AI for creating 3D models

[EspenT]

Are there any good AI engines out there that can create models for 3D printing?

It would be fun to try to create some sailors or other things to add some dynamics to the models.

I don’t have the skill, interest or time to make them from scratch.

 

[AllanKP69]

That would be interesting. 3D drawing has been around long enough to be old school for the folks that are skilled in it (not me) so maybe some other easier methods are coming out.
Allan

 

[badras-khan]

new mode to make crewmen

Hello All I found this video yesterday and I was impressed with the results I wanted to find some figures for captain /seamen for my janet It work as explained in video Kind regards, Daniel

shipsofscale.com

 

[AllanKP69]

Did some quick research and there are several programs/sites that look promising and not expensive. Does anyone have experience with the following:

• Tools and Platforms
  • Meshy AI:
    Offers a user-friendly interface with a multi-view option to upload multiple images of an object and generate a 3D model.
    
    
  • Rodin:
    An AI generator that supports multi-view input for creating 3D models from several images of the same object, providing more accurate mesh details and textures.
  • TripoSR:
    An advanced open-source AI model that can generate detailed 3D models from 2D images. It often has a Gradio interface for easier use and allows for direct installation and operation on a computer.
    THANKS,
    Allan
    
    
    

 

[EspenT]

I tested Meshy for an hour today. It is very easy to get going and produces good looking models.

Some problems I have faced, but could just as well be down to user errors:

Creating a model of f. ex a captain is easy. You can either describe it with words or have it use a reference photo. The issue comes when you want the rest of the crew. It is difficult to get consistent and reproducible results. They don’t get an overall similar look.

It also gets tricky if it looks very good, but you want to change a specific area of the model.

Since the development in AI is the only thing that is faster than light, this could already be improved from earlier today

I will play around with this and see if I can get better results.

 

[EspenT]

From the prompt "English naval officer from age of sails"





I do not have a paid version yet, so I cannot export the file and try to print it.

normally you would just get a grey model, but I asked it to add texture just to see the result.

On a 1/64 scale model these guys will be about 30 mm in height so I am not worried about details on the model. They won’t be noticeable anyway.

Edit: I forgot to write that I also added a reference photo to this version.

 

[Marquinius]

Interesting! I wonder if the resulting mesh file will print. Because that’s often a problem. But I read that there are there are online tools to check and repair the files.

 

[X Bubble Head]

My 3D modeling instructor @ Universal Studios predicted AI-created modeling two decades ago. Most of the students in my class, (over twenty years younger than I) were too young to understand the implications of what he was saying.

Making a stand-alone small shape, (like a posed character) is one thing; AI modeling can do it with the correct inputs. As for larger parts that require precise fitment, the capability isn't going to happen soon, so CAD design is safe for the time being. Currently, it can take years for a team to design/test/revise/test and finalize a complex design and it isn't cheap. R&D is why a single aircraft can cost in the tens and hundreds of millions of dollars to produce. The materials are a small part of the equation. Cost savings will drive this trend, and if your competitor gets the capability first, guess who will be the favored vendor when bids are generated?

It simply isn't financially sustainable to build weapons in quantity like stealth aircraft, naval ships and submarines that can be destroyed by far cheaper weapons. The war in Ukraine is proof enough. Three years of fighting and a far superior force cannot establish control of the air over the battlefield, which has led to massive losses. Current US doctrine is to establish air supremacy before ground and naval surface forces advance. That doctrine is in doubt until we can neutralize small drones efficiently. But I digress. . .

Eventually, human-led AI will replace human CAD jockeys, who will specify requirements based on the tasking and let the AI generate multiple designs for evaluation. Today's young, mechanical engineers will likely see this capability become an indispensable tool during their careers in large corporations by the time they become Program Managers.

Don't give up learning 3D modeling just yet!

 

[AllanKP69]

I can only imagine this for now, but I keep thinking of parts such as port hinges, or pintles and gudgeons and similar parts being set up as base designs then a pre programmed set of scantlings for a given era and ship size in a library of sorts. Pick and choose the era and rate of ship, click on it and either a 3D STL drawing or some such thing can be downloaded and sent via email to any 3D printshop to have parts made. It is done now very easily with 3D drawings but a library that anyone can use seems possible. For cannon, it is cheap ($0.75) to print a perfect one now and there are many dozens of drawings available for free that have been discussed here at SoS but a more complete library with caliber, length, pattern/era, nation seems achievable even now. Even if it is not there yet, it is nice to dream as they are accurate, so much better in appearance overall and less expensive parts than having to use aftermarket sources that provide minimal choices at ridiculous prices. I prefer wood for parts that were wood, but many folks are good with parts that were really metal but printed in resin for the model. Sorry to carry on but the future is here and really fascinating.
Allan

 

[Dave Stevens (Lumberyard)]

I can only imagine this for now, but I keep thinking of parts such as port hinges, or pintles and gudgeons and similar parts being set up as base designs then a pre programmed set of scantlings for a given era and ship size in a library of sorts. Pick and choose the era and rate of ship, click on it and either a 3D STL drawing or some such thing can be downloaded and sent via email to any 3D printshop to have parts made. It is done now very easily with 3D drawings but a library that anyone can use seems possible. For cannon, it is cheap ($0.75) to print a perfect one now and there are many dozens of drawings available for free that have been discussed here at SoS but a more complete library with caliber, length, pattern/era, nation seems achievable even now. Even if it is not there yet, it is nice to dream as they are accurate, so much better in appearance overall and less expensive parts than having to use aftermarket sources that provide minimal choices at ridiculous prices. I prefer wood for parts that were wood, but many folks are good with parts that were really metal but printed in resin for the model. Sorry to carry on but the future is here and really fascinating.
Allan

i agree with your imagination of a library of 3D printable parts. with AI anyone can create 3D parts and send them to be printed. Cannons, rigging blocks, figureheads and all sorts of fittings can be done. I have been exploring the idea of stern kits with 3D STL files that can be downloaded and printed by the builder or a print service. I believe we will see big advances in this hobby within a few years. Rigging blocks can be printed in perfect details for 5 cents. cannons for .50 cents. right now it is the high cost of 3d artists creating the original 3D print file but as AI gets better and better they will become obsolete. Like everything else as a new idea is introduced into the market the price is quite high but in time as more and more businesses get involved the prices begin to drop.
I think we are reaching the limits to the cost of kits and the solution is kit builders will begin to create their own kits from a variety of sources
Think of it this way any business creating a complete kit will require a shop to mill all the wooden planking, a laser to cut parts, a 3d resin printing set up, plus the people to created the print files, shop workers, someone to run the laser cutter.
But if you specialize in 3D printing parts for kits that is all you have to invest in, same with wood milling if that is what you do then there is no big investment in printing or casting fittings just mill work. AS a library of files increases all the printer has to focus on is printing.
so i agree the future of the hobby is in the creation of a 3D print library and small specialize operations that do not require large investments.
expensive kits might be the death of the hobby

 

[shipahoy]

I am glad to see that there are a few modellers on this site that are willing to learn how to 3d printing if only at a beginners level. I have found that if you broach the subject of 3d part making in any other than this sub-forum you get the usual responses like " thats not real ship building! " or " that sounds too hard to learn." or so and so ( input name of some ship modelling legend ) would never even consider "cheating like that".
As for myself, i will continue to plan, design, and print my own cannon, blocks, and decorations and other fittings so that I can take my ships to a higher level of quality.

 

[TDuff]

I am glad to see that there are a few modellers on this site that are willing to learn how to 3d printing if only at a beginners level. I have found that if you broach the subject of 3d part making in any other than this sub-forum you get the usual responses like " thats not real ship building! " or " that sounds too hard to learn." or so and so ( input name of some ship modelling legend ) would never even consider "cheating like that".
As for myself, i will continue to plan, design, and print my own cannon, blocks, and decorations and other fittings so that I can take my ships to a higher level of quality.

Hi Shipahoy: I'm starting to explore the topic of 3D printing ships cannons and carriages, amongst other deck furniture (I'm a novice in this hobby, so please forgive any mis-naming of components) - I was wondering if you are using an FDM style printer or SLA? Do you do you own design work, or have you found ready made files somewhere? I work with SolidWorks, so I can make my own3D models but if there are files already out there, I could start experimenting with those on my FDM printer.
Thanks for any info!

 

[Marquinius]

My bit: I am CAD designing and 3D printing a WW2 destroyer at 1:72 scale. Hull and deckhouses do really well with FDM. Although I am amazed by what detail comes out of my Bambulab, it doesn’t come close to what can be achieved with SLA. So all detailed parts are printed with resin.

 

[AllanKP69]

Hi Shipahoy: I'm starting to explore the topic of 3D printing ships cannons and carriages, amongst other deck furniture

Hi T,
I see this is your first post, so welcome to SoS!!!

There is a large collection of cannon barrels in 3D (STL) that cover different patterns for over 100 years at the following. https://thenrg.org/page-1075420 These are well researched and quite accurate if you want to use these instead of developing a new set. Carriages also varied a lot over time. They were wood so maybe the reason STLs for all styles of carriages don't exist along with the cannon themselves. There are some to be sure, but not appropriate for all eras and nations.


Allan

 

[shipahoy]

TDuff . I use a resin printer instead of a filament one. Resin printers offer a better finished product than filament for small parts and detail. 3d files for resin printers are best when using stl. or obj. formats. There are several sites that have downloadable files for cannon, anchors ect. but they usually charge for the good ones. I use Freecad to design all my parts and sculpt gl for modeling decorative parts (carvings, scrolls ect.). These 2 are free to use but you will need software to "slice" the finished drawing into a language your 3d printer understands. I use Lychee . This one costs about 100.00 per year but is worth it IMHO.
Try designing with Freecad. There are hundreds of videos out there on you tube. Let me know how you make out.

 

[TDuff]

AllanKP69 and Shipahoy: Thanks for the info - I'll dig into it ASAP. I currently have a couple FDM printers (Prusa Mk4S and Bambu a1) and can get fair detail out of the Bambu as it has a .2mm nozzle. But I have been tempted to get a resin printer for its very fine detail capability. Still on the fence due to shop space constraints. A guy in the local ship builders club approached me about printing cannons so, I's starting to dig into it. Knowing me -I'll invest the $$$ for a resin printer to generate cheap parts lol.

I have found some 3D files on Thingiverse but I was thinking there had to be better files out there, so I'll look into the NRG tonight!

Thanks again,
Terry

 

[michael21]

AllanKP69 and Shipahoy: Thanks for the info - I'll dig into it ASAP. I currently have a couple FDM printers (Prusa Mk4S and Bambu a1) and can get fair detail out of the Bambu as it has a .2mm nozzle. But I have been tempted to get a resin printer for its very fine detail capability. Still on the fence due to shop space constraints. A guy in the local ship builders club approached me about printing cannons so, I's starting to dig into it. Knowing me -I'll invest the $$$ for a resin printer to generate cheap parts lol.

I have found some 3D files on Thingiverse but I was thinking there had to be better files out there, so I'll look into the NRG tonight!

Thanks again,
Terry









Hi there, organizing hundreds of pages of lecture notes used to drain all my energy until a friend suggested studley AI online to make revision faster. I went through a rough patch where nothing I memorized stayed in my head during practice exams. But after generating smart flashcards, my academic performance made a massive comeback.

A resin printer could be a useful option if you’re planning to make small parts that need a lot of fine detail. The main challenge seems to be finding enough space for it in your workshop.

 

[AllanKP69]

A resin printer could be a useful option if you’re planning to make small parts that need a lot of fine detail.

If I was twenty years younger I would seriously look into a printer. I am no purest having gone to printed resin cannon because they are more accurate than turned brass or aluminum and about a fourth the cost even using an outside supplier, but what other things do others use it for? I am thinking of parts like cap squares and port hinges where a model needs dozens or even hundreds of them. For items that only require one of each like each pair of pintles and gudgeons, a figurehead or similar one-off items, is it worth the time to make the drawing and then print the part rather using metal or wood as appropriate.
Allan

 

[Marquinius]

If I was twenty years younger I would seriously look into a printer. I am no purest having gone to printed resin cannon because they are more accurate than turned brass or aluminum and about a fourth the cost even using an outside supplier, but what other things do others use it for? I am thinking of parts like cap squares and port hinges where a model needs dozens or even hundreds of them. For items that only require one of each like each pair of pintles and gudgeons, a figurehead or similar one-off items, is it worth the time to make the drawing and then print the part rather using metal or wood as appropriate.
Allan

I started 3D printing at 65 years old. Don’t let age stop you. Too much fun.

One thing: resin printing means nytril gloves and a work spot that can be cleaned from spillage. Nothing to worry about, just organisation.