Caleb & Sophia 3D models.

[warytraveller]

After months and months of watching "Become Jehovah's Friend" videos and musing about how much I would have LOVED having content like that when I was a child, my mind also drifts to how great having Caleb and Sophia toys would have been. (who needs Sparlok that nasty old warrior-wizard anyway?)

 

So, last night my fingers were wandering around the keyboard and before I knew it, I had ordered a small 3D printer!  No sense in trying to validate the purchase by listing all the wonderful and useful things I can make with it, (looks like I won't need to track down that refrigerator repair part after all), because in the end, my treacherous heart bought it as a toy.

 

Anyway, back to the point. Speaking of toys, I thought to myself how wonderful it would be to print out Caleb and Sophia toys for the little kids in my hall.  Having no experience in 3D modelling software, my learning curve is going to be pretty high for creating the models. I'm prepared to do it, but, oy! What a project!

 

And so I thought, "Why reinvent the wheel if someone 'out there' had already made them or has them available or knows where to find them. (short of calling Bethel and asking, "Hey, hows about sending me those files, eh?")

 

Anyone out there have any ideas? Knowledge? Expertise?

[MzT]

Check the friends here from Creative JWs:http://creativejws.blogspot.com

You might get a few ideas from them. They always have some cute projects.

[warytraveller]

Thanks! I'll check that out.  I've already started selecting source frames from the videos.  If I'm reading my research correctly, there is a way - using software - to convert 2D pictures into 3D models, or at least help the process along.  

 

I'm going to start with Caleb and Sophia. Then mom and dad.  Maybe even the characters from the Na'aman story. (after all, the three main characters are based on mom, dad, and Sophia figures anyway)

 

Who knows? If it goes well, I may even go nuts and start working on "Illustrated Bible Stories" characters.

[Beggar for the Spirit]

Hey Brother Zeke,

 

That was very thoughtful of you to use your new tool(or new toy)

to try and make Caleb and Sophia toys!

 

I was thinking about how if a little Brother or Sister

has 1 of these in their hands,

it would be a "visual reminder" to them

of the lessons they have learned from Caleb and Sophia!

So great idea!

 

Also,

I am sooooooo interested in these 3D printers!

So I think it is cool that you have one.

Would you mind sharing with me/us how it works?

Can you make almost anything that is small?

[well]

Wow! Consider me as a kid! Would you give me one after you finish?   

[warytraveller]

I have yet to see it.  It's still in production. Literally. Mine hasn't been put together yet. I have to wait my turn.   I should get it by February. (I was able to get it at an introductory price. Very inexpensively for the quality - so I hear) https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/m3d/the-micro-the-first-truly-consumer-3d-printer

 

Maybe it'll work out because that will give me plenty of time to have something ready to print.

 

Near as I can tell, DIY 3d printers, for the most part, work basically the same way. Plastic is stretched into rolls of spaghetti-like wire called filament.  The end of that gets fed into a nozzle, where it is heated up and melted. The nozzle head moves around and lays the melted material layer by layer into the 3D form determined by the 3D model you programmed into the software. (that's the tricky part)  There are many, many 3D models available that people have created and posted on the internet.  You just have to find what you need, load it, and print it.  I can make gears, springs, any kind of little parts I need.  The one I'm getting should be able to print in many different types of plastic materials.  I'm especially excited about the nylon.

 

As for Caleb and Sophia, I really would have loved having those toys myself as a child.  I think about the kids being able to recreate the scenes from the videos. They'll likely come up with their own playtime scenarios, maybe based on things they are going through personally. They can use their imaginations to resolve problems or fears with the help of Caleb and Sophia. The more I'm thinking about it, the more I'm liking the idea.

 

I'd be happy to give them to whoever wants one. It would give me a chance to get my money's worth out of the machine.  The parts printed are limited to 4-1/2" high, but, without a design, I don't know how long each figure would take to print yet. (and they'll have to be hand-painted)  

 

Time will be a limiting factor. And I'd have to figure out some way to keep them from showing up on ebay. That would be the WORST!  I shudder to think of giving one to someone who turns around and tries to sell it. (there will always be at least one dumb Achan in the bunch) No bueno!

 

I'm just playing it by ear for now.  Step one: Get model ready.

 

 

[Vido]

After all, Caleb is the most famous witness if you come to think about it. I think he deserves the privilladge. I know that saying that creatinng a statue for him will be taking it too far ( we not idolworshipers).....so. I would not dare. .......absolutely love the 3D idea......

[warytraveller]

HA! 

 

Yes, I can see it all now. Me trying to explain myself: "You yourself well know the children, that they are evil-inclined. And I proceeded to throw the ABS into the printer, and this Caleb came on out!"

[Mykyl]

If you are planning on creating the models yourself you better start now. For 3d printing you must have what is referred to as a water tight 3d model.

 

You might want to try Blender for creating the models. It is completely free and has sculpting etc built in. http://www.blender.org

 

This has some basic video tutorials on Blender. Again free. http://cgcookie.com/blender/cgc-courses/blender-basics-introduction-for-beginners/

 

I will dig out what I can for Blender as its not the easiest app to learn. None of them are. 3d looks much easier than it is. 

 

Dedicated Sculpting software is not cheap. I own Zbrush, 3dCoat etc etc etc as i used to do a lot of that kind of thing. (I have not added any links to these applications as by nature of the movies these applications are used in some images can be pretty gruesome.)

 

Its fun but can be very time consuming. Especially while you are learning. Search youtube for beginner blender tutorials.

 

Again a warning. When searching for 3d sculpting etc you may come across some  pretty horrific imagery.

 

Mike

 

3dCoat is $99 for non commercial use. It is very good for sculpting painting etc. Of course for commercial use it is MUCH more expensive. It is pretty easy to use as well. But try Blender first.   http://3d-coat.com

Edited October 23, 2014 by Mykyl

[Mykyl]

Too late to edit my last post. Once you learn the basics of 3d it can usually be of use in other 3d applications.

 

An example of creating a very simple mouse character in 3d coat.

 

http://3d-coat.com/tutorial/free-tutorial/quick-start/

[bigvince]

Wow. I would love one or two of those dolls.

[warytraveller]

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction, Mike.  I've heard of Blender and that will be my next stop.  Being familiar with the complex nature of even 2D imaging software and audio software, I have no doubt that I am in for quite a slog adding another dimension plus having to learn an entirely new software system.  Everything looks easy on a sales video.

 

My biggest worry will be ending up with something like this:

 

 

Have you any experience with software that manipulates 2D photographs into 3D models?

 

 

 

 

 

BTW, thanks for the warning too.  I haven't done any in-depth searching, so I have been spared anything particularly horrible so far. I'll probably put the brakes on any further searching for now, to spare my eyes. 

 

 

 

 

[Sunnyside]

Great idea.

Would be nice to have them shipped to me and I give them to the darling kids in my congregation.

You could order huge. Get good discounts and distribute. Please dont forget the toy car and plane.

[Mykyl]

Have you any experience with software that manipulates 2D photographs into 3D models?

 

BTW, thanks for the warning too.  I haven't done any in-depth searching, so I have been spared anything particularly horrible so far. I'll probably put the brakes on any further searching for now, to spare my eyes. 

There is this. I have not used it but for simplicity it may be exactly what your after. Not particularly accurate but if it gets you started... I forgot it even existed. Its 29 euros or around $37

 

It is supposed to be just fine for 3d printing. 

 

http://www.archipelis.com/home.php?

 

The more I look at that the more I want to give it a try.  

 

Another one (The app that got me started seriously in 3d 10 or more years ago) is Curvy 3d. Again a bit more expensive mind you and Windows only.

 

http://www.curvy3d.com

Edited October 23, 2014 by Mykyl

[Mykyl]

Some ancient models from around 2005, 2006. Only came across them when looking through some old forums. (Being careful as I don't recall half of what I did back then but I was out in the world when I started 3D.)

 

[timpin]

Ashley, is that you?     ...   how to get a Brother mad at you 101.

[Mykyl]

Ashley, is that you?     ...   how to get a Brother mad at you 101.

Eh???

[jayrtom]

My suggestion is start with a simpler task.

Pick an image and give it a thickness. It's fairly easy to do with any 3D software

example:

[warytraveller]

Excellent suggestions!  They seem to have demo trials available too.  I'll dig into the documentation a bit and see how using drawings for models is accomplished.  I've been given pretty good source materials, at least for Caleb.

 

 

I'm sure once Caleb's base mesh is done, it can be adapted to most of the other characters.

 

 

Tsk! Tsk!   Mike, you're letting slip just how good you are at all of this. I'm totally digging the horse wearing the formal hunting attire. Very nice work!  The wicked and sluggish slave in me is beginning to salivate at learning about your skillz.

 

I just can't believe I'm the first one to think of this. (or maybe lots of brothers have, but I'm the only one ignorant and naive enough about how much work is involved to go any farther.)

[Mykyl]

Excellent suggestions!  They seem to have demo trials available too.  I'll dig into the documentation a bit and see how using drawings for models is accomplished.  I've been given pretty good source materials, at least for Caleb.

 

caleb model S-F sm.jpgcaleb model S-L sm.jpgcaleb model L-B sm.jpg

 

I'm sure once Caleb's base mesh is done, it can be adapted to most of the other characters.

 

 

Tsk! Tsk!   Mike, you're letting slip just how good you are at all of this. I'm totally digging the horse wearing the formal hunting attire. Very nice work!  The wicked and sluggish slave in me is beginning to salivate at learning about your skillz.

 

I just can't believe I'm the first one to think of this. (or maybe lots of brothers have, but I'm the only one ignorant and naive enough about how much work is involved to go any farther.)

Where did you get the images? Just what you need.

[warytraveller]

My suggestion is start with a simpler task.

Pick an image and give it a thickness. It's fairly easy to do with any 3D software

 

Hmm. So am I correctly understanding what you're suggesting is for me to create (what is essentially) a basic outline cookie cutter shape for the model? 

 

If so, that would definitely get me started.  My concern would be how much work I'd need to put into painting the detail features for each individual printed figure (since they'll be thick, but flat), as opposed to only needing to color the features that have been sculpted into the model.  I can manipulate technology well enough (or I'll soon find out if I can); but I'm not much of a painter, at least not a very good one. Also, software is much more forgiving about fixing errors than paint.

 

Still, that suggestion has me thinking of another idea for making Caleb & Sophia cookie cutters.

[warytraveller]

Where did you get the images? Just what you need.

 

 

They are what got me thinking about this in the first place.  They are from the behind-the-scenes styled video: "An Animated Series That Touches Little Hearts" 

[jayrtom]

Hmm. So am I correctly understanding what you're suggesting is for me to create (what is essentially) a basic outline cookie cutter shape for the model?

If so, that would definitely get me started. My concern would be how much work I'd need to put into painting the detail features for each individual printed figure (since they'll be thick, but flat), as opposed to only needing to color the features that have been sculpted into the model. I can manipulate technology well enough (or I'll soon find out if I can); but I'm not much of a painter, at least not a very good one. Also, software is much more forgiving about fixing errors than paint.

Still, that suggestion has me thinking of another idea for making Caleb & Sophia cookie cutters.

The printer doesn't print colors? ;)

[Mykyl]

They are what got me thinking about this in the first place. They are from the behind-the-scenes styled video: "An Animated Series That Touches Little Hearts"

Ah of course. Try out that archipelis demo. You draw around areas of an image and it makes the 3d and textures it from that photograph. Very easy. Just remember to break it down into pieces in your mind. of course as pointed out you would need to paint it manually yourself afterwards.

It's got me thinking that perhaps I might just give it a go if I get some time. Will see.

Edited October 23, 2014 by Mykyl

[bigvince]

That is just what is needed, but you'd need the editable 3D files, not flattened jpg versions. I've done some 3d printing of buildings through someone we deal with here at work. I hand painted the buildings since it always comes out white. You can get colored material, but it's just one color, not like it'll print full color Caleb or Sophia.