I've looked at it, too, but find my time is limited and haven't really been able to dig into Sketchup/it's tutorials to really learn much. I've got Echoco's 1/900 aircraft files and I'd like to reconfigure the layout of the planes to match the WaS standards, but haven't made any head way.
If you're looking for specific minis, the modelers will often review request threads in the Shapeways subforum under the Market. If you make a post there with your "wants", you may have some luck getting someone to take them on.
I've used Simple Green before and it's never taken off the factory paint on the War at Sea minis. I've only seen it come off when I was using denatured alcohol to remove some glue someone had used to attach minis to custom bases (I bought a lot off eBay years ago and about 10 were like this).
I experimented with half a dozen minis in regards to clear cote finishing. I normally only put one coat on but tried two with these and I'm not really happy with them. Too shiny, especially when next to the others.
Would I have to repaint?
Gaz - to my knowledge there isn't a way to remove only the varnish/clear coat and leave the paint so I'd wager you'll have to re-paint.
I generally use multiple coats of varnish. First is a dull coat to seal it up and make one final review of my paint job (easy to paint on matte varnish for touch ups). Second is a gloss coat because it's tougher than matte. Third I go back and use another matte coat to get rid of the shininess! If you're happy with the paint job and the clear cote is just too shiny, I'd recommend getting some matte varnish or even Testor's Dull Cote to take the shine off.
I received the files from Echoco, but I think he said he lost some in the process of taking them down. There are still quite a few. Once you have them, you merely need to load them up to Shapeways. If you have an account with them, at the top left you should see "My Workshop". Click on that and it will show you where you can upload the files...you can drag & drop or use the "Upload" button. Shapeways will auto check the models to see if they comply with their rules (his will for FUD, WSF etc., but not a lot of the metals). Once they are uploaded and checked by Shapeways, you can order them for yourself...no need to open a shop (in fact, I think Echoco asked me specifically to NOT open my own shop).
You don't need to know 3d modeling if you want to just print his designs. I'd like to learn because I'd prefer his formations follow the WaS "standards", i.e. wing-to-tail for dive bombers, wing-to-wing for torpedo bombers with the center aircraft on top etc. I like his dynamic formations, but it makes it harder to figure out which planes are which on the board at times.
I just placed my first order last week for a bunch of aircraft in FED. Pretty inexpensive, actually, and the detail should be awesome. I ordered a couple of UK cruisers at the same time from Roe and they were finished within two days, but the aircraft seem to be taking forever...the order page says it'll be another week. Dang it!
Anyway, if you get the files from Echoco, you don't need to know anything about 3d modeling to place your own order...
We're just heading out to lunch, but when I get back I can put together a list of the ones I have that are in your list. I imagine I have roughly half of those units available, but maybe not very many of the rares, i.e. no San Fran, Missou, Montana, etc. I'll take some inventory in a couple of hours and get back to you.
Wow, that repainted Bismarck looks sweet, and I would say you are almost giving the Friedrich der Große up for free but the shipping would kill me :-(
Yeah, Dan did an awesome job on that Bismarck! One reason I wanted to commission from him was to be able to have his work in my hands to use as a guide for my own painting!
Well, I'm hoping Freddy goes for a bit more than the starting bid, but you never know with auctions.
Hmm, didn't we used to have a thread for eBay Auctions?
Regardless, I have a buddy I setup with some fleets so we could play. He's moving and decided to give these units back. Since they're mostly duplicates/extras for me, I thought I'd put 'em up on eBay.
It's a smattering of older units with some Set V and Surface action; aircraft and ships (heavier on BBs and CVs). There is even a danaussie custom-painted Rhein. Bismarck I commissioned for my friend as Tirpitz (he ended up with 2 Rhein. Bismarck's).
Anyway, thanks for looking and let me know if you have any questions.
"Ultrasonic Jewelry Scrubber" that's hard core! I see they aren't extremely expensive. How long does the mini stay in? and can you do more than one at a time?
Thanks
Yeah, I think I got one from Amazon for less than $30 after tax. Mine comes with a tray and it can fit all but the longest ship (for longer ones, I remove the tray and just lay the ship on the bottom). The shape is oblong, though, so it won't fit many super long ships at once. For anything, say, Baltimore class or shorter, it'll hold about 4-5 and then still fit about 4-6 destroyers, for example. So, yes, I can usually do an entire order from Shapeways in one or two cycles of the cleaner. Mine defaults to 180 seconds (3 mins) and I wouldn't recommend anything longer than that. The alcohol warms up during the cycle. Running it once or twice won't melt anything, but I usually let the alcohol cool off between runs. Or, if some of my ships are warped, I'll run them in the 2nd batch right after the first and they'll be pliable and I can strap them down to one of Reacher's bases to help it flatten out...I haven't run a 3rd cycle in succession, but I worry it would get too hot.
Very nice. Love the camo. I'm hoping to get to some UK stuff done eventually. What was your method for prepping for FUD?
I wash them with liquid dish soap first using a soft toothbrush. Rinse and let dry. Then, I use an ultrasonic jewelry scrubber filled with rubbing alcohol to help make sure all of the wax has been removed.
With FUD, the sides of the hull are always striated/rough for some reason. I don't worry about that since it's still smoother than WSF, although I think it bugs some people.
I use Army Painter Uniform Grey for my primer. It's a bit darker than I'd like, but it's so smooth and with a couple of series of lighter grey dry brushes, I can usually control the color well.
Hope that helps! Can't wait to see more of your work!
So, I can't really remember the last time I posted anything new or when I last finished a paint job, for that matter. We've been going through the home remodel from Hell and my will to paint has been sorely sapped. However, I really felt like I needed to do something positive for myself. Thus, I decided to paint up the replacement models I bought for Colossus, Indefatigable and Unicorn over the last few days. I've already done them in WSF, but I've been slowly replacing my WSF models with FUD now that the price of FUD has lowered. I really feel so much better about working with FUD and feel like it's so much better/easier to paint. It is more brittle, however, as you'll see below.
Well, let's see how my new Postimage account works (hmm, it seems my pics of Unicorn are a bit blurry...will look to re-take).
Colossus (Camo design found on the Internet): Sadly, my fat thumb broke off the crane that should be behind the island...
Indefatigable (Camo design found on the Internet):
I-94 Enterprises.. I-94 Scroll down and check out the decal scans. I think it's set JP-100 for the Hinomaru. JP-102 has the rising sun flag. They come in various sizes (both sets).
Looks like some changes to Frosted Detail Materials over at Shapeways. Not sure how it will effect my models, but probably will get a bit cheaper. And no idea what the Ready to Paint Material is, maybe prewashed?
Upcoming changes coming to the Frosted Detail materials.
Shapeways
FUD Repricing
We have some big news regarding our Frosted Ultra Detail and Frosted Extreme Detail materials. Starting the week of May 22nd, we will be rolling out a new pricing structure for FUD.
Following the new pricing, we will introduce a new finish, Ready-to-Paint FUD, for easier painting and a way for you to control the 3D print orientation. With these, FUD will become even better material for scale modeling and miniatures.
70% of all models printed in FUD will become cheaper. 10% will stay the same, and 20% will see a price increase.
Startup costs are being cut in half, a win for t- and z-scale modelers.
Many of the HO-scale and 28mm products become cheaper thanks to the lower model material cost.
Wow, I can't believe how much less some of these cost now. I wish I'd waited to start replacing my WSF with FUD. It would have saved me 100s of $$$. I know not everyone is sold on FUD, especially if you'red used to being pretty rough on your models, but the detail is amazing and with some TLC, they stay in good shape.