So You Wanna Make a 3D Printed Doll, BJD, or Action Figure Huh?
Everything you need, from start to finish, to make a 3D printed doll, figurine, BJD, action figure, etc. This list will be updated as needed:
3D Modeling Software Tools:
Clickwheel mouse! (IMPORTANT!)
Blender: Free, open source, and also free for commercial use. Sculpting mode is powerful, especially when used alongside the regular âEditâ mode. You can make a head, body, and joints on it.
Netfabb Basic: Free. Checks and auto-fixes errors, and answers the question of âbut can I print this???â
Make Human:Â Good free and âfree for commercial useâ tool to make 3D printable bodies. You can toggle symmetry, age, gender, and add fat where you want it. Clean topology, so you can cut the body apart to add joints or change heads. Great base for Blenderâs âSculptâ mode. To avoid messing up your topology, import/export between Make Human and Blender as â.MHXâ
Free 3D File Examples (Courtesy of various Blendswap artists):
These files to study and learn from, not to copy and steal!
Feminine Body #1 (Artistic Nudity NSFW)
Feminine Body #2 (Artistic Nudity NSFW)
Masculine Body #1Â (Artistic Nudity NSFW)
Masculine Body #2Â (Artistic Nudity NSFW)
Masculine Body #3Â (Artistic Nudity NSFW)
Tutorials That You Can Directly Use (and that Arenât Just Theory):
Good and Bad Facial Topology (i.e. How Not to Sculpt a Face)
3D Sculpt a Face From a Drawing
Note: If you donât lay out the dollâs topology well, you will have trouble adding in joints. If your file is overloaded with too many squares/polygons or just has a bad topology, you can clean it up using a process called retopology.
How to Use 3D Printers Without Buying One:
Schools often stock 3D printers in a math-related, science-related, design-related, or engineering departments. These are usually free or cheap to use.
MakeXYZ (geographic directory of 3D printers. Quality/price varies and haggling is commonplace.)
Workshops or premium 3D printing services are currently the most expensive option. If you want a lab environment, consider a Hackerspace instead of a workshop franchise. And if you need premium printers, consider smaller local design studiosâ- some even let you drop by to pick up prints. This is a great option for large multi-part volume orders.
Free Blueprints for Single Jointed BJDs
10+ Different BJD Torso and Chest Designs
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