Weekly Developer Log #3: Ship Builder Kickstarter

Hello everyone!

It's Friday and it's time for a update on the Ship Builder Project. If you missed last log check the link: Weekly Developer Log #2: Ship Builder Kickstarter | Patreon

Last time I finished the post decided to work on the walls but, after thinking a bit I changed my mind. Since I'm not working with Open lock system or any other proven concept tile, I had to test and see how it would look like when printed, how it would behave and etc.

So I worked and made the tile in Blender, according to last weeks planning (2mm detail layer and 2mm structural layer, total of 4mm). I moved to Zbrush to add some textures to it. The textures are not final and do not represent the final piece, the boards won't be aligned like that.

Doing this print was a prototype do test some few things:

• Cost: this print with supports is around 11.1 (g), a 3x2 Tile
• Detail: I wanted to test if a 2mm layer would be enough to add texture and how deep should I carve in order for the details to look good. It's easy to loose reference when working on a small piece.
• Printability: It might be a bit too early for this but I have to be concerned about how this piece would print, I also have to keep in mind that this piece will be printed with many others, therefore is important to think about this.

Test result

My prototype printed and I realized that I have to add a bit more supports on the top most part, the resin turned into strings by the lack of it. I got a little bit of bending, meaning that I will need to reinforce the structure and add a bit more supports for printing.

The Details are in a nice level, I think they will take paint and wash nicely.

Cutdown

After this test I decided to cutdown the idea of a interlocking wood tile, the reason for this is that adding a bit more overhang on the piece would increase the amount of supports and also increase the Build plate space, both of these represent a increase in cost and printing time (it would also made harder for FDM).

Naming Convention and File Structure

After I extracted the file to add supports and test print I realized that I would need to create a naming convention and a better folder structure for these pieces, the reason for this is that since this ship will be build from many pieces it might be confusing to find the pieces that you are looking for to print yours.

So far I thought in the following things:

• Bow: Front Part of the Ship
• Stern: Back Part of the Ship
• Exterior Walls: Walls for the Hull, mainly mid section
• Interior Walls: Walls that will be part of the interior decoration.
• Floor: All floor tiles, except uniques that are part of Bow or Stern.

If you have any naming suggestions, or folder structure, please let me know.

Next Week

For the next week I will plan on continuing the floor tiles, improving from this week prototype failures.

I also just realized that I don't need to build a full boat for prototype, only half. This also make me think on the possibility of making a scene like those "ant farms" where you print only a section of the ship and use it to display your miniatures or make a diorama.

Best regards,

Ivo