Print smoothing for FDM 3D prints
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- Come on a ‘print smoothing adventure’ as Rex discuss options for improving 3D printed terrain and tests a newly discovered product for smoothing FDM 3D prints.
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This is a great product review, and you did fantastic work on the closeups with the video. I'm on the fence about FDM printing, and it's nice to see that there are options to smooth your prints.
Sorry for the delay. To add to the equation I have recently upgraded my FDM printer. The new tech print at a much thinner layer so may require less post printing work. We are so nearly there quality wise (without the filth and toxicity of resin) VHG_Rex
Those are some cool toys. Love the terrain.
Thanks, all I have to do now if get it painted !!
VHG_Rex
Umm, so a clear resin to apply over the print to fill the striations. Looks to do the job, I didn't see the difference between the GW primer and the rustoleum on the last test piece. Did the rusoleum give the more stone like finish? What was the full name of the rustoleum can please?
Hi Ken, at 18:01 you can see the rock texture on the first one but I wasn't able to reproduce that again which is, I guess, really great as you wouldn't want that on your mini's generally. I can only put that down to an environmental anomaly, too humid perhaps or perhaps the resin wasn't completely cured? I don't know which paint that was either, if I had to bet based on gloss level I would say it was the GW. Never seen it before or since. The primer is Rustoleum 2X Ultra Cover Flat Spray - black (bit.ly/3wkiC3h). As soon as I have 5 mins spare I will try it on a flat wall as well and let you know the results.
VHG_Rex
Great video, I've been tossing up an FDM printer as the lines bug me (personal thing) but this looks like a good in between.
There are a LOT better printers out now as well that should print with less lines all things being equal. Check it out in detail my ender 3v2 is sort of 'gen 1' tech
Here is the product: www.smooth-on.com/product-line/xtc-3d/ (not a sponsored video and product purchased at full retail price)
Really interesting: I wonder whether it would work better on flat surfaces, like building walls.
I will check that out shortly, normally on a big blank building side I do use filler and sand but I don't often have a big featureless wall that's good for sanding. I will report back im pretty excited.
I wouldn't rule out FDM printers for minis if you have good print settings and a good size nozzle. Ive found pretty good results off of an FDM printer with tweaking (not as good as resin but close enough). For me, mainly because of my living situation, resin printing is out of the question so Ive tried alot of methods on FDM priners to get a good mini out of it!
Yes I have seen some surprisingly good FDM prints lately, technology in FDM has move on a lot since this video was shot.
Also everyone has a deferent tolerance on what they find acceptable quality wise. Ill have to print something on my next generation FDM printer, make a short video and link that that. Thanks for watching and commenting VHG_Rex
How many resin coats had you applied? Seems multiple resin coats may altogether eliminate the striation lines.
Yes Im sure it would, I was aiming not to remove too may details. I'm in the process of doing more testing right now, we are hoping that it will work great on flat surfaces!
@@ValhallaGames Thank you. Your work and testing here was very helpful for me.
Where can we find these STL files? For the walls and that building please
Hi, here you go:
Walls:
www.printablescenery.com/product/country-high-walls/
The building was from:
www.vulcania3dfoundry.com/
However they are closed down now sadly.
Because you asked and because of that situation... Note that, Valhalla games has a licence to print these and they will soon be available (for shipping to Australia and New Zealand only) details here: www.valhallagames.net/index.php/coming-soon-3d-printed-terrain
VHG_Rex
FDM printers are crap for detail and things like acetone etc might smooth prints a bit but the detail is even worse. I think if it matters, then get a larger resin printer and do everything that way.
Thanks, yes we have both, different things for different situations (and budgets) I guess.
You need to clean your nails ;) Have you tried acetone vapours bath to smoothen surface of 3D printed terrains?
Yes just did a massive priming and base-coat session in black and brown as I recall. The thinner takes it off the skin but not underneath. Realised it after... too much close cam, my mother would not be impressed 🙂
No we haven't tried the acetone vapour bath method, I believe it doesn't work on PLA based on what I heard.