Also see [[Christmas gift for team]] for my initial draft work.
## Intro
I decided this year for end of year gifts for my team / co-workers I would create 3D models of each of them, print and paint them. Originally I wanted to go with a DnD or tabletop type style and give everyone a full set of the figures, but eventually as the project went on I ended up just doing figures in the 125-175mm range because they were better for seeing details, and I couldn't possibly print and paint enough to give everyone smaller ones in time.
The project was my biggest initiative yet. It was 10 different figures. I had to sketch ideas, hire a 3D modeler to turn them into STL, then I added pre-supports, printed, printed again many more times due to failures, and eventually paint.
## Photos
![[IMG_4158.jpg]]
![[IMG_4163.jpg]]
![[IMG_4166.jpg]]
![[IMG_4167.jpg]]
![[IMG_4169.jpg]]
![[IMG_4172.jpg]]
![[IMG_4175.jpg]]
![[IMG_4176.jpg]]
![[IMG_4180.jpg]]
![[IMG_4185.jpg]]
![[IMG_4188.jpg]]
![[IMG_4189.jpg]]
![[IMG_4196.jpg]]
![[IMG_4199.jpg]]
![[IMG_4200.jpg]]
![[IMG_4204.jpg]]
![[IMG_4210.jpg]]
![[IMG_4211.jpg]]
![[IMG_4213.jpg]]
![[IMG_4219.jpg]]
![[IMG_4138.jpg]]
![[IMG_4139.jpg]]
![[IMG_4143.jpg]]
![[IMG_4144.jpg]]
![[IMG_4149.jpg]]
![[IMG_4154.jpg]]
![[IMG_4155.jpg]]
![[IMG_4156.jpg]]
## Lessons Learned
- I had a lot of struggles early on during the printing stages.
- I had to create my [[Resin Printing Standard Operating Procedures]] as I ramped up my printing. Prior to this, I was printing very few figures on a 4K Sonic Mini. During this project I got a larger Saturn 2 and began printing almost constantly for weeks. I had to get much more organized with my printing.
- After many print failures when using auto-supports, I had to take a step back and go learn more about supports. The 3D modelers did not provide pre-supported STL, so I was in charge of supports and testing the prints. I used to always do auto support and I guess I got lucky in the past with the couple figures I printed - they were ok. As I tried to do these 10, I quickly learned limitations of auto-support and did a bunch of video watching [[3D Print Supports]]