3D printing: Impact on the Hobby
Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 11:59 am
Hey all,
Not sure if this has been discussed here, however what are your thoughts and opinions on 3D printing? I know we are several years from a unit that could create a 28mm model to the level of detail we have come to love, however, it will hit, and when it does, how will it change the wargaming landscape?
Games Workshop being the example I will focus on as they have the biggest slice, also the biggest (by far) shop front which would be largely affected. Considering the need for resin with these printers are already easily accessible on the internet, paints, flocks and brushes are items probably best suited to online purchase. The size in which these printers can cater for will increase in time so it seems acceptable that the larger kits could take longer to be 3D printed, however can be done in component parts.
I can see these going the way of the Dataslate? The digital right to print an item X amount of times, this would require a GW licensed software to monitor these purchases and prints. This could see the slow decline in shop fronts. And lets face it, plenty of talented people out there would be more than happy to create these models and give them out for free.
So how do you think the industry will adapt when this future comes?
I would also like to note that many thought high st book shops were a thing of the past when the Ebook arrived (time will tell though)
Thoughts?
Elvis
Not sure if this has been discussed here, however what are your thoughts and opinions on 3D printing? I know we are several years from a unit that could create a 28mm model to the level of detail we have come to love, however, it will hit, and when it does, how will it change the wargaming landscape?
Games Workshop being the example I will focus on as they have the biggest slice, also the biggest (by far) shop front which would be largely affected. Considering the need for resin with these printers are already easily accessible on the internet, paints, flocks and brushes are items probably best suited to online purchase. The size in which these printers can cater for will increase in time so it seems acceptable that the larger kits could take longer to be 3D printed, however can be done in component parts.
I can see these going the way of the Dataslate? The digital right to print an item X amount of times, this would require a GW licensed software to monitor these purchases and prints. This could see the slow decline in shop fronts. And lets face it, plenty of talented people out there would be more than happy to create these models and give them out for free.
So how do you think the industry will adapt when this future comes?
I would also like to note that many thought high st book shops were a thing of the past when the Ebook arrived (time will tell though)
Thoughts?
Elvis