Can I commission 3d shells?

[Jesse6669]

Then prototyping any of the 3D printed parts, laser cut parts, etc...  Lots of iterations, which is time and money.

I go back and forth scores of times getting things right in the printing/beta test/design tweaking phase.  As a plus, I end up with a lot of 2nds to practice my painting and weathering, or send to people who are ok with 2nds.

[JeffB]

I go back and forth scores of times getting things right in the printing/beta test/design tweaking phase.  As a plus, I end up with a lot of 2nds to practice my painting and weathering, or send to people who are ok with 2nds.

Exactly!  Seconds or early iterations are perfect for trying out new paint or painting techniques.  As you start getting close to the "production" version, the parts are good for doing test assembly of multipart assemblies (or a kit).  I have a pretty good collection of assembled, but throw away models that were done that way.

I try to avoid giving people 2nds...  I want them to experience the fully developed part, rather than having to tweak something that's not quite all the way there.  But that's me...

Jeff

[John]

I will give you another datapoint .. back in 2022 I worked on a model for @RockGp40 .. a simple box with some bits and bobs .. louvers and such to fit on top of a ConCor mech .. now, my 3D skills sucked (actually they still do compared to some of the masters here). I probably had 5 test prints, 20 or so hours design time - for what was a relatively simple and crude model compared to what people are doing now .. It takes a lot of time .. virtually all my projects, be they structures, or details normally end up being a multi iteration effort.

[Pizzaparty]

I’ve never minded seconds, it’s nice to practice painting with different techniques or brands of paint

[Chris333]

I didn't design this for anyone, but myself, still when done I put the files up online:
https://www.printables.com/model/528961-hon30-climax

Someone had a buddy print it. Print came out good. Then over a month of explaining exactly what I did to power it, with photos and video. Hey ended up using this because you can just slap a Kato chassis under it:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/226612283787

I put in so much "time" working with this guy just for him to end up with a cartoon of a toy train.