Shapeways Shops

[Erik aka Ngineer]

It's funny how some designers wont offer other scale products in N.  I know it's not as simple as simply scaling a product up or down in software and slapping it back on the site; but it is vastly easier than creating tooling.  And the possibility of increased sales shold appeal to a designer, no?

Similarly, I am meeting resistance in designers offering FXD, which confounds me.  While most of his stuff is Z scale (and his shop not geared to help N scalers by clearly identifying N scale models), the aforementioned Southernscale has a P&H 1055B excavator in N that I'd like.  FXD would heighten the boom detail so I asked if he'd offer the product in this material and apparently he designed the original to use so much material that FXD would double its price, which is already at 33 and change.  OK you obviously don't want money...

Indeed it's not just scaling up or down, you have to add or remove details and wall thickness. Did you tell him you want to buy that model in N scale in FXD? If so I wonder why he does not offer that option, it's only a few clicks.

[sirenwerks]

Indeed it's not just scaling up or down, you have to add or remove details and wall thickness. Did you tell him you want to buy that model in N scale in FXD? If so I wonder why he does not offer that option, it's only a few clicks.

Yes, that's all I asked.  He balked about the potential retail price and didn't do it.

[peteski]

Yes, that's all I asked.  He balked about the potential retail price and didn't do it.

That's strange as I don't think that woudl have cost him anything.  Seems odd that he is turning away potential buyers (willing to spend the big bucks).   

[jimmo]

One factor that might not have been thought of (and it's one that I've encountered). A lot of these designers have regular jobs and don't really need the extra money. Also a lot of them are just interested in their hobby and not ours, so taking time to rework a file so it will print in our scale is more than they care to deal with.

[sirenwerks]

Jimmo, did you forget an emoticon there? Who, with a regular job, doesn't need extra money these days?

[3rdboxcar]

One factor that might not have been thought of (and it's one that I've encountered). A lot of these designers have regular jobs and don't really need the extra money. Also a lot of them are just interested in their hobby and not ours, so taking time to rework a file so it will print in our scale is more than they care to deal with.

That is basically how I view my shop, I add enough markup to cover my costs, i.e. books for research, test prints that generally are throw away and hair styling costs. I have come across people demanding I rescale or produce a model for them, they just get a polite no and those that ask I will help whenever I can.

I model in N but all my HO stuff is done for new friends, i.e. they have helped in getting information to design the model, sent me loco shell to work from etc.

PS - the hair styling costs are when I have pulled chunks out when trying to figure out a problem.

[Erik aka Ngineer]

That is basically how I view my shop, I add enough markup to cover my costs, i.e. books for research, test prints that generally are throw away and hair styling costs. I have come across people demanding I rescale or produce a model for them, they just get a polite no and those that ask I will help whenever I can.

I model in N but all my HO stuff is done for new friends, i.e. they have helped in getting information to design the model, sent me loco shell to work from etc.

PS - the hair styling costs are when I have pulled chunks out when trying to figure out a problem.

Same here, except that I haven't had any demands yet....

[3rdboxcar]

Same here, except that I haven't had any demands yet....

That's because you have some good ideas and produce nice stuff.

[basementcalling]

Same here, except that I haven't had any demands yet....

I made suggestions. Quite pleased with how you made my idea into a product.

[jimmo]

Jimmo, did you forget an emoticon there? Who, with a regular job, doesn't need extra money these days?

Whether it's true or not, I can't say but that's what I've heard more than once. That's why I found a way into this, I got weary of asking and waiting for others.

[Erik aka Ngineer]

Thanks guys! I appreciate suggestions, I like a challenge and seeing the end result. I am not very good at scratchbuilding, so this is a great substitute.

[peteski]

Thanks guys! I appreciate suggestions, I like a challenge and seeing the end result. I am not very good at scratchbuilding, so this is a great substitute.

But you *ARE* scratchbuilding, only in virtual workspace!    I have a good grasp of the physical materials and how to make them into something that looks like a model, but 3D CAD modeling requires yet another (and very different) set of very useful skills.  Especially in today's world.

[jimmo]

But you *ARE* scratchbuilding, only in virtual workspace!    I have a good grasp of the physical materials and how to make them into something that looks like a model, but 3D CAD modeling requires yet another (and very different) set of very useful skills.  Especially in today's world.

So true Pete. For me it is actually easier (and a lot less messy). A recent project that took me about a month to construct by hand only took me days on the program I'm using. Laying all the parts out in Adobe Illustrator and importing them in as .svg (2D) made things go way faster. I found that the assembly process was so similar to building by hand, it was easy to pick up on and roll with it.

[nscaleSPF2]

I found that the assembly process was so similar to building by hand...

That is the absolute truth, jimmo.  It also requires the ability to visualize objects in 3 dimensions, which is a developed skill.  This does not come overnight.

[coosvalley]

Here's one with some Fairbanks Morse H-10-44/H-12-44's

http://www.shapeways.com/shops/sboulder