3-d Printing In The Taxidermy Industry

I had thought about that also but dont know much about 3D printing

 

I’m just playing devil’s advocate here, but what is the end game? Use a computer to make a perfect copy of something in nature? That’s way to easy in my opinion, That would completely take out the artistic ability and craftsmanship involved. Have a computer that can sew and then we will have something. I’m sorry dude, but I just can’t get on board with the idea, it feels like cheating to me.

 

Tablets are awesome for drawing (and other tasks) .. but .. if you intend to share your art in the real world, you still need to invest in a quality printer, art quality paper and inks to print with. Otherwise, you just have a bunch of files that no one can see to appreciate.

As for investing in 3D scanners. I remember seeing home made scanners that did a good job using a cell phone if I remember correctly. Might even be better home made ways to build scanners now as this was several years ago. As for taxidermy? Most of your raw materials are right there with your specimen. Unless something was damaged or missing, would there be any real need to take the time needed to scan something (and you need the item to scan) and set up the files and equipment to print something? Things like skulls and skeletons are already being printed out. Considering the actual cost, I don't think many folks would be using 3D printed skulls in their mounts or bones in their armatures.

 

I have a 3D printer and print often. Its not as simple as you think. You say scanning, there is no way unless your using one of the free options that basically sews 1000s of pictures together to get a workable 3d object (that you still need to tweak in a 3D modelling program) that you are doing that with a $750 setup. It sounds easy at first but you really need a good understanding of 3D modelling to do your own designs. You can get a ton of printable objects from thingiverse but those are posted free of charge by end users and some of those have flaws that -- again, if you do not understand 3D modelling, you will not be able to fix.

You can find 3D modelling courses online and blender is a free 3D modelling software that is about as good as any paid software out there. I'm not in the traditional is the only way to go crowd -- instead, I'm in the use what technology is available to keep costs down and produce a better product crowd. If 3D printing is the way you want to go then you should pursue it. Just understand that you should do your homework before hand. $750 will get you started but you will not get the outcome your looking for with a $750 starting setup. The scanning is what will hold you back -- not the printing.

Robert

 

I occasionally work with an engineering lab, which also had me wondering about the applications of 3D printing for taxidermy. I’d love to see what people with expertise in both areas are able to produce.
In my understanding, you can “sculpt” and manipulate your digital model, so there’s still the plenty of room for artistry, not just slavish reproduction, in building forms.

 

This! and so much more. I fully agree that trying to edit and manipulate multiple layers of slices is just mind boggling. I have a couple of 3D printed skeletons I have purchased. The time and skill that went into making them is the reason that they were not cheap. If it was an easy thing to set up and do, everyone would be doing this. I'm more tempted by the 3D pen that is out. That looks like fun.

 

3D printing is not so cheap,
And not finite to the detail needed for example repo fish,
Figurines bottle openers - works great
I do tons of 3 D modeling in my full time job
We now do 3D modeling with powder steel for major corporations
And they still need to grind and polish these parts to use
A deer form will never be printed as cheap as a two part foam in a mold
3D printing has its place in manufacturing to reduce stock on parts needed for production, houses are actually being made with 3D printing using cement but it’s not cheap

 

I definitely think there could be some benefit to having access to a 3D printer for some things. In the end, the cost justification has to be balanced to each person and their business. I don't know enough about 3D printing to give any advice, nor had I ever thought of using one for something like this, but now I'm curious as heck.

 

It is very interesting for sure
Especially printing a full size house with cement

 

i have seen one in action and it is a very slow process

 

A projected 4 hours for a pair of earliners as mentioned earlier. I don't care how "cool" and novel the equipment is, I wouldn't waste any time with it.

I can have a pair of earliners made in a few minutes the old fashioned way.

 

I used Hero Forge to design and print a custom mini. Super reasonable price for that, and cool to have something unique.

 

You ain't kidding about the difficulty of 3D modeling. Difficult to visualize for many, including myself. And I was a CADD Draftsman/Designer for 30+ years and eventually head of the department! There were only two designers/draftsman where I worked among 25+ that grasped the 3D concept and were able to learn Finite Element Analysis and 3D modeling. Granted, I'm sure my scenario was far more complex than tweaking a 3D model of a bird head. But, my point still stands. You need to not only be able to visualize in 3D, but also learn the software to manipulate things. I'm sure Robert is correct. It isn't quite as simple as you think. Quite the opposite!