Vote for your choice of campaigns to run next
Jump to 3D Printed Balloon Animals, ChibiQuest, PrintAQuest, Spin-off, Polysaurus Park, Chibimal Babies, Chess Variations
It’s time to decide on the next annual 3D Printing Professor Model-a-thon fundraising drive. This year I have a lot of projects I’d like to do, but only one of them. But instead of years past where I just picked one and hoped it’d be the sort of project people wanted, I’ve decided to appeal to you and find out what campaign you’d most like to see for your 3D printer. Following are the top campaigns I’d like to do. Read them over and then vote for your choice of campaigns.
Here’s the campaigns that I am considering:
3D Printed Balloon Animals
Challenge your 3D printing skills with a menagerie of balloon animals. Your choice determines what will be added.
This campaign would be most unique. The “modeling” would consist of balloon twisting, 3d scanning, and then cleaning up the models in Blender. The live streams would be a hoot. Taking requests, live “modeling” and just having a good time. Not to toot my own horn, but I was quite the balloon guy back in the day. There’d be a ton of things I could make for this one.
ChibiQuest
Build your own adventure with 3D printed castles, dungeons, and cute modular adventurers.
Imagine this. A simplified form of Heroquest, but cute. And instead of a big board that you only use half of, PrintABlok landcraft blocks make up your map, and could be used for your own builds. When I introduced Landcraft blocks it was as a sort of dollhouse. But it could just as easily be used like dungeon tiles.
PrintAQuest
Build your own adventure with 3D printed castles, dungeons, and Heroes.
Just like ChibiQuest, but instead of being Chibi, I take the modeling seriously. A little more like everyone else making minis for 3D printing. Except I’d be doing my best to make them print without supports.
PrintABlok Spin-off Battle
Build, battle, and demolish your opponents in a the arena of spin-based combat.
This idea was presented to me by a member of the 3DPProfessor discord. He used this as a teaching activity for students using existing printablok. Students would try to build a top that would spin longer than others. Add to this some parts built specifically for tops and a turn-based building mechanic, and you’ve got a game.
Polysaurus Park
Explore the 3D printed world of Polysaurus Park. Collectable and connectable tiny playsets and animated time travel adventures. Your choice will guide the adventure.
Think poly-pocket, but with dinosaurs. And not low poly ones this time. I’ll put some actual effort into the models, even though they’ll be printed considerably smaller.
My vision for the animated adventures are basically shorts where we’re introduced to the Polysaurus world. See, instead of genetic tampering, Polysaurus park gives visitors a face-to-face with dinosaurs by way of time gates. And to avoid breaking the timeline, there’s also a temporal lock, meaning when the guests leave the area it’s reset. This creates a Jumanji-esque scenario where nothing, even getting dino chomped, ultimately has no consequence. And I see 2 eras of stories for this. There’s the first round where the stakes still feel high, and the second round where it’s taken on more of a Jungle Cruse feel. Rote and safe, even when your guide is being dragged away by velociraptors.
Chibimal Babies
Adorable articulated animal models for your 3D printer. Your choice determines what will be added.
I want to return to Chibimals with playsets (similar to what I’m proposing with polysaurus park) but with Chibimals I really want to get it right. I’m planning 8 seasons of story for The world of Chibimals with ARG elements revealing a deeper lore.
However, I can dip my toes in this again. Part of the story I’m developing includes a reason why there’s 2 types of Chibimals. The ones on all fours are the babies, and when they grow up they start walking on two feet. So this will be animals on all fours, but articulated in the middle and on all 4 legs. mostly because articulation is just fun.
Chess Variations
3D Print elegant and whimsical chess sets like no other.
So some people may already know that I got my start in 3D printing in a chess design contest. My entry Voltroned together to make a robot and I won my first 3D printer with it. Since then I’ve had a love of chess… pieces. Yeah, the game doesn’t super excite me. But I enjoy the elegance of working with the shapes of chess to make beaBut I wouldn’t mind returning to my roots and making a variety of chess sets for people to print out.
So there we are. 7 potential 3d modeling campaigns. But maybe you have an idea for something else that you’d really like to be able to 3D print. If that’s the case, be sure to check “other” on the questionnaire and fill in your suggestion. As always, I’m excited to work with you to make 3D printing projects for everyone! Go vote for your choice of campaigns to run next!
