3D printable Pintsize, from the Questionable Content webcomic

This is my first 3D "sculpture" (as in all I've made before was created based on other 3D CC models or SVG's I imported into Vectary).

It's not very good, I must admit, but I've still got some ways to go to create proper sculpted 3D models.

IF anyone's got any good tutorials for Blender on learning the ins and outs of modeling characters in 3D, I'd be very grateful if you could pass them along !

So, here he is:

and here's who he's modeled after:

Copyright Jeph Jacques, creator of Questionable Content

And here's someone who was WAY more successful than me at 3D modeling Pintsize, for comparison XP

All rights to the 3D render, model and freaking amazing skills go to Pixelgeezer

The day I can make a model like the one above I'll be very happy :)

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So, you might have noticed that my model isn't exactly very 3D printable...

There are several ways to make a complicated model printable, I'll explain the ones I know , and how to use them.

Make it a multi-part assembly

You might have seen some more complicated models that require assembly out there, but here's what my model would look like if I made it into a "print and assemble" figure:

The body itself would have holes to fit the arms, legs and neck

Then you'd have similar holes booleaned into the feet and hands, as well as into the head.

And then you use the scale tool to reduce the radius of the legs and arms slightly, so they'll fit, and place it all flat on the printer.

This is a lot of work, of course. and given most of the parts don't have a surface they can be printed on without supports, I decided on another way that might be better.

Slice it

Here's my solution to the problem.

There's probably ways to make it easier, but I thought this should allow the model to be printable in 2 different parts and be assembled using a bit of glue, and require virtually no supports at all !

As you can see, there's a flat face for everything.
and it is literally just selecting the slice tool in Vectary and making sure you aim in the middle of the arms.

The slice tool actually allows you to just leave the slicing line, without even cutting, so it makes for an interesting way to create a line that goes through every face of your model too.

Print it with a soluble support material

This is a method I've only heard of, but there are apparently materials out there that can be dropped in water and just dissolve.

If you have a dual extrusion printer head, you could choose to make tons of support, having only the support made out of this dissolvable material

Here's a youtube video that shows the concept applied to an item that I would LOVE to have on my desk (I mean look at that thing spin !)

Print it in a semi-liquid environment

This one I discovered yesterday, as a friend shared it on Facebook

Here's the video of the propotype they've created. It's not very precise yet, but it is pretty fast.

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So, why make a 3D model of this Pintsize character ?

Well, when I want to distract myself I read, no matter if that reading is books, mangas or webcomics.

I've read tons of webcomics, but, for some reason, Questionable Content is one of my favorites.

The beginning is a bit rough around the edges, given the art style it started with

I think the authors copyright notice is enough ;)

But it soon gets better, and if you can survive the occasional comics containing obscure references to indie bands (I still have no idea what the hell they're talking about, but the overall character development and storyline keeps me hooked, even when re-reading it for the 3rd time to catch up) I'm sure you'll like it !

As you can see, the artstyle gets better.

And the plot involves space stations, illegal robot fighting rings, and AntroPC's, which are basically sentient pet robots.

I love this webcomic XD

I hope you'll check it out !

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In other news, I hope to soon hear back about getting my 3D printer (I checked the email I received back from MyMiniFactory last time I asked... it turns out they said to expect it to be ready for delivery 2 months from then... that was 2 months and a half ago \*-*/ So I've asked them for confirmation if the printer is ready, so I can give them an address and get my own 3D printer )

Here's the file on Vectary and MyMiniFactory.

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As always, all photos of my 3D model are released under CC0, the images from the webcomic and elsewhere are the respective property of their owners, which I've done my best to cite, and the 3D model itself is released under CC-BY-NC-SA