Digital Trees

[Scottl]

I would definitely put more supports on the lower trunk .  Thankfully I'm far away from my printer so I can learn from the experience of y'all doing initial test prints 

The problem with printing trees, even in multiples on the plate, is that these tall prints take a long time.  Seems like a great way to burn out the printer while covering little layout forest cover.  Still pretty excited to see where this can go.

[C855B]

I would definitely put more supports on the lower trunk .

So would I. But for some strange reason the slicer wouldn't let me. My next attempt will be with Chitubox, although I'm not fond* of the latest version.

* - Yeah. No s---. It's slow on my Mac, and when I do things like select the supports screen, it hangs the system, so bad I had to power-off boot just a few minutes ago.

[Sokramiketes]

So would I. But for some strange reason the slicer wouldn't let me. My next attempt will be with Chitubox, although I'm not fond* of the latest version.

* - Yeah. No s---. It's slow on my Mac, and when I do things like select the supports screen, it hangs the system, so bad I had to power-off boot just a few minutes ago.

Thanks for the warning.  I'm also using a mac and am not sure I've updated Chitubox in awhile. 

[Sokramiketes]

I would definitely put more supports on the lower trunk .  Thankfully I'm far away from my printer so I can learn from the experience of y'all doing initial test prints 

The problem with printing trees, even in multiples on the plate, is that these tall prints take a long time.  Seems like a great way to burn out the printer while covering little layout forest cover.  Still pretty excited to see where this can go.

Yeah, if you're trying to build a large home layout in 3-4 years, there are certain consessions to be made in terms of area covered versus time spent.  Even the efforts of Supertrees or wirebrush trees can be daunting. 

I suppose I look at most things at the "how can I make a great scene on a module" these days.  That's 20 years of Modutrak experience... which leaves even me surprised at how big and detailed the overall layout has become.  It turned into the "large home layout dream" in a slightly different factor. 

And, as I explore P:48, I'm thinking through the same on my first 5 ft long scene.  3D printed trees are certainly attainable, and preferred for me and my interests in how to spend hobby time!   

[Lemosteam]

Good questions. There is enough detail on the trunks that I think resin printing is worth it.

And I hope this shows the branch bending.
(Attachment Link)

I am impressed!  I have some Siraya tough to try.

How did the printer manage the build plate-pointing branches without some type of support?

Are the trunk supports the only ones you added or did you run some up to the tips of the branches?

[Sokramiketes]

I am impressed!  I have some Siraya tough to try.

How did the printer manage the build plate-pointing branches without some type of support?

Are the trunk supports the only ones you added or did you run some up to the tips of the branches?

On that tree, and its shape, I only manually added at some of the low points in the lower branches.  I was thinking through the branches that were downward or horizontal needing some assistance.  I left the upper structure alone for the most part, as branches then inclined upward pretty well.

The ones that don't, or the upper branches that still had a downward turn or bend... Well it worked.  I think what happens, as the build plate is out of the picture, that you get an island formed on the FEP that doesn't connect to the tree.  Until the branch structure catches up to that point again. 

The island doesn't get much thicker... maybe a bit of elephant footing occurs, but since the model nor the build plate are there to tear it from the FEP, it just hangs out at a layer's worth of thickness. 

Ultimately, you might see a flat spot on the lower side of a branch.  But it's so minimal and would take so much effort to clean up or support, that it just works. 

[Sokramiketes]

Here's a reminder of my support eduguestimate:

[davefoxx]

This is really cool!  Now, somebody make a HO scale Longleaf Pine.  Should be cake compared to a deciduous tree.  (Hint, hint.)

Kudzos!
DFF

[Lemosteam]

Here's a reminder of my support eduguestimate:

Perfect, that is exactly what I envisioned.

[OldEastRR]

OK. So is anybody thinking of making and selling these kinds of trees to us poor 3D printer-impaired modelers? Does anybody have any ideas on what each one would cost us-- listed by size, type tree, detail level, etc.?

[Iain]

This is really cool!  Now, somebody make a HO scale Longleaf Pine.  Should be cake compared to a deciduous tree.  (Hint, hint.)

Kudzos!
DFF

and n scale, too

[timwatson]

It's awesome how this has taken off!

Please share the trees you create on Printables we can all benefit from the R&D efforts. After all there are many types of trees in many forests.
I am going to play with the SpeedTree software next. Thanks for the inspiration and the tutorial @Sokramiketes

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Bob Hundman is looking down at this and smiling.

[Chris333]

This guy on Twitter keeps posting stuff about 3D printed foliage
https://x.com/ArtsKino

[sirenwerks]

This guy on Twitter keeps posting stuff about 3D printed foliage
https://x.com/ArtsKino

OMG, that pampas grass he prints is amazing.