Color printed Heavyweight car

[bbussey]

@InterurbanModels - in preparing the digital model, did you change the color on all the faces of each component to achieve the color?  What format do you output in for color PLA?  I might try sending out some passenger car interiors to one of the printing contractors to see the end results.

Shapeways used to have a color printing process, but the results were always too bright and too translucent. Your models appear to have good opacity and good saturation.

[InterurbanModels]

The digital model - will say the STL file - is not altered at all; it's always the same. The color change is made when "slicing" the STL file, when you make the G-code that drives your printer in your application. I use Prusa Slicer.
On a given layer height, I set a color change. As I have only a single head printer, it means that the printer stops, I unload the blue spool, load the orange PLA, purge a little, and restart (in real life it's a little more complicate than this, you have to simulate a purge tower too). And so on. Orange to blue, and vice - versa. Eight times (or more depending on the color scheme).

The special (and expensive) PLA filament I use is not translucent, so there is a sharp color separation. But I have to do at least 3 layers of 0.1 mm height for a stripe (0.3 mm) to have a good result, otherwise the colors would blend. Don't hesitate to ask, if you want more information.

[dem34]

Ugh. The fact this worked as well as it did means I have no excuse to not do an MP54.  wink wink nudge nudge if somebody already has a cad model.

[apudelek]

Ugh. The fact this worked as well as it did means I have no excuse to not do an MP54.  wink wink nudge nudge if somebody already has a cad model.

PLEASE DO AN MP54.  THIS IS INTENTIONALLY ALL CAPS!

[InterurbanModels]

PLEASE DO AN MP54

Um, MP54, .... let me look. Ok, this is Long Island, but it is a MP54. By current standards it is a crude print (made some years ago)

[dem34]

Um, MP54, .... let me look. Ok, this is Long Island, but it is a MP54. By current standards it is a crude print (made some years ago)

Close enough I just got like halfway through making one with PRR diagrams before I had the foresight to dig out my HO scale one and realized I completely forgot the angle on front and butchered the clerestory.

[apudelek]

Well done with the EMU's, gents...  I'm curious what you did for the chassis and powered trucks.  Heard Kato or Tomytec ones are a good bet.  I'd like to eventually have 3 sets, probably 2 of the SPF variety and 1 of the FLID variety...

So many projects, so little time though!

[Pizzaparty]

Um, MP54, .... let me look. Ok, this is Long Island, but it is a MP54. By current standards it is a crude print (made some years ago)

I am definitely a “good enough” modeler but these look amazing!  I’m gonna need to ask for some more overtime

[NorsemanJack]

Does this mean that you can fix that awful mile wide spacing between cars on the MT heavyweights?

[InterurbanModels]

Does this mean that you can fix that awful mile wide spacing between cars on the MT heavyweights?

Yes, I can. I will make a dedicated thread on this.

[NorsemanJack]

Yes, I can. I will make a dedicated thread on this.

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!!