3D Printing Doctor Who - Print and paint your own 5.5" scale customs

[3DPrintingDoctorWho]

Welcome to the thread for the 3D Printing Doctor Who Project!

Troy Ryan Wood, aka 'bluehinter' on here formerly... Since my old thread got wiped with the server reset, I guess I'll use this opportunity to restructure things in a slightly more organized manner, and include a FAQ section for those who are new to the 3D printing process. Otherwise, watch this thread for semi-regularly updates and work-in-progress photos of how my latest build projects are going.

I started this project specifically for Doctor Who fans with access to 3D printers, who are looking to plug the gaps in the official 5.5" scale toy line with *FREE* articulated models that you can print at home, paint and assemble, and then proudly display on your shelf alongside the rest of your figures!

Here's a short video introducing the project: https://youtu.be/1RgA8s-hfuQ

Quick Links:
List of Available Templates
To-Do List (and 'Nope' List)
3D Printing FAQ
Finished Figure Gallery



The Rules:

1) I will only make templates available as long as licensed versions of the figures do not exist. (If Character Options announces their next figure will be a Quark or Alpha Centauri, that template will immediately be pulled from the line-up.) While it seems increasingly unlikely that we will ever get official versions of these figures, anything that CO does choose to release will undoubtedly be of higher quality than what I can create myself, and I do not want to jeopardize their profitability or the release of future figures by producing "cheap knock-offs."

If I take down a template, it should go without saying that I do not want anybody else passing around copies they might have downloaded before I made it disappear.

2) I will stop sharing templates entirely, including all future releases, if I catch anyone attempting to profit by selling these figures or designs on eBay, Etsy, at conventions, or reposting the designs for sale on 3D print-to-order sites like Shapeways, etc. (and I *am* watching. Do not take this warning lightly.) This is strictly a not-for-profit fan project. As long as we all agree to play nice, I plan on releasing new figures on a regular basis for at least the next five to seven years!

3) For a number of reasons, this project is restricted to monsters from the classic 1963-1996 era of Doctor Who only. Mainly, this is because I want to stay on the good side of the BBC (and their lawyers), but also because most modern era monsters were produced with HD television in mind and have significantly more complex costumes than their clunky 60's, 70's, and 80's counterparts, which makes them too difficult for me to reproduce given my limited technical skill.



All templates are 100% *FREE* to download, and can be access from the Templates page on https://www.3dprintingdoctorwho.com/

We also have a new Guest Templates page for designs created by other artists, which is not limited to just 5.5" scale figures, and also includes customizing pieces, full-scale props, costume pieces, and other fun stuff! If you've created a professional quality 3D model you want to share, feel free to contact me on here or via the 3DPrintingDoctorWho facebook group, and I'll be happy to add it to the site.

Please note that new templates often require several rounds of prototyping and test printing until I am satisfied that optimal quality has been reached, so always consult the Templates page first to see which designs I consider "finished" and which still "require tinkering" before printing yourself, and especially before using a service like 3DHubs.com to have someone custom print them for you.

One last thing, and I cannot repeat this strongly enough... UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES will I custom print figures for you. This is a hobby and extension of my fandom, NOT a business.
DO NOT ask if figures are for sale, if I take custom orders, if I am willing to do custom design work for you, if I *know* people who can print figures for you, or if I can provide estimates for how much it would cost to have one of these designs commercially printed. The answer is an emphatic 'NO!' on all counts. Otherwise, I am happy to answer questions about my figures, design process, or 3D printing in general.

And now, on to the templates...

[3DPrintingDoctorWho]

Figure releases:
The list below is mostly just to show off what's available. Please visit the Templates page of my website: https://www.3dprintingdoctorwho.com/templates.html for far more detailed print, paint, and assembly instructions, as well as links to where you can purchase the LEDs, motors, and other optional parts I have built into many of the designs as extra features.



Note that some figures are designed to be printed in regular filament (PLA), and some are set up for regular solid resin (solid SLA), or a mixture of solid and flexible resin (flex SLA.) Since I didn't get a resin printer of my own until after completing the 26th figure, I am in the process of going back through the list of old templates and updating them so that they can be printed in either format. As always, there are more details on the website.

Additionally, many more figures are available on the Guest Templates part of the website that aren't listed below.


001 - Alpha Centauri
Version 3 - Updated 3/26/2018

Finished: https://drive.google.com/open?id=17r-VE ... 40JX-92Moj

Notes: I've completely redesigned ol' Alpha Centauri from the ground up. Everything should be a lot cleaner and more professional looking now, and the newly redesigned arms pass all the way through the body so that you can move them like a finger puppet (or possibly attach thick wire to them and make it more of an actual puppet). I have no idea if the head veins will actually print on a regular resolution printer, but they're definitely showing up on my 20 micron machine.


002 - Quark
Version 4 - Updated 11/17/2019

Finished: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1MPBqx ... oknPlGgEDr

Notes: The "eye tubes" are too small to print legibly even on a resin printer, though I have done my best to create a model that at least has tube-shaped bumps in the appropriate places.

This design contains a couple of large scale accessories; a hexagonal background wall with removable pieces of rubble, and the Dominator's atomic drill. For the PLA version, I printed my drill out of a color changing thermoplastic so that the unpainted sections "light up" white when held in your hand! For the SLA resin versions, I used clear resin, but added some glow in the dark resin dye to the mix to make a version that would light up when exposes to UV light.




003 - Chumbley
Version 7 - Updated 2/13/2021

Finished: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1GNgPm ... 9umSWXezHg


Notes: I've officially been messing around with this figure for over 3 years, but in 2021 I decided to scrap everything I'd built before (and arguably before I really knew what I was doing) and rebuilt it from the ground up. The new version is far more screen accurate (it now looks like there’s enough room for a Dalek operator kneeling on a moving dolly inside, which is exactly how I think they were operated!) and contains an internal mechanism based loosely around a "clicky ballpoint pen" that will let you raise or lower the upper sections just by pressing down and twisting

This figure require the following off-the shelf parts for assembly:

• One 3/8"(9.4mm) by 1 7/8"(47.4mm) compression spring. (Required)
• One 1/8"(4.7mm) by 1 1/2"(38.5mm) or shorter compression spring (Optional, if you want the head part to wobble a bit.)
• One 1.5mm wide brass craft rod to be trimmed to length for the arm pivots and to secure the top of the cylinder mechanism. These can be found in most craft stores that have a model airplane section. Alternatively you can use a wire coat hanger or even toothpicks.
• 4 metal pins for the top antenna and telescopic probe. Large insect collecting pins with a small teardrop shaped head work best.
• A small tube of UV craft resin and a UV flashlight is recommended for sealing holes and locking the craft rod arm pivots in place, but crazy glue or even paint will work in most cases.

Please see https://www.3dprintingdoctorwho.com/templates.html#003 for detailed paint and assembly instructions.





004 - SIDRAT
Version 2 - Updated 5/22/2018

Finished: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1jZ4Bh ... gf0WGcV9Sz

Notes: This figure has been redesigned for improved door mobility and to add insets to the inside of the front panel where earth magnets can be mounted to simulate the "fridge magnet" style control layout. This is a VERY large figure that requires a build area that is at least 7" x 7". Please verify your printer is large enough to handle it before you attempt to print.




005 - Larvae Gun
Version 2 - Updated 10/18/2017

Finished: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1n_JRz ... qLd3TBn-fS

Notes: .A very simple 2-piece figure with no articulation. Just print the two halves and then glue together with E-6000 or another heavy duty craft glue.




006 - Dalek Time Machine
Version 2 - Updated 3/7/2018

Finished: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1c_PtZ ... pifIybaej2

Notes: This is a VERY large figure that will just barely fit on my 7.9" x 7.9" x 7.1" build area if I disable both Raft and Brim in CURA. Please verify your printer is large enough to handle it before you attempt to print.


007 - Zarbi
Version 2 - Updated 11/13/2017

Beta: https://drive.google.com/open?id=164oUL ... OhGn6noNXX

Notes: This Beta version is fully printable, but I eventually plan on going back to clean up the leg joints, add some detail to the eyes, and change the pivot type on the neck to a ball joint for more natural movement.




008 - Dalek Hoverbout
Version 2 - Updated 4/1/2018

Finished: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1po6r1 ... Uczoc3hGuF

Notes: This is another VERY large figure that will only fit on printers with a 7" x 7" or larger build area. Please verify your printer is large enough to handle it before you attempt to print.



009 - Servo Robot
Version 4 - Updated 5/7/2018

Finished: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1WtmAq ... 3UBQ5YjIUo

Notes: You will need to print *TWO* copies of the arm and leg STL file in order to have enough limbs for a complete figure. Make sure this is clearly explained if sending the design to a professional printer. Special thanks to Hastran on TurboSquid, who allowed me to use his original 3D sculpt as the basis for my figure.




010 - Exxilon Root
Version 4 - Updated 9/15/2019

Final: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1USMsY ... TBZW-ZD7dy

Notes: This figure is sort of printable using regular filament, but because it's all curved surfaces, it's far better suited to SLA resin.
For the best possible print, use a 50/50% combination of regular black or grey resin and Siraya Tech "Tenacious" flexible resin. See the website for more detailed printing instructions




011 - Dalek Transmat
Version 4 - Updated 7/22/2018

Finished: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Qvt_M ... EkQTaXzZBV

Notes: The zip file contains three sub-folders depending on whether you plan on printing a solid version (which must be painted) a modular version which uses flashing LED string light that are operated by a button, or a non-flashing version that uses a different type of LED string lights which can be operated by a switch on the base. You will need to print *ONE* copy of the Transmat platform in the root folder (I have included an alternate with a brim added, since mine was curling a bit), and *TWO COPIES* of everything in the Solid or Light-Up sub folders, depending on which version you want to make. Make sure this is clearly explained if sending the design to a professional printer.



012 - Keller Machine
Version 2 - Updated 12/10/2017

Finished: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1CCvH7 ... FiAPrrCylU

Notes: Comes in two flavors. A standard solid version and a light-up version compatible with UniBlock LED bricks. Rather surprisingly, I was able to print this on a standard 1mm resolution machine and the handles still came out, but your mileage may vary depending on your temperature settings. If you're having considerable trouble getting them to print, you may want to consider snipping them off with a pair of wire cutters, drilling two small holes for the bases, and then just inserting two bent pieces of filament of the appropriate lengths.


013 - War Machine
Version 4 - Updated 1/18/2019

Beta: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1EXLSn ... eig8UEcpDx

Notes: This is another VERY large figure that will only fit on printers with a 7" x 7" or larger build area. Please verify your printer is large enough to handle it before you attempt to print.

This figure works perfectly fine for standard non-motorized use, but I've been having trouble getting the underpowered Go-Brix motors to work as intended. This latest Beta version strips the weight of the body down to an absolute minimum, but I haven't had time to reprint yet to see if it's drivable or if the new cam system for the arms has enough torque to make the arms whomp up and down.



014 - Rutan Scout
Version 2 - Updated 1/6/2018

Finished: https://drive.google.com/open?id=12zjdd ... MLzlNiWdwY

Notes: Designed to be printed out of transparent green PLA or PETG, and fitted with a green UniBlock LED brick. The figure can still be printed without the LED brick but it will have a 2x3 Lego-sized hole in the base.


015 - Hand of Omega
Version 5 - Updated 1/20/2018

Beta: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1OIhAJ ... wfRIl1DTLu

Notes: This is another VERY large figure that will only fit on printers with a 7" x 7" or larger build area. Please verify your printer is large enough to handle it before you attempt to print.

In it's current Beta state, it's designed to work with three white UniBlock LED light bricks, however, I will be redesigning the figure in the future to work with LED string lights so that the lights can be easily turned on and off with a switch, rather than having to use a "key" to turn on and off three separate bricks. Since the interior is hollow, you can easily forego the LED bricks and their support layer entirely, and just drop a set of LED string lights in underneath the removable fog layer, whenever you want to turn it on.




016 - 12th Doctor’s Guitar
Version 1 - Updated 12/24/2017

Finished guitar: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1xDwG7 ... P0jDyP0MXV
Beta glasses:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1rtWaJ ... XfWqciWwBS

Notes: I broke my unwritten rule of "no modern Who" to create this special tribute to Peter Capaldi shortly before the airing of his final episode on 12/25/2017.




017 - Ogri
Version 1 - Updated 1/1/2018

Beta: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1VrwYV ... _eDeXgmouQ

Notes: The zip file contains two sub-folders depending on whether you plan on printing a solid version or a light up version compatible with UniBlock LED bricks. The light up version can still be used without the LED lights, but it will have a hole in the back where the light control dial goes. This is a Beta design because I eventually plan on creating a version that's compatible with the LED string lights.




018 - Yeti Mk. I
Version 5 - Updated 12/28/2020

Finished: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1E1DKT ... Kf-6lskWSQ

Notes: Possibly my finest and favorite figure to date, this design is based off the original Yeti costumes used during The Abominable Snowmen. The Mk. II seen in Web of Fear differed significantly, despite the episodes being filmed only a few months apart. The Mk. I Yeti looks much more like a living organic creature, and lack the weird "Moth" flashlight eyes, square mouths, and bare chests of the Mk. II's. They also have four fingers on each hand instead of three, and most unexpected of all, had somewhat creepy looking cats eyes that don't appear to have been visible at all in the filmed version. (Though since we're lacking 5 of the 6 episodes, it's hard to know for sure.)

My figure also comes with optional accessories including the pyramid of control spheres from the cave featured in episode 2.



019 - Taran Wood Beast
Version 5 - Updated 4/19/2018

Finished: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1cvPKF ... XFYQeYPV8z

Notes: This was supposed to be a stupid April Fools joke, where I released an action figure no one wanted based on one of the most derided monster in Doctor Who history. Little did I know that this "quick and dirty" joke figure was going to take nearly a full month and countless prototypes to get anywhere near a printable state.

The figure also comes with a tiny Key To Time, which can be printed out of transparent resin or PETG if you so choose.





020 - 20th Anniversary TARDIS Console
Version 5 - Updated 3/3/2019

Beta: https://drive.google.com/open?id=16gSV4 ... URetYRuVPs

Notes: Special thanks to Peacock Pete on Thingiverse, who's console formed the basic skeleton of my design.

I held off making a TARDIS console for a full year, because I knew it would have to be spectacular, and I wanted to be at the top of my game when I created it. The design you see before you is as screen accurate as physically possible, even down to placement and colorization of the individual buttons. This is a VERY large figure that will just barely fit on my 7.9" x 7.9" x 7.1" build area if I disable both Raft and Brim in CURA. I have included manual brims as part of the design to try to prevent curling on the outer corners, which is especially problematic for this piece in particular. Please verify your printer is large enough to handle it before you attempt to print. As of Version 5, this design also has support for a single 20 LED Fairy String Light that can be used to light the various console displays. (Note: some of the photos below show the earlier 4 version which used two multi-colored LED string lights. This is actually less screen accurate than just using white ones, and takes up more room, so I changed it)

I'm still listing this one as a beta design since I haven't had a chance to reprint the latest Version 5 changes, which incorporates a new column design, a split console base, and a fun removable access panel with fake circuit boards. I'm not anticipating amy problems, but I never do until I encounter them.




021 - Wirrn
Version 3 - Updated 9/1/2018

Finished: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1FNcCp ... DH05LK8F2m

Notes: Special thanks to Hastran on TurboSquid, who allowed me to use his original 3D sculpt as the basis for my figure.




022 - Kroton
Version 2 - Updated 11/3/2020

Beta: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ty5-y ... 1ig_uPG4j-

Notes: This newly redesigned version is printable in both PLA and SLA resin. The tips of the hands might give you some trouble while printing in PLA, so you may need to use a solder gun to slightly melt and rescuplt them if they come out lumpy.


023 - REMOVED

Notes: This was previously the Newbery TARDIS, but Character Options released their own version in 2019 as part of their 4th Doctor Shada set.
As always, I will only release models as long as there are no officially licensed toys of the same design.


024 - The Master's TARDIS (from Claws of Axos)
Version 1 - Updated 5/6/2019

Beta: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1SQOen ... aAMHgZiw8O

Notes: Stuart Galloway designed a similar TARDIS over on Thingiverse that I was going to link to directly on our new Guest Templates page, but then I noticed the corners weren't as smooth as they could be, the height was a bit off, the door proportions not quite right, etc. so perfectionist that I am, I ended up building a brand new version from scratch to more closely resemble the original prop.

While I'm listing this as a Beta, the design is so simple there shouldn't be anything that can really go wrong with it. The box is unusually high, so it had to be split in two, but this allowed me to create a pivoting door similar to the one on the Dalek Time Machine, even though we never actually see The Master enter it on screen. (You can see that it wasn't even a full prop as the yellow backdrop is clearly visible through the crack in the door)




025 - 8th Doctor TV Movie TARDIS Console Room Playset
Version 1 - Updated 5/27/2019

Finished: https://drive.google.com/open?id=15AUTl ... TrAEqn2qkg

Notes: This is the single most complex template I have ever built. Special thanks to Smappy and Jeffrey Fink, whose original designs I mashed together and then built over the top of to form my own version. Also thanks to Brian Uiga, who restored the original 1996 prop, and sent me an astonishing number of up-close photos, that were invaluable for creating an accurate miniature version of this masterpiece.





026 - The Toymaker's Robot
Version 1 - Updated 5/6/2019

Beta: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JImGOm ... A5qicG4O7n

Notes: The design works, but it's currently configured with an prototype arm assembly that required using flexible resin as an additive if you're printing in SLA. I'll be fixing this shortly to use the new shoulder design I developed for the Cleaner Robot, which can be printed normally, and is far less prone to failure.







027 - Mk. VII Robotic Cleaner
Version 1 - Updated 11/30/2019
Beta: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1kIM-_ ... y8esjtn0op

The Cleaner Robot is formatted with SLA resin printing in mind. If you have a high resolution FDM printer, you can try it in PLA+, but some of the smaller parts may self-destruct at the level of detail required. There is a separate folder inside the zip file containing the optional wheeled bin accessory and a set of legs to stick out the back, plus a set of free-standing Kroagnon eyes, if you don't want to print out the full figure.
There are also two versions of the saw blade. A tapered version that might come out sharp enough to actually cut you, and a flatter version that should be a bit safer if you have kiddies in the house.
The Wheelie Bin has a removable lid and a reversible frame for the legs which will give you the option of sticking one or two legs out the back, depending if you want your legs to belong to a Yellow Kang or Caretaker.

The underside of the figure comes with mounts for UniBlock LED Bricks for the headlights, and a 47715c01 Lego Technic pull-back motor. If you are going to use the Lego motor, I recommend not even bothering to go with the printed wheels and axles and just use the following off-the-shelf Lego pieces instead (you can find most for a couple of cents each on https://www.bricklink.com):






028 - Kroagnon
Version 1 - Updated 11/30/2019
Beta: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1I6-ZY ... Z2D78nX92o


Kroagnon comes with both PLA and SLA printing files. He's a big 'un, but he should fit on a standard 7" printing bed, or in a standard 65mm deep Anycubic Photon or Elegoo Mars FEP tank using the pre-split files for SLA printing. For some reason, they never actually showed the basement dwelling version of Kroagnon from the front during the transmitted episode, so this figure design is a bit of an "Artist's Reconstruction", inferring what I think the completed set piece probably looked like, based on what little photo evidence is available.

This figure is designed to work with the button style of LED String lights, if you want to make the eyes and control panels light up and flash HUNGRY! There are two version of the triangular computer panels. A solid version for a static model or PLA printing, or one with built in recesses for the mounting of LED string lights and using color tinted UV resin for the triangles, similar to the technique I used for the 8th Doctor TARDIS console.




029 - Raston Warrior Robot
Version 1 - Updated 2/23/2020
Finished: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1oGNUq ... zno0Eu8FyR

This is my first properly humanoid figure.
There's both a PLA and a SLA version, though because the arms and legs are so thin, the PLA version uses the same 1.5mm brass rod knee and elbow joints in an attempt to maximize structural integrity and prevent snapping. The rest of the joints are regular pop-in.
I've included a few of the robot's lances and the knife that it uses to behead the Cyberman. Both of these can theoretically slot into a thin clip that goes around the wrist. As the lances and clip are just a couple of mm thick, they may not print on a filament printer, and should probably be printed with flexible resin in a SLA printer.
Since quite a bit of surface detail is lost importing and exporting out of TinkerCAD. The Google Drive version has refined SLA versions of the head and torso which attempts to restore some of that detail. Unfortunately, because meshmixer hates flat surfaces, I can't get too close to any of the edges.



030 - Meglos
Beta: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1POJmUz ... x9UupzXTtB

This year's April Fools figure figure comes with an incredibly lifelike zero points of articulation, except you have the option of printing the cactus hollow using a flexible resin like Siraya Tech's Tenacious or filament like TPU or NinjaFlex, which means that in theory, it can be made to "deflate" as seen in the episode.

There's a loop up inside the tip of the cactus that you are supposed to be able to thread a bit of string around, then down through the platform and out a hole in the back, so you can pull on it and make Meglos collapse.

Unfortunately, even when printing with 100% Tenacious flexible resin, I couldn't get it to budge, though the needles (those that came out) were nice and flexible. I suspect the walls need to be even thinner than they are now, but not so thin that they collapse or tear during printing. I might try playing around with this one later to see if I can get it to work better, but for now, it's primarily a solid structure.

In addition to hollow and non-hollow variants, you have the option of printing with spines and without. As you can see, the spine only sort-of came out on my resin printed version, though my printer was also massively screwing up at the time, so it came out a lot worse than it should have. On a fully functional printer with just the right support structures, it might very well come out as planned.






031 - Junk Mail Robot & Spy Kite
Finished: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FPiVRB ... -Xxjmav6YJ

The Junk Mail Robot started out as a quicky and dirty remix of an excellent design by James Kersey to bring it into 5.5" scale and make it 3D printer friendly, but as is the way with these things, I ended up spending over three days ripping it apart and putting it back together again to make it as anally-retentive screen accurate as I could, given that there isn't much in the way of behind the scenes photography from this episode, and the prop does not appear to have made it to public exhibition.

This release is sort of a hodge podge of miscellaneous material from Greatest Show In The Galaxy, since James' design also included some juggling pins for the 7th Doctor, and not to be outdone, I decided to up the ante by throwing in a Spy Kite (which is bigger than the bot itself) and the Psychic Circus eye medallion, which is only 6mm across and 1.3mm high, so who knows if it'll even print on a HD resin printer.




032 - Voord
Final: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CkJ_7S ... _Gx0qQl2aV

This figure is designed for both SLA resin printing and Regular PLA, though thin items like the hands and antenna may not print especially well in PLA. Assembly for this one is almost identical to that of the Raston Warrior Robot. You will need some 1.5mm wide brass rods for the shoulder, elbow and knee pivots (though you can substitute a bit of nail, wire coat hanger, or even a toothpick if you're desperate.)
The design comes with your choice of three different antenna to match the three different Voord costumes used during production. This particular one is mostly based on Voord #1 (Yartek) and #3 (The triangle-antennaed one.) The second Voord costume (circular antenna) has an entirely different cut from the others as well as a diagonal sash. Despite only appearing in episode 1 this is the version most often depicted in magazines/comics. The other two costumes get used in both episodes 1 and 6, and are nearly identical except for the collar, so that's the version I'm going with. If you really want a sash/belt, you can add one yourself.




This figure also comes with a Key of Marinus accessory. Like the Eye Medallion in the last set, I find it very unlikely that this will print in any sort of recognizable fashion, except on the absolute highest quality most perfectly tuned resin printers. But it's detailed enough that you could technically upscale it to 1/6 or full-sized if you wanted to.




033 - Zero Cabinet
Beta: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1h51lYu ... 8Al3xCJoDx

Somebody on my facebook group asked the other day if I could make a 3D Printable roundel, which ended up being way harder than it looked. Of course, just a roundel alone is boring, so I decided to make something to put the roundels on (without building an entire console room) hence the Zero Cabinet.

This one may be a bit tricky to print in regular filament since it has a lot of curved surfaces. The only completely flat bits are the two ends. This comes in two variants depending on whether you want to print it solid or with the roundels as a separate slot-in pieces, so you can make them semi-transparent.

Note, thatI had to flub the dimensions slightly so that you could actually fit the Peter Davison's figure inside it. I made it as snug as I could, but due to the way his arms are positioned I had to make it wider, which proportionally increased the overall dimensions by somewhere around 7 to 10%.
It's not too far off, but if you want a truly screen accurate version, you may have to shrink it a bit in your slicer software.




034 - Sensorites
Beta: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EqWm6b ... -gg7dFEgfX

Not one, but three figures! Depending on what torso, forearm, and head you print, you can create a regular Worker Sensorite, the First Elder (double sash), or Second Elder (single sash). I have only printed in resin so far, but assume the figures will print adequately in regular filament since they're about the same dimensions as the Voord and Raston Warrior Robot, both of which I've seen people print successfully in PLA.


035 - Erato & Wolf Weeds
Beta: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1h9Cnfm ... SWvOXvP1te

Erato and the Wolf Weeds (which sounds like a horrible band name) are officially live and ready for printing. Rather than mess with the proportions any more, I compromised and created 4 different subfolders of the zip file with the body split into one piece (approximately 230mm by 240mm by 220mm tall), two pieces (which is enough to fit on my machine and may fit on a Creality if you turn it diagonal), four pieces (should definitely fit on a Creality), and eight pieces (for printers like my old Monoprice that don't have quite as much vertical print space)

Note that if you're going to try to print Erato in resin on a standard sized Photon or Elegoo Mars, you're going to have to cut those eighths pieces into sixteenths.





036 - Aggedor
Final: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kbCTEx ... fk0hbESOek
Aggedor comes with 12 points of articulation, including a movable jaw. While the figure is primarily designed for resin printing, there's no reason why it shouldn't print on PLA, it'll just look a little rough on the underside of pieces where there are overhangs.





037 - Wirrn-Infected Noah
Beta: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CiO1QA ... Amf-GeaV_j
Wirrn-Infected Noah comes with three swappable right arms and two swappable heads so that you can change him between regular Noah, Bubblewrap Hand Noah, and Fully-Infected Noah. He also comes with a blaster accessory. This figure is designed for SLA resin printing so some of the smaller thinner elements like the gun and belt may not print properly in PLA.






038 - Necros Incubator Dalek
Beta: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hnbZW4 ... _egMqpd1Mh
Since this figure is supposed to be mostly transparent, it's really only designed to be printed in SLA resin.
Because the plunger arm and eyestalk are so thin and fragile, I highly recommend using at least 25% to 50% flexible resin as an additive so that they will bend rather than break. This figure also comes with an optional light-up feature that makes use of LED string lights.





039 - KLF "Doctorin' The TARDIS" Dalek
Beta: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NbP391 ... O0d9CCtg5j
This was the annual April Fools Day figure release for 2022. While certainly not part of regular Doctor Who canon, the single was a chart-topping hit for a few brief weeks in the summer of 1988, and the video (which featured rubbish cardboard box versions of the Daleks) became a staple of PBS pledge breaks in the United States for at least a couple of years to follow.

Because the plunger arm, antenna, and eyestalk are so thin and fragile, I highly recommend using at least 25% to 50% flexible resin as an additive for those parts so that they will bend rather than break. By default, this figure comes with non-functional castor wheels but if you want a figure that rolls, there is an option to use Lego plane wheels instead.








REMIX FIGURES:



REMIX001 - Battle Damage Emperor Dalek
Final: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_swhbj ... ThxmMEVuMo



The Battle Damage Emperor Dalek, is the first of several remix/collaboration figures I'll be working on with other members of my 3D Printing Doctor Who facebook group. I'll be adding these designs to the Remixes and Guest Templates section of my website because I want to always try to give fair attribution, as well as keep them separate and distinct from my own figures, because in some cases people may actually be selling them with permission of the original artist and I don't want people to get confused.

This pimped-out Emperor Dalek come with LED supports, the triangular dais, and a movable eyestalk, plus removable slot-in 'Battle Damage' panels that let you expose the destroyed mutant and burnt out wiring inside! You have to provide your own tubes and wires, but I've included mounting holes for everything. Just coil a few different thicknesses of wire around a few different cylindrical objects and you can nicely mimic the slinky-style tubing the designers used.

I've also added an alternate split version of the corner plinth that should fit on resin printers (Though for resin printing you'll still need at least a Moai 130 or something bigger to print the skirt.)

Special thanks to Edward Felix on my Facebook group for designing the original that this remix was based on.






REMIX002 - Kronos
Final: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n1HSEg ... N9hprBneo2


This is the first of many amazing figures designed by James Lee that I'll be adding articulation and minor tweaks/detail upgrades to. He's cranking these things out six times faster than I can work on them, so check out all his other incredible creations and know I'll try to get to as many of them as I can, but I still have my own figures to work on as well!

REMIX003 - The Meddling Monk and TARDIS
Final: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rSz_tE ... KMvmhwC2Q/



A collaborative effort between David Turner (who provided not one, but two heads!), Jeffrey Fink (who built the original Monk's TARDIS) and myself (who built the body and articulation. This is possibly the most lifelike and professional looking figure we've done so far, and it really feels like a complete Character Options set.



REMIX004 - The Key to Time and Tracer
Final: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NeMleG ... mD0dFj0J4j

A quick and easy remix of Dan Liwszyc's full sized prop design shrunk down to 5.5" scale with an added Tracer thrown in for good measure.
Since this one is so tiny (and clear) you pretty much have to print it out of clear resin, and the Tracer will only work if you print it out of a flexible resin like SuperFlex or Tenacious.

[3DPrintingDoctorWho]

To Do List:

I plan to keep on releasing figures until I run out of subjects that are within my capacity to sculpt. I work at my own speed and on the figures I want to work on. I will occasionally allow the project's Facebook Group to vote on which figure I tackle next (out of a list of pre-approved options), but only when the fancy strikes me. Please do not contact me to request that I work on a particlar design or ask when your favorite monster will become available. I will try to get to everything on this list eventually (if my fellow designers don't beat me to it), but it's a slow process, and I plan to be at this for several years.

You will note that there are no figures with human faces on my to-do list. There's a very good reason for that.


I am not nearly skilled enough at 3D sculpting to construct a human face from scratch. And in general, most regular filament printers don't have the level or detail requires to print one properly even if I could. That said, now that resin printers have become more commonplace, I'm not completely against the idea of doing companions or other humanoids like the Dominators, Movellans, Thals, or Drahvins, but it would take an unusual set of circumstances where I just happen to stumble across a premade sculpt that bears a close enough resemblance to the actor and their costume, that I feel confident enough I can Frankenstein something together.



Note that my "no human faces" rule also applies to half masks and prosthetics. This includes Ogrons, Draconians, Primoids, Vogans, Tharils, Azal, or any other creature where you can see the actors eyes, nose, or mouth, or equally detailed prosthetics like the Silurians, Haemovores or The Destroyer. But never completely say never. You never know what fantabulous new technology is right around the corner.

That said, there are still plenty of figures that I know I can pull off using the skill and equipment that I already possess now.
The following figures are ones that I am 100% certain *will* be made. If not by me than by one of our guest designs (who have now more than doubled the total number of figures in the 3D Printing Doctor Who project's collection.) Just give me time:

20th Anniversary TARDIS Console Room. Once I get the console printed the way I want, I'll start building the rest of the console room as a series of slot-together panels, with working doors, scanner screen, interior door, and a little bit of corridor.

Classic TARDIS Console. This will happen. I have an excellent model from Hastran, it just needs to be cleaned up and pimped out with lights and movement like the 20th Anniversary. (Although it'll be more work because every panel is different). Chris Jones has already provided an incredibly detailed version of the Hartnell era console room, including props like the Astral Map, Food Machine, and Time-Space Visualizer.

Wood-paneled Secondary Console Room. Same as above. Got a model already, primarily a case of cleaning it up for 3D printing and adding bells and whistles.

WOTAN from The War Machines. More or less a big solid box covered in lights and and a few tape reels similar to The Master's TARDIS from the Time Monster set. I figure I'll tackle this one once I finish off the War Machine, so they can be part of the same set. I plan on using the micro LED lights on this one, just like the 20th Anniversary TARDIS.

Yeti Mk. II from The Web of Fear. While it seems simple, since I already have the Mk. I in the bag, this is actually going to be a pain in the neck, because the face, chest, and hands sculpts are all completely different.

Krarg from Shada. More or less just a yeti body covered in flat plates. I will probably make this hollow out of black resin (or TGlase for filament printers), so that it can be fitted with a red LED so it can glow to simulate the energized Krarg saturated by K9's laser blast.

Spirodon from Planet of the Daleks. This one is a cheat. Using the same fur texture as the Yeti, it's just an empty purple cloak that you can pop a dead Spirodon face into.

IMC Mining Robot from Colony in Space. No more complex than the War Machine and Cleaner Robot.

TYPE 40 Travel Capsule (without chameleon circuit). Another one that should be easy. Pretty much two concentric cylinders.


These figures are more complicated designs that I'm fairly confident I can pull off, but that will either require significant effort on my part, are lower tier monsters nobody particularly cares about, and/or require base models or textures I don't have yet. I may not necessarily get to all of these, but I will try:


Cybermat (larger improved version) from The Wheel in Space. The tiny version that came with the Tomb Cyberman was okay, but I've always has a fondness for the slightly larger version used in The Wheel in Space. I've tried to recreate one before, but the head is tricky. This is one situation where I wish I had better 3D scanning software because I've got a lovely big one that came with my Product Enterprise Cyberman that just needs to be scaled down by about 50%.

Morpho from The Keys of Marinus. A brain in a jar with eye stalks. I'll probably do this one if I do the Voord so they can be part of a set.

Nucleus of the Swarm from The Invisible Enemy. Should be coming sometime in 2021 after I've finished a couple of other projects. It's a tricky sculpt, but I've figured out I can use one of those cheap fiberoptic kid's flashlights for all the hairy spindly bits. Like the Wirrn and Alpha Centauri, this one will also be a finger puppet.

Ice Lord from The Seeds of Death. James Lee has already made one, so this will be a future remix.

Bellal/Exxilon Native from Death to the Daleks. My experiments with trying to reproduce human faces to create a Dominator resulted in something that tragically looked about as good as Bellal's face. Slapping on some "sunglass" eyes and giving him a slightly more "piggy" nose should give me something approximating an Exxilon Native appearance. Smooth out the face a bit, print it dark red, and slap on a burlap cloak, and I've almost got two figures for the price of one.

Monoid from The Ark. Just barely on the edge of my "No Human Faces" rule, since it's mainly a mop top in a collar with an egg in it's mouth. The hardest part is going to be finding a free face sculpt with an open mouth that I can shove the eye into.

White Robot from The Mind Robber. I used to think this one was too complex, but I think it's just about the maximum amount of detail and articulation I can get out of a figure. The hands may be problematic, but overall, I think this one is possible.

Carnival Head Auton from Terror of the Autons. One of our guest designers has already sculpted a lovely mask that can be used with a repainted Editor figure. At some point I'll remix it to create a full body version with the blank face.

Nimon from The Horns of Nimon. The head would be the hardest part to sculpt. Otherwise, I can adapt a Voord body and slap on some hooves and a kilt.

Cybermen Android Guard from Earthshock. While nearly identical to the Raston Warrior Robot (literally, they repainted the same costume silver), I'll need to start over with a different base model because the pose is different.

Arcturus from The Curse of Peladon. A spindly shrunken apple head in a popamatic dome. I have a special fondness for the Peladon stories so even though it'd be a tricky sculpt for something that would only print properly in resin, I'll probably get around to it eventually.

Mire Beast from The Chase. I have a couple of octopus meshes I've downloaded. If I find one that works, I may adapt it, but it'll be a low priority.

The Slyther from The Dalek Invasion of Earth. Another ones James Lee has beat me to.

Mandrel from Nightmare of Eden. Another tricky sculpt, but one I feel confident I'll tackled at some point if nobody else beats me to it.

Macra from The Macra Terror. Big stupid looking crab built onto the back of a Volkswagen. I have some crab meshes I've downloaded, this one may also be possible, but it'll be a low priority, especially as good source images are hard to come by (though I do now have some footage of the models under construction shot by Shawcraft).

Terileptil Android from The Visitation.It's very angular, but has a ton of surface detail and rhinestones. Plus it seems a shame to make one when there isn't a Terileptil to go with it, but a bloke if Character Options suddenly jump back in the game, this one might get bumped up the list.

L1 Robot from The Mysterious Planet. A complicated build for a fairly forgettable robot, but I may make it if I make Drathro. Can be remote controlled like the War Machine and IMC Mining Robot.

Cult of Demnos from Masque of Mandragora. This one is also sort of a cheat. If I can come up with a convincing robe and the creepy removable face masks, the inside can be a golden light up sphere of helix energy!

Clockwork Soldier from The Mind Robber. Entirely possible to construct. Just a super low priority compared to other figures. Would be nice if I could make their hats light up somehow.

Mara from Kinda and Snakedance. It's a giant pink snake. I'm sure I can find a snake model somewhere. If I ever find one that seems similar to the extra cheap inflatable version from Kinda, I may have to build it, just for a laugh.

Total Survival Suit (TSS) from Kinda. Probably possible to sculpt, but the holes where the figures are supposed to stick their arms through might be tricky. Also, less fun without an Adric figure to shove inside it.


Rani's TARDIS (all 3 versions) from Mark of the Rani, Time and the Rani, and Dimensions in Time. One of these has already been built as guest templates. They're simple enough designs, but less fun without a Rani figure to go with them.

Krynoid (Episode 5 version) from Seeds of Doom. This is the "shambling mound" version. Mainly difficult because of all the tentacle protrusions that probably won't print well. Still, it's one of my favorite stories, so I might give it a shot.

Fungoid from The Chase. Apparently also known as a Gubbage Cone, these were the singularly non-threatening looking umbrella-mushroom things from Mechanus. I may try making one eventually out of TPU or another flexible material. I'm thinking I might be able to fake the droopy looped tentacles on the inside by making a bunch of separate loops that just slot into holes.

Animus from The Web Planet. This is basically the top part of a Fungoid on top of a slightly smaller Fungoid, with extra tentacles on top and a light in the bottom. The stringy nature of the tentacles makes this one iffy, but if I attempt the one, I may attempt the other.

Seer from Underworld. AKA the golden toaster-head robot guards in gimp masks. The removable masks are going to be the only real hard part, assuming I find a suitable premade body.

Plasmaton from Time-Flight. The absolute worst monster ever featured on Doctor Who. I will very likely make one at some point as an April Fool's joke. (Hey, I already made the Taran Wood Beast and Meglos)

Imperial Dalek Shuttlecraft from Remembrance of the Daleks. The individual panels are comparatively easy, but the entire thing would need to be assembled modularly. That would take work, plus the entire thing would be about 18" long when assembled! I don't have that much room left on my toy shelf!

Dalek Battle Computer from Remembrance of the Daleks. A comparatively easy sculpt, but you really need a creepy girl action figure to stick inside it.


Optera and Menoptera from The Web Planet. The Menoptera are bordering on insanity, especially considering their wings which would have to be printed out of flexible resin. Their caterpillar underground brethren, the Optera, are a bit easier, though their stubby tentacle dreds may take quite some playing around with to produce something printable.

Kandyman from The Happiness Patrol. Again, lots of fiddly fine detail that may not work out, but I may attempt it just because it's another figure I've always wanted!

Kamelion from The King's Demons and Planet of Fire. This is a big *if* of a figure, probably destined for the end of the run when I've only got complicated stuff left, or when I really feel like a challenge. His face may be smooth and simple enough that I can print it at maximum detail and have it come out okay. Moreso than a lot of figures on the list, I honestly don't know if this one is going to be possible.

Cryon from Attack of the Cybermen. As above. The faces may be smooth and simple enough that I can print at maximum detail and have them come out okay. The dainty human hands and well manicured fingernails... I'm less optimistic about those.

Drathro from The Mysterious Planet. Angular, but lots of points of articulation and the hands look complicated. Also, some of those curved sections may be hard to pull off.

Fish People from The Underwater Menace. Another one just barely on the edge of my "No Human Faces" rule. This one may just barely be possible since the faces are a single color, covered in scales, and the eyes aren't visible. On the other hand, nobody out there is desperately clamoring for a fish person action figure.

Foamasi from The Leisure Hive. Large scaly chameleons with lots of annoying wrinkles. There are parts of this figure I know I could pull off, but I'm not sure about the entire thing.

Chameleons from The Faceless Ones. These squishy faced chameleons have already been sculpted by James Lee. His version is based more on the animated reconstruction, but I will likely remix the figure at some point.



The Myrka from Warriors of the Deep. I hold a special fondness for the derpiest of all Doctor Who monsters, and they don't get much worse than the pantomime horse of the briny deep. There are so many reasons not to even attempt this build. It's massive, has a hard to reproduce texture and muscular system (I'd probably have to try to build it out of frogs and plucked chickens, if such models exist), plus it's got head fins, skin folds, and lots of stringy seaweed looking hangy-downy bits. Building it would be a nightmare, but I sure would love to have one.

Rills from Galaxy 4. It would be nice for my Chumbleys to have some pals. I figure I could probably free-sculpt one in Meshmixer, but it's a lot of work for a lower tier monster most people have never seen.

Vervoid from Terror of the Vervoids. Another ambitious build that's just about possible if I use all my abilities. I'm kind of hoping somebody else ambitious tries it and I can just go in later and remix it.


Koqillion from The Rescue. Same as above. Complex, but possible under the right circumstances.

Gods of Ragnarok from Greatest Show in the Galaxy. Simple enough, but there are a lot of folds in their robes, and I suck at creating convincing cloth folds. I have no doubt it would print okay, but creating the mesh is the first place is the tricky part.

Tractators from Frontios. Like many others, I'm sure it would print fine, it's just an insanely difficult sculpt.

The Whomobile. Chris Jones has already made one. I just need to remix it.

Various ambassadors from The Daleks' Master Plan. Most of these are possible.... just tricky and low priority. I figure one of our guest designers will probably get around to them long before I do.

Seaweed Monster from Fury From the Deep. We only have some blurry 8mm behind the scenes photos to tell us what this monster looked like, and when it was shown, it was entirely covered in foam. I may eventually attempt it just because it's such an obscure monster from a great story.

Cyber Planner from Wheel in Space and The Invasion. This is another incredibly tricky one, mainly because there aren't good reference photos of what it looks like, and what we can see, is all spindly pipes and other little skinny bits that would be a nightmare to print.

The Mallus from The Awakening. I could probably pull off the face-in-the-wall version, but the puppet version would be much trickier and only printable in resin.

The Magma Creature from The Caves of Androzani. A tricky sculpt for a stupid looking forgettable monster. I might get to it.... eventually.

The Ergon from Arc of Infinity. A even trickier sculpt for an even stupider looking monster. However, it's so hideous, I may eventually try it.

The Garm from Terminus. If somebody wants to pay for my plane tickets to England so I can inspect the original costume in Neil Cole's wonderful sci-fi museum, I will gladly start work on this figure right away.

Mestor from The Twin Dilemma. See above.

Bandril from Timelash. I could just about pull one of these off in Meshmixer, and Timelash is my favorite 6th Doctor episode.

Navarinos and Chimeron Soldier from Delta and the Bannermen. Two more aliens glimpsed for half a second. Low on the priority list, but possible.

[3DPrintingDoctorWho]

3D Printing FAQ:

I'll keep adding to this section as questions arise, but here are some of the more common ones:




1) How do I print your stuff?

If you just bought a printer and are entirely new to 3D printing, my best advice is to search youtube for how-to videos for your particular make and model, since they all have minor differences and tricks and tips for optimal printing. but in general you will need to:

• Download the zip file containing the STL files you want to print off the Templates page of my website: https://www.3dprintingdoctorwho.com/templates.html.
  
  
  
• Be sure to read any printing instructions that come with the templates. Next, open the STL or OBJ files in a slicer program to convert them into GCODE that your printer can use. I (and most other people) use CURA for filament printing, which is completely free and probably came with your printer, though there are other programs out there that may have a few additional bells and whistles. The first time you use CURA, you'll need to set global settings that are particular to your printer (like the build area size, resolution, etc.) and then after that, you can adjust per-print settings, (like what fill percentage to use, where to print support structures around the object, and whether to use a Brim or Raft to make it stick to the build plate easier.) These are the typical CURA settings I use for most of my prints:
  
  
  
  
  
• Once finished, you should be able to save the GCODE files onto a SD card that the printer reads (or send directly to the printer via USB if your printer supports that). I prefer using a SD card, so my PC doesn't have to be on while I'm printing.
  
  
  
• After that, the process differs depending on what brand of printer you have, but on mine, I pop the SD card into the printer and power it on, hit "warm-up" and "PLA", wait a minute for it to reach starting temperature, pick off any stray bits of filament that have leaked out, hit "print", choose my GCODE model from the list, wait for it to almost reach target temperature (target for PLA is 220) then spray a couple of quick spurts of hairspray on the platform if it's going to be a large design, let it do the first initial outline for the raft (the solid bit that goes under your print job), quickly pick off any blobby or stringy bits that might interfere with printing, then the hard part.... waiting a couple of hours up to a solid week for it to finish the job.

Resin Printers (like the AnyCubic Photon and Moai that I use) are very similar to filament printers, in that they use a slicing software to split the figure up into layers, but because each layer prints all at once, there's no such thing as an infill percentage. If you want to make something hollow to save on resin, you have to do that yourself through a STL editor like TinkerCAD or MeshMixer beforehand. Since resin printers effectively print upside down in a pool of liquid, the orientation of your pieces are very important, as are drainage holes or extra cavities in the right places to make sure that resin doesn't pool and end up filling what was supposed to be a concave hole. This is one of the reasons why I am going back through my older designs to make them more resin friendly.

There is a learning curve with resin printing, but overall, it is the superior printing method in terms of speed, print quality, and durability.
The trade-off is that most resin printers have quite small build areas, so the really big figures and vehicles (like the Dalek Time Machine, SIDRAT and War Machine) won't fit. Resin is also extremely hard, but will chip and shatter like glass when exposed to enough force or tension. Flexible resins like Siraya Tech's "Tenacious" can be used as an additive (typically a 50%/50% mixture), to create a substance somewhat similar to the plastic used in Character Options figures, where small parts (like fingers) will bend, but anything over about 3mm thick will remain solid.




2) How do I print your stuff if I don't own a 3D printer?

If you do not have a 3D printer of your own, you can use services like 3Dhubs.com to locate local printing services near you. Typically, you would download the files from the Templates page like above, and then upload or email them to the print service to get a price quote. If the design requires multiple copies of the same part (ex: two identical legs) you may need to manually create multiple numbered copies of the files to get accurate pricing when dealing with an automated system.



Rates on 3Dhubs.com will vary greatly depending on the size and complexity of the model, what materials you choose, and how many people in your area can perform the work, but are generally more affordable than going through ridiculously overpriced international services like Shapeways. (The one advantage of Shapeways is that they can do more exotic printing techniques like metal casting, which can lead to some very cool looking customs, though these options will cost your a packet.)

Be warned that a lot of 3D printing services cut corners and save themselves valuable printing time by setting their machines at a much higher layer height than you would normally use at home. This allows them to print significantly faster, but causes all slopes and curves to have a very noticeable ziggurat-like step pattern. You may have to get really specific to ensure you get a quality print, which is another reason to find a local printing service where you can talk to an actual human being. All my figures are designed to be printed at standard 0.1mm (100 micron) layer height unless otherwise noted.

If you are going to pay a 3D printing service to print a figure for you, it is *highly* recommended that you avoid Rough and Beta templates, and wait until I link to a fully tested Finished version. Otherwise you may find yourself out a lot of money for a figure that won't even slot together properly.

Finally, if you plan on printing more than a couple of these designs, especially the larger more elaborate models, you may want to evaluate the long-term cost savings of just buying a printer yourself.
You can get a decent sized filament printer for around $300. This is a costly up-front investment, but the filament itself costs next to nothing and goes a long way. You can usually print 3 to 5 regular sized figures off a single $20 roll of filament, and even my most massive and elaborate design, the TV Movie TARDIS Console Room playset, can be printed using just three rolls of filament (two grey, one brown) and barring misprints, you should still have some left over on each roll when you're done.

Mainly what you're paying for with commercial printing is their time, and something like the TV Movie TARDIS is going to cost you more than the price of a cheap printer, simply because it takes almost a month of continuous printing to finish all the parts.





3) I'm thinking of buying a 3D printer. What type of printer do you recommend?


Printer prices have gone down in recent years, especially for resin printers, so it's now possible to buy a decent filament or resin printer for $200-300.
The main difference between them is print size, print quality, and personal safety.

Filament (FDM) printers often have quite large print areas of 7" x 7" or larger, but have much lower overall print quality. The filament they use is comparatively cheap and safe to handle barehanded. It's essentially a giant hot-glue gun, where the #1 danger is burning yourself on the hot end.

Resin printers are insanely detailed (the cheapest resin printer still prints better than the best filament printer) without any of the warping, layer lines, or other problems associated with the filament printing process. Resin prints are also nearly indestructible, and if you're printing something transparent (like the time rotor or Rutan) clear as glass. You can buy a really good "starter" resin printer, the Anycubic Photon for just $300, but the trade-off is that this and all the other low to mid-range models have a tiny 2.5" x 4.5" print area, which is too small to print the larger vehicles and figures.
To get anything even close to filament printing sizes, you're going to spend a lot of money for a Peopoli Moai 130 printer, which has a more modest 5" x 5" x 7" build area, but still costs a whopping $1300, and that doesn't even include a free bottle of resin. They's also just released a brand new Moai 200 model, which is one of the biggest on the market and will give you a 7" x 7" x 7.5", print area but costs an even more insane $3100!!!

The other downside of resin is that the chemicals used in resin printing are most definitely toxic (about on par with anti-freeze or bleach) as well as flammable, and must be handled responsibly and kept away from small children or animals who may be temped to ingest them. It's also greasy, will stain clothing, and can irritate your skin, so you need to wear gloves when handling it, and a face mask is advisable. I'd also recommend a large vinyl floor mat, especially if you're working indoors, since drips will inevitably happen, since you're working with a liquid.
You will need a dedicated well-ventilated work area that's also away from direct sunlight or other UV sources where you can set up a wash station containing different sized beakers of isopropyl alcohol, an ultrasonic cleaner (or small tub with water and a toothbrush), and a box or other small container where you can set up a UV light for curing. It's about on par with setting up your own personal dark room, so consider that before you dive right in.
In some extreme cases, some people who are chemical sensitive have been known to have bad reactions to it, similar to the way that some people are allergic to latex, so be careful, and if you suddenly start breaking out in hives or having trouble breathing, for goodness sake, stop.

Resin itself costs around $30 to $40 a bottle, unless you want to go with some of the fancier stuff with special properties, which can go for $60 to $100 a bottle. As far as I can tell, you get about the same amount of "build" out of a bottle of resin as you do a roll of filament, but filament costs about $20 to $30 tops. Resin also has a shorter shelf life (about a year) and you can't just leave it sitting around in the machine. It lasts longer in a completely dark environment (like inside a cabinet) and you can use a resin strainer to strain it back into the bottle, but typically, after it's been sitting around for a few days, you're going to need to pour it into a ziplock and put it out in the sunshine so it can cure into a solid and be properly disposed of. (DO NOT flush it or pour it into the gutter. As I've said, it is a toxic chemical and dangerous to wildlife.)








5) What 3D Printer do you use for your own figures?

I currently own three printers, though I've owned four total.

I used to have a Monoprice Maker Select Plus, which is a standard 100 Micron (0.10 mm) resolution mid-ranged filament printer that retails for about $399 and a Monoprice Maker Ultimate, which is a 20 micron (0.02 mm) HD filament printer that retails for $699 (you can get both cheaper if you buy open box)

I recently ditched the Maker Select plus in favor of an Anycubic Photon resin printer, which costs about $300 but occasionally goes on sale on Amazon, and a large-sized Peopoli Moai 130 printer, which usually costs $1300, but I got used and super cheap because I knew a guy.






6) What brands of filament/resin do you recommend?


The answer to this question can change with the wind, but nowadays, I try to print with PLA+ filament, which is slightly harder and stronger and tends to print fine detail significantly better, or Flex PLA, which as far as I can tell, is a mixture of standard PLA and the more flexible TPU filament. Flex PLA isn't that flexible, but useful for smallish thin parts (Like Wirrn legs) that you're worried about snapping off the first time you drop the model on the floor.

I typically buy my PLA+ from eSUN (Who list it as PLA Pro, and have a fairly decent color selection) and my Flex PLA from Paramount, who I'm fond of for filament in general since their stuff isn't too expensive, the company is operated out of the US (which may make their level of quality control a bit higher), and they tell you the exact Pantone color the filament is supposed to match (ex: British Racing Car Green 3435c) so you always know what you're getting and can be reasonably certain that if you reorder several months later, you'll be getting the same color as what you bought previously, even if it came from a different batch.

For resin, I usually just print with Anycubic and Elegoo brands (I think Elegoo may be slightly better, and has less of an odor) but if you want to print super durable and slightly flexible figures, you will absolutely need to pick up some Tenacious resin by Siraya Tech. This stuff is transparent and has the consistency of rubber when printed on it's own, but when mixed with other resin as an additive (usually a 50/50% mix) it will give smallish parts of about 3mm or less some slight flexibility, and protect your figures from chipping or snapping if you ever drop them.






7) How do I edit your designs to make my own changes/customizations?

If you don't have your own CAD software, the easiest way is to go to https://www.tinkercad.com/users/j5XjLLt ... oyryanwood, or follow the Rough link off of the Templates page, and click on the big blue "Tinker This" button.

This will allow you to take a copy of my current "live" design and edit to your heart's content within TinkerCAD. Once you've made the changes, highlight the shape(s) you've changed and use the "export" button to save them as a STL or OBJ file.

Otherwise, you can also download the STL files, and edit them offline using any number of CAD programs. As long as you can find software that works with STL and/or OBJ files, you should be able to edit any of my designs. I also use Meshmixer quite a bit for my more organic sculpts, though it has a much steeper learning curve, and you'll have to eyeball everything and get used to mashing the undo button a lot, since it's designed for sculpting organic shapes like clay rather than the precision measured work of TinkerCAD.

[3DPrintingDoctorWho]

Finished Figure Gallery

I've been remiss in showing off some of my painted models, so here's some shots of what they look like finished (or nearly finished)

[CaptainJimiPie]

If it's alright with you, I'm going to see if I can get this thread made sticky, it's a very useful one for everyone so I thought it should get a top spot

[3DPrintingDoctorWho]

If it's alright with you, I'm going to see if I can get this thread made sticky, it's a very useful one for everyone so I thought it should get a top spot

Yeah, fine with me. I'm also cool with other people posting to it if they've come up with a 3D printable model since it's become more of a collaborative effort than it was when I first started.

[3DPrintingDoctorWho]

Okay, that should be all the housekeeping done. The first five posts have been broken down into separate sections that should hopefully make it easier to find the important stuff once this thread gets back up to a 17 page monstrosity.

1) Project Introduction and Rules
2) List of Available Templates
3) To-Do List (and 'Nope' List)
4) 3D Printing FAQ
5) Finished Figure Gallery

Regular WIP updates should recommence shortly.
I'm in a bit of a holding pattern at the moment, as it's too hot (108° in Sacramento yesterday!) to go out and paint in the garage, and I'm waiting on one of my Facebook friends to finish printing the final resin pieces I need for the TV Movie TARDIS time rotor, but he's having complications with his machine and/or curing process.

[Rackers96]

I don't know if you allow this sort of thing, but I have designed an 8th doctor sonic screwdriver that is designed to collapse like the prop does, and if you put a spring in it, it would be spring loaded, I figure its something CO will never produce.

If you don't want it on your thread, please feel free to delete!

It is completely untested, and I dont even know if it will come out right it is the first thing I have ever 3D modelled.

Picture1.jpg

[3DPrintingDoctorWho]

I don't know if you allow this sort of thing, but I have designed an 8th doctor sonic screwdriver that is designed to collapse like the prop does, and if you put a spring in it, it would be spring loaded, I figure its something CO will never produce.

If you don't want it on your thread, please feel free to delete!

It is completely untested, and I dont even know if it will come out right it is the first thing I have ever 3D modelled.

Send me the TinkerCAD link (as long as you've made it sharable) and what name you want it attributed to, and I'll put it up on the guest page.