I finally was able to get back to writing up the review.
Noch 3-D printed N scale figures
I bought couple of sets from DM-Toys for evaluation. My opinion is mixed. In some ways these are far superior to standard hand-painted plastic figures, yet they also look a bit weird.
Keep in mind that when viewing the photos in this thread on you home PC's 20" or larger screen, you will see the figures greatly magnified. Both, the nice details, and some of the problematic things will be apparent, while likely not visible when viewed in-person. If you view the forum on a smart phone screen - never mind.
Noch3D_PrintedFigures01.jpgHere's the packaging of one of the sets I purchased. The other set has seated figures and a park bench.
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Noch3D_PrintedFigures08.jpgThese two photos show the front and back of the figures. I also included a Preiser figure in each row for comparison. The amount of color details is outstanding, especially considering these are N scale. Not something one would see on a hand-painted factory produced figure, even from company like Preiser which makes excellent quality figures.
Details such as multiple colors on the men's backpack, including even some straps, or his white-and-yellow baseball cap. The other man is checking the time on his wristwatch which is also quite apparent. Again, this is in N Scale. Even the figure's facial features are visible. On the rear, several figures show the color if their pants or skirts is visible in the split in the coattails.
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Noch3D_PrintedFigures04.jpgUnder even higher magnification, some of the weird things show up clearly. While things like facial features are very nice, the figures appear to be coated with what to me looks like ice glaze, with the color (dye?) applied to that glazed layer. And the colors are translucent. To me it seems that the core of each figure is printed using opaque white resin, then the outer layer is printed using clear resin, and then the translucent color is applied to the clear layer. The "ice" artifact is quite apparent on the redhead's bag and its strap, the suitcases, and the bill on the guy's baseball hat. And then there is that overall shiny appearance. Also, the color seems to be rather pale on the surfaces viewed straight on, but much darker in depressions and on the edges, almost as if it was similar to weathering washes which settle darker in creases and depressions.
Noch3D_PrintedFigures05.jpgClose-up of the guy checking his wristwatch next to a Preiser lady. That lady is one of more recent Preiser figures (not made in Germany). Older, German-made figures looked a bit better, but I grabbed the first one I found.
Noch3D_PrintedFigures06.jpgCouple more close-ups showing the glaze effect.
Here are few photos of the other, seated figures set.
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Noch3D_PrintedFigures13.jpgThese again show the incredible amount of color details, and the strange wash-like effect where the garment colors seem lighter on the surface and darker in recesses. This is especially apparent on the purple blouse of the blond lady. This shadow/highlight effect actually looks better in photos than when viewed in-person. The child figure (and some other figures) also show some 3-D printing artifacts. I do like seeing that the older gentleman is actually wearing eyeglasses, and the men in the blue jacket seems to have a beard.
I'm on the fence about these. While the color detail is outstanding, the "warts" of the glaze and translucent colors are a bit of a let-down. But this is new technology, so as the technology advances, the quality will get better. Sort of like with the MTL ink-jet decorated rolling stock. Early models were not great, but fast-forward several years, and the current offerings are excellent.
And no, I didn't include my obligatory dime in my photos. I forgot, but trust me, these are N scale figures.
EDIT:
Since I took those photos some time ago (I only recently compiled the info and created the write-up), to took a second look. Viewed in-person, the glossiness is not really very apparent. Only the heavy set lady looks a bit glossy. The translucent colors are most apparent/distracting to me. But that might be because for years I'm used to seeing figures finished using opaque paints, so the 3-D printed ones just look sort of strange. But I think I'm warming up to them.
