and morphed to fit your character. So it's not a simple matter of extracting all the pieces and putting them together and hitting print. Since that hasn't been done yet (to my knowledge) it's a heck of a lot easier to create a digital model from scratch.
Finally, most standard (additive) 3D printers don't have the resolution to to make a good looking character at 1-1/2 inches tall. To get the resolution at that scale you'll need to look at a laser style 3D printer, which is more expensive in terms of machine cost and material cost. Keeping in mind that in either case your figure is a single color. To add color you're looking at a custom paint job now which is another additional cost. If you are adding in joints and what not you're increasing the difficulty yet again.
Not trying to burst bubbles or shut you guys down. I'd LOVE to have figures of some of my characters, but I understand that it's going to cost me. As an alternative. Find a pose-able model with a similar body type, I think they make "blanks" for just this purpose. And build upon that to make your character. I haven't seen anyone commissioning these before but if you hop over to Deviant Art and look at some of the artists that are making these things then you might be able to find someone willing to build your character too. For a price. There you might find a digital modeler that would be into making your character for a price and sending you the STL files which you could then send to a 3D print company.
Just a note, never expect free art. Accept graciously and joyfully if offered, but you should always be prepared to pay and pay a lot. You'd never go to a steakhouse and ask the chef to make you a steak because she enjoys cooking the meat. Never ask an artist to do work for you because he enjoys making the art.
Google image results for "blank action figure":
https://www.google.com/search?q=blank+action+figure&safe=off&rlz=1C1CAFB_enUS693US693&espv=2&biw=1680&bih=944&tbm=isch&imgil=yWEhqEqainEpIM%253A%253BsA3aVmCworupUM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Ftoyland.gizmodo.com%25252Fblank-action-figures-let-you-customize-your-own-superhe-1672163774&source=iu&pf=m&fir=yWEhqEqainEpIM%253A%252CsA3aVmCworupUM%252C_&usg=__R0V1dXcD5UNopPc47CU_U5Wbw8U%3D&dpr=1&ved=0ahUKEwiL9ufA97TPAhWCmR4KHXdoDlgQyjcIcQ&ei=zzjtV8vSFYKzevfQucAF#imgrc=_
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