New Technology in Figure Sculpting

[T50]

Gents,
check out these links:
http://www.gundam-hardgraph.net/special/secretstory.html
http://www.gundam-hardgraph.net/special/secretstory_02.html

Japanese company is making a miniature figure (1/35) by
scanning/digitalizing a person into data and machine-carving.
But take a close look at the machine-carved prototype and the
finished figure. There are significant difference between these
two.

Taesung

 

[blaster]

Death Knell for Figure Sculptors

Dear Taesung,

You have just signalled the above and the end of our hobby.

Rgds Victor

 

[Bone]

That's pretty impressive. But I must admit I'm suprised it hasn't been done sooner. The technology's been there and toy makers have been using such techniques to copy toys.

Now what would be REALLY impressive is if they could reproduce the skin texture on a bust like Roy Hunt's latest!

One wonders, would we one day see such figures in detailed painted form too???

~ Basil

 

[Tarok]

Next stage in evolution

This "new" way of sculpting & producing figures has been discussed before on HF/Kitmaker and TLF.

In this age of computers and technology I don't think this is the death knell for sculptors as Victor above says, I think we are merely seeing the next step in the evolution of sculpting and model making. I think with 3D posing software being improved on virtually a daily basis and though companies like Print-a-Part we will see a glut of new-age "sculptors" come to the fore. Perhaps even the traditional role of the model company will change from selling completed figures to selling designs.

Do I think this is going to happen overnight? Not likely. I think traditional sculptors and companies will be around fore many years to come. When the automobile age began we didn't see blacksmiths and farriers being instantly replaced by mechanics.

Wasn't it too long ago that resin figures started to replace white metal? Didn't we see the same outcry then? Aren't metal figures still around?

I say let's embrace this new technology, while always continuing to support our roots (the traditional model companies). You never know, this sort of thing may just be what the model industry needs to survive the next generation.

Just a few random thoughts...

 

[tonydawe]

Hi guys,

New technology will eventually make it possible for someone with no artistic talent or skill to produce an army of fully rendered miniature military figures with the touch of a button, without any sculpting or painting required.

Where's the fun in that??

Call me "old fashioned" but I like the process of taking little lumps of resin/ metal/ plastic and transforming them into something unqiue.

Cheers

 

[garyjd]

With time comes change. Maybe one day machines/computers will COMPLETELY make sculptors obsolete. I more than likely will NOT live to see it happen if/when it does. It would be interesting to see if the technology would have the ability to produce figures in different styles and not just perfect knock offs from life. One thing to consider is the cost of such technology. I'm sure it's something not everyone will be able to afford. As impressive as it may be, nothing beats watching one of our peers create something from scratch.~Gary

 

[gorgosaurus]

Ah. yes, human inventiveness and technology takes it´s toll.

I don´t suppose there are many of us figure modellers anymore who spend much time whittling branches or antler down to create our figures.

Or mixing our own pigments...

Spike.

 

[vergilius]

I studied to become an illustrator and now everybody can do it very easily on the computer, just don't give them a pencil an some sheets of paper! Same with photography. I guess this will happen with our hobby too. Strange it took them so long.
I remember an interview with Elton John about real old fashion musicians and the new generation. He just said, it's all fine but what happens when the computer breaks down?

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Anyone remember this thread?
http://www.planetfigure.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15119

Cheers

 

[blaster]

Death Knell for All Figure modellers, not just sculptors

Hi all,

Cando, Dragon and Tamiya are now producing ready assembled and painted 1/35 figures. You can also get ready built airplanes and armoured vehicles of very good quality. Welcome to the age of the "Collectables" (not my spelling).

Gorgosaurus, your icon truly hits the mark.

Rgds,

Victor

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Hi all,

Cando, Dragon and Tamiya are now producing ready assembled and painted 1/35 figures. You can also get ready built airplanes and armoured vehicles of very good quality. Welcome to the age of the "Collectables" (not my spelling).

Gorgosaurus, your icon truly hits the mark.

Rgds,

Victor

I think thats just another side of the coin. The reason we are in it is very seldom that we collect. We like painting and making them correct.

I would never buy anything prepainted as I know I could make it so much better myself. The comission painters could experience a dip in business. However, I dont think this will effect the top-painters customers as they want quality.

Cheers

 

[martinmack]

I'm generally a lurker and while I don't have much insight to offer on the topics that are discussed on the forums here, I think we can take an example from the art world. It always seems that the greatest value is placed on art that shows the touch of the artists hand, not the touch of a digital pen or a 3D printer...There's no doubt there will be a market for a digitally created figure, but I also think there will always be a market for a well crafted figure that shows the touch of a human hand. I hope so anyway, because I'd really hate to see all you amazing craftsmen and women stop doing what you're doing....it's inspiring to view your work and here's hoping it continues for a very long time!

 

[Roc]

Amazing what technology can do today. Now, if they can only make a robot to do my chores around the house.


Cheers
Roc

 

[eissteban]

Personally i have some "Collectables ready to watch", but i'll continue to create my own soldiers even if technology give us superb stuffs !!!

It's fun to sculpt or paint 2 or 3 times a face or a uniform before a good result, isn't it ? (heu ... Yes only sometimes)

Seb.

 

[T50]

When photography was invented, I'm sure people thought that it would be
the end of portrait and landscape painters.

Anyone with good taste will still appreciate things that are hand-made
with fine artistry and craftsmanship. I guess this will be the point where
such people will be separated from the "mass" public. But I thought that
"we" already are those who enjoy finer things in life such as well-sculpted/
painted figures...!

I only hope that the value of hand sculpted figures will go up as we
encounter more and more of computer/machine generated figures.

 

[bonehead]

Taesung,

I am not too worried about this technology. At least for now, it is out of reach for most manufacturers, being costly and using sophisticated technology. And, if you look at the original piece out of the machine, and the final sculpt, you can see much hand-work had been done to make it usable. This work requires a talented sculptor to get good results.

But, well, that drapery on ther pants is hard to argue with. In the meantime, I am still working. It hasn't hurt me yet.

 

[renarts]

While it certainly poses an alarming cloud on the horizon its still all smoke and mirrors.

Despite the amount of money that may be thrown at it, it still can't reproduce undercuts or deep recesses. The technology just isn't there for that. Frankly I'm not worried about it. I don't think there is enough of a market drive to push it in that direction either. Geez, look at the energy industry. Wars are started over oil yet no one is even seriously trying to come up with new technology to replace that. This is a gnat on the ass of the corporate and industrial technology elephant.

Nor do I see it as a means to lower pricing. As things like this usually work it will cost more to pay for the fancy computer and interface and geek support team to keep it running, making prices go up rather than down.

This is still a ahnd made industry and will likely stay that way for a while yet.

 

[Einion]

Despite the amount of money that may be thrown at it, it still can't reproduce undercuts or deep recesses. The technology just isn't there for that.

Actually some of the 3D prototyping methods are perfectly capable of reproducing undercuts, even voids within the piece if that were required.

Prior threads on CMON with more info:
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/viewthread.php?tid=9183
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/viewthread.php?tid=13343

There's a link in one of those for the site that produces these nifty little metal items:

How's that for recesses?!

Einion

 

[romain]

hummm that is maybe a possibility for producing miniature in the future . But I am not sure that this is the end of the sculptor . A machine can't imagine a " style " Each sculptor has his own style , and no machine can reproduce that . And a lot of people don't like when miniature are too detailed and too realistic .

 

[je_touche]

As a figure maker I appriciate new technologies that could make modelling a bit easier while not taking the special something out off our hobby that makes us love it so much.

Personally, I find making technical models rather annoying, such as weapons, accoutrements, and stuff. So why not using new computer technologies to design, and produce stuff like that? I am sure machines could do this much more precisely and more to scale than any human modeller could - though, admittedly, some of you guys achieve amazing results without the aid of a computer.

On the other hand, no machine will ever be able to do those things that need the eyes and hands of an artist, such as posing a figure, or even more so posing several figures to interact in a vignette or diorama, and all things concerning 'style', facial expressions, folds of clothing, let alone historical research and all the little decisions that have to be taken when designing a figure from scratch. At least there will always be a human designer to do that, even if he will use a computer in the near future.