I'm going to have to somehow make custom Lego pieces.

[BrickG]

I'm completely new to customization of minifigures. I've been wanting to do it for a while. As someone who's professionally into computer art I think I have the stuff you can paint/decal on the minifigures down. I'm just deciding what method to use.

Now... my biggest problem is that I'm probably going to need to create some completely custom pieces (shape and all?) and that's where I'm stalling. I'm very strict and need perfection (visually) with awesome smoothness and stuff. I don't know where to go here.

The problem is I'm looking to probably going to do Star Trek and Dalek customs first. Now for Star Trek, my favorite character is Geordi. There's no hair I can find that fits his style (flat top without being ridiculous), I'm probably going to hope I can find something like a waster that I can cut to make the visor. Then there's the 4th Doctor which I might cut up the Lego fro and one of them hats and try to merge them... I want to add a tiny unique piece for the Star Trek characters that acts as their collar with the pips (rank). Then there's freakin' Worf's head... Basically, I got me some problems and the perfectionist inside me wants to solve them. I've not dealt with non-computer art in years, especially anything that's sculpted. But I'm also insane.

Playdough and stuff like that probably won't do since I don't like how rough it looks. I'm wondering how some of those pros make those custom pieces.

Sorry if this question is answered somewhere here already. I couldn't find anything.

Any help would be appreciated. I think once I know I have a chance to actually do what I plan I'll go through with all of this. :)

[Hobbestimus]

Look into 3D printing.

There are even some websites, like http://www.shapeways.com/ that let you upload a design created in a computer and receive an actual physical product in return.

[BrickG]

Look into 3D printing.

There are even some websites, like http://www.shapeways.com/ that let you upload a design created in a computer and receive an actual physical product in return.

What's the quality of the pieces? Last time I checked (quite a while ago) they were printed very rough (though maybe I could do something about that myself).

EDIT: Looking at pics...

Maybe that's the best way to go... I haven't mess with 3d modeling in years.

Edited September 6, 2012 by BrickG

[Henchmen4Hire]

You can do a few things- (well, actually 2 lol)

• Buy a 3D printer for a couple thousand dollars. Shop around obviously!

Check this place out: http://objet.com/

The higher end Objet models let you print with many different materials, but the desktop series should be fine for your needs. You can use a few different types of materials with those (flexible, translucent, rigid, etc.).

I don't know what Shapeways uses but every picture I've seen of their stuff has either had a rough surface or it was a shitty picture.

• Find someone with a 3D printer and give them a few bucks to let you borrow their machine.

The materials used to print the objects aren't cheap and they can take a while to print. Give your buddy a nice tip if he's nice enough to let you use his machine.

• Sculpt them yourself.

If you're really anal about the items being perfect then I don't recommend this. If you have a few weeks/months/years to spend learning to sculpt to the point where you can make them flawless then more power to you though!

If you want to give it a shot, I recommend you use rigid stuff like jeweler's wax, Chavant (Hard), and Castilene. They all require some getting used to, in the end you'll have to make a mold of the item you made and cast it no matter which you use. You're going to need to set up a mini furnace to do this.

I suggest the jeweler's wax since it's easiest to start with (or practice with some candle wax).

Edited September 6, 2012 by DrNightmare

[BrickG]

I'd have to use one of those services. I don't have the cash for a 3D printer and even if I did I couldn't let myself buy it just for a few tiny wannabe lego pieces. And I'm anal. :)

[Omicron]

You can try your hand at resin casting. I haven't done it personally myself, but I know quite a few who have done it, and it can be done at an affordable cost.

-Omi

[BrickG]

How the heck do Firestar toys do it? They're so good.

[Omicron]

How the heck do Firestar toys do it? They're so good.

They are only resellers. They don't actually make anything.

-Omi

[BrickG]

They are only resellers. They don't actually make anything.

-Omi

Well how does Brickforge or whoever does those do them? :P

[Henchmen4Hire]

I'd have to use one of those services. I don't have the cash for a 3D printer and even if I did I couldn't let myself buy it just for a few tiny wannabe lego pieces. And I'm anal. :)

There's nothing wrong with anal.

No matter what you do, there's a similar process. If you sculpt the item then you need to make molds to make copies if you want. The clay may be too fragile in the long run so you may need to make a copy in more durable material anyway.

Obviously with the 3D printer you skip right to the finished product, you just need to create the item in 3DSMax or whatever first.

I'm guessing some of those sellers print the initial model then make molds of it so they can make copies in Alumilite or ABS or whatever it is they use. It may be expensive to use the printer for everything after all.