I thought this sounded familiar so my initial reaction was "isn't this already a thing?".
After reading the other comments, and the article canis36 linked, now I know it was supposed to be a thing but business failure derailed it.
Depending on the price, I might be interested. I am a cheapskate but I've been known to splurge. But, I doubt it'd be in my price range even if I felt like splurging. As more details emerge, I'll be better able to decide.
Here's hoping it pans out this time.
Hello. My name is iamynaught and I am an altaholic.
Hey, BTW, Stephen Ricossa and I are going to be on the stream this afternoon at 3pm PT to talk about the ships, show some of the finished models off, and other fun things.
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rattler2Member, Star Trek Online ModeratorPosts: 58,577Community Moderator
As much as I would love to have a model of the Lexington...
I'd have to just settle for being happy this is an option again. If it does work out this time, I can see a lot of happy people.
I'm not sure its fair to patronize Cryptic for what happened in 2016. They had no control over the situation and obviously did not expect their partners to shut down their doors.
I would consider the last failed attempt a Force Majeure situation and I believe the probabilities of something like this happening again are rather insignificant and should not merit our attention.
Great for keeping at it and finally finding a new partner to get that project going! I'll be keeping an eye out, if prices are fair I will purchase a few for sure.
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rattler2Member, Star Trek Online ModeratorPosts: 58,577Community Moderator
Yea... but that company went under. Sounds like this one is a lot more stable and established.
As someone above noted, there's a lot of corporate blah on the partner's website, and very little actual information on pricing.
For what its worth, the 3D printing company they were going to partner with last time had prices in the $120 range for most models, with some going as low as $90 for smaller models.
Given these are stated as all 12 inch models, my guess would be $120+, and likely extra for handpainting. That's not counting any possible discounts for the 20 'most popular' models, which they will presumably print in larger numbers.
Just a guess based on last time though. No evidence either way with this new company.
Reasonable estimate going by the other prepainted resin models out there (like the X-Wing Miniatures frigates). I mean, ADB have started releasing resin miniatures for Star Fleet Battles on Shapeways for around $20 for a 3" unpainted Constitution printed in the best resin they do for detailed models, which is about usual for that stuff. Add a chunk more since they're customised.
I'm not sure its fair to patronize Cryptic for what happened in 2016. They had no control over the situation and obviously did not expect their partners to shut down their doors.
I would consider the last failed attempt a Force Majeure situation and I believe the probabilities of something like this happening again are rather insignificant and should not merit our attention.
Great for keeping at it and finally finding a new partner to get that project going! I'll be keeping an eye out, if prices are fair I will purchase a few for sure.
I am not sure I would classify most as "patronizing". People are just skeptical, because we have been down this road before. Given the amount of notice Cryptic had before the last company closed its doors, it is not unreasonable to consider the same MIGHT happen again. Granted, I fully expect Cryptic took time to vet this company. No doubt they do not want a repeat of last time any more then the users do. Still, you can't really control what happens to another company. So I don't think a little skepticism on what may or may not happen is unwarranted.
I'm not sure its fair to patronize Cryptic for what happened in 2016. They had no control over the situation and obviously did not expect their partners to shut down their doors.
I would consider the last failed attempt a Force Majeure situation and I believe the probabilities of something like this happening again are rather insignificant and should not merit our attention.
Great for keeping at it and finally finding a new partner to get that project going! I'll be keeping an eye out, if prices are fair I will purchase a few for sure.
Not sure what you mean by "patronize Cryptic" but I bring up the 2016 announcement as a way of saying "I'll believe it is happening this time when I see a means to order, not just an excited press release". It took monts for another site to tell the STO crowd that 3D printed ships were not coming after all.
Hand painted sculptures typically start at $150. Their price point is usually about half that with casting, shipping and then of course dissidents who work for free in labor camps. Check out Randy Bowen as a guide.
If they are hiring non-prison labor expect the price to easily double. As it should be.
If I go with this I expect a level of finish that comes from multi-million dollar printers. Collectible quality, something that makes Franklin Mint look tame. I can buy Franklin Mint pewter casts for well under $200 US but they are very well done.
Anyone that has seen hobby 3d prints know they look very poor, grainy and bubbly. The ones most people see have had tens of hours to smooth them out. Most folks wouldn't pay for that level of love and attention.
There are already folks who take model kits, bash them, and make wonderful art. But you pay for their time.
It was a good stream with Fatum & Ricossa. Good for Ricossa to stay the course of this passion too. Certain details they weren't willing to reveal, yet, but they still presented good information & excitement for this attempt at 3D printing of STO ships. There is a lot of detail on that Pathfinder model. Hopefully all models would be that detailed for the upper tier models. In the future this will become more prevalent with ratio scaling too, possible articulation, & probably miniatures if there's not already. Something to think about Cryptic & Mixed Dimensions for possible more sales. Also, if it is this way, why limit the ship model a player can have 3D printed to only a ship model owned in STO. That sounds like a limited bad business decision to me that's unnecessary. There's all sorts of gimmick marketing that could be done: have a 3D ship model printed get it free or price reduced in STO, or a pet version for in-game, or an oldie but goody with Cryptic why not Lock-Box-sell-it with pay this price & you'll be shipped the model Cryptic/Mixed Dimensions decides upon not you. It'll probably be priced too high for my taste anyways, but I applaud this type partnership & effort! Hell, all prices in STO are recently inflating.
I don't see this anywhere, but can we get kitbashes? Please say yes! Some of the ships I would get produced are kitbashes that I loved making. Please let this be a thing.
...also yes, I'll buy more than one. I need one for each of the factions.
Why not just add the printing functionality into the game itself? Hook up a printer, select the ship/scale you want, click print... I can paint it myself, thanks.
Back in the 70s I remember using AMT model kits to build the Enterprise NCC-1701 and the Klingon D-7 and rhe Romulan Bird of Prey. Oh and even the Galeleo Seven. And the kit that made a Phaser, a Communicator and a Tricorder. Most of those kits were about $14 or $15. A fine time on any Saturday Afternoon.
:: old man begins to mumble about fun with model glue before falling a sleep again ::
I don't see this anywhere, but can we get kitbashes? Please say yes! Some of the ships I would get produced are kitbashes that I loved making. Please let this be a thing.
...also yes, I'll buy more than one. I need one for each of the factions.
It would depend on what you mean by Kitbashing. If you mean adding parts not existing in game, like Andorian Escort wings to a Defiant hull, then no. My understanding is you can only do ship possible in STO. Now, based on how they described it, it sounds like, with a few exception, any ship in game can be printed.
I'm cautiously optimistic about this, but the potential cost is a concern. I would love to have my Galaxy X and the Enterprise F, but I'm unable to pay an arm and leg for them. Also, being Canadian, shipping might be an issue.
Hey, since the stream pointed out how fleet logos will be included... my fleet's logo has been corrupted and unusable pretty much since the fleet system was added. No matter how any of us edit it, we can't apply it to uniforms or ships.
We've filed bugs and reports many, many times over the years, but never had a response. How can we get that fixed before printing out ships?
A lot of details up in the air about this honestly and those details will need to be explained rather soon before people go looking to get one of these. i really hope cryptic have all the details in hand or it will end up in a real bad way before long.
T6 Miranda Hero Ship FTW. Been around since Dec 2010 on STO and bought LTS in Apr 2013 for STO.
Comments
After reading the other comments, and the article canis36 linked, now I know it was supposed to be a thing but business failure derailed it.
Depending on the price, I might be interested. I am a cheapskate but I've been known to splurge. But, I doubt it'd be in my price range even if I felt like splurging. As more details emerge, I'll be better able to decide.
Here's hoping it pans out this time.
Losing faith in humanity, one person at a time.
We come in peace, SHOOT TO KILL!
I'd have to just settle for being happy this is an option again. If it does work out this time, I can see a lot of happy people.
I'm not sure its fair to patronize Cryptic for what happened in 2016. They had no control over the situation and obviously did not expect their partners to shut down their doors.
I would consider the last failed attempt a Force Majeure situation and I believe the probabilities of something like this happening again are rather insignificant and should not merit our attention.
Great for keeping at it and finally finding a new partner to get that project going! I'll be keeping an eye out, if prices are fair I will purchase a few for sure.
Reasonable estimate going by the other prepainted resin models out there (like the X-Wing Miniatures frigates). I mean, ADB have started releasing resin miniatures for Star Fleet Battles on Shapeways for around $20 for a 3" unpainted Constitution printed in the best resin they do for detailed models, which is about usual for that stuff. Add a chunk more since they're customised.
I am not sure I would classify most as "patronizing". People are just skeptical, because we have been down this road before. Given the amount of notice Cryptic had before the last company closed its doors, it is not unreasonable to consider the same MIGHT happen again. Granted, I fully expect Cryptic took time to vet this company. No doubt they do not want a repeat of last time any more then the users do. Still, you can't really control what happens to another company. So I don't think a little skepticism on what may or may not happen is unwarranted.
Not sure what you mean by "patronize Cryptic" but I bring up the 2016 announcement as a way of saying "I'll believe it is happening this time when I see a means to order, not just an excited press release". It took monts for another site to tell the STO crowd that 3D printed ships were not coming after all.
With or without the hints of blue I added.
If they are hiring non-prison labor expect the price to easily double. As it should be.
If I go with this I expect a level of finish that comes from multi-million dollar printers. Collectible quality, something that makes Franklin Mint look tame. I can buy Franklin Mint pewter casts for well under $200 US but they are very well done.
Anyone that has seen hobby 3d prints know they look very poor, grainy and bubbly. The ones most people see have had tens of hours to smooth them out. Most folks wouldn't pay for that level of love and attention.
There are already folks who take model kits, bash them, and make wonderful art. But you pay for their time.
I MIGHT make a TOS'ifed Konnie if the prices are not cut throat.
Glad they've worked out another deal after the first debacle.
Orion Corsair shall be mine!
...also yes, I'll buy more than one. I need one for each of the factions.
Back in the 70s I remember using AMT model kits to build the Enterprise NCC-1701 and the Klingon D-7 and rhe Romulan Bird of Prey. Oh and even the Galeleo Seven. And the kit that made a Phaser, a Communicator and a Tricorder. Most of those kits were about $14 or $15. A fine time on any Saturday Afternoon.
:: old man begins to mumble about fun with model glue before falling a sleep again ::
It would depend on what you mean by Kitbashing. If you mean adding parts not existing in game, like Andorian Escort wings to a Defiant hull, then no. My understanding is you can only do ship possible in STO. Now, based on how they described it, it sounds like, with a few exception, any ship in game can be printed.
We've filed bugs and reports many, many times over the years, but never had a response. How can we get that fixed before printing out ships?
Been around since Dec 2010 on STO and bought LTS in Apr 2013 for STO.