Mold3D offers a site for 3D printing enthusiasts and artists to share and learn their craft. Evidence of the network developed by Mold3D can be seen at the 3D Printer World Expo in Burbank California this week. They follow the motto to encourage 3D modellers, sculptors, designers and enthusiasts to find a place to learn, share, promote and be inspired. If you are on the sunny coast of the US, you can find them at booth #107 with prints by artists working in various top-tier animation, vfx and animation studios. One of the splendid features of Mold3D, run by Robert Vignone and Edward Quintero, is the Q&A articles with various types of 3D printing artists discussing the influence and importance of 3D printing in their process and careers.
On Mold3D the focus is actually the variety of artists and their respective paths to the world of 3D printing. The site fosters a collective sense of quality and fascination with the medium as it pertains to prints. However, the prints often transform into models for other platforms such as videogames or become highly sought after sculptures themselves. One common denominator among many of the artists is that they use ZBrush. The invaluable tool allows the prints to be designed at a level of detail and manipulation that would prove cost or time prohibitive with alternative design tools.
A video tutorial, for your perusal, can be found here.
Additionally, some of the advice is priceless. Sculptors and model makers, Andre Masters and CJ Munn espouse the arduous yet important learning process. “Learning any new skill is a challenge, so first you have to fully commit to the mindset that there really isn’t going to be any kind of fast track, short cut approach that halves the amount of work necessary to complete the task at hand. You have to immerse yourself in what you are trying to learn, practice constantly and do not allow any preconceptions to cloud your potential for future creative growth which could adversely cap your imagination.”
3D printing does fit into a new speed of life, a sense of entitlement almost, when it seems anything can be simply printed out upon request and command. The words of wisdom from Masters and Munn emphasise the work involved, the effort needed to make something truly special and not take for granted the finished product. Yes, a project once unwieldy can become possible and proliferate with 3D printing, but there is a skill that must be learned and honed for the right quality. And the reward is worth the toil as evident in the beautiful prints and projects littered on Mold3D.
