johnbuck Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 Hi Guys, not modelmaking I know but found this link over on the CollectSpace forum and just could not resist : http://nasa3d.arc.nasa.gov/models/printable Sent the map files to a 3D printer here in the UK and three came today....they are brilliant. The firm I used prints in white hard nylon. Forgot the paperwork on my desk and got the oil paints out and this is the result thus far, there will be some more blending/filling tomorrow. This hard nylon soaks up the paint like a sponge........... Each map is 3 inches square and about 1/8 inch thick. Gale Crater will be slightly larger. All four will go in a single box frame I think. Do hope NASA publishes more of these maps, all Apollo landing sites for example. Cheers JohnB ps. apols for the pics which I think are a tiny bit out of focus. and pps just spotted a brush hair on Mars,bottom left, now removed...comes of being impatient The near & far side of the moon and Velles Marineris on Mars. I still await Gale Crater .....will see if I can spot Curiosity wandering about....... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 Wow -- I tried to make something similar -- asteroids-- using styrofoam and Pollyfilla and found it really difficult to capture the shapes of craters properly. Every detail is captured in these 3D prints it's amazing! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
johnbuck Posted August 21, 2014 Author Share Posted August 21, 2014 Go to the NASA site link crackerjazz...they have some asteroids there also.......agreed amazing..... Cheers JohnB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hotdog Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 Hi John, I have been working with some 3D models printed in the same hard nylon material (Shapeways calls it WSF, White Strong & Flexible). I have some tips to pass along to help get a smoother finish and reduce the graininess of the surface. 1. Use a stiff brush to remove as much of the grainy material as possible. Some of it will come off, not much, but every little bit helps. You may also use some heavy sandpaper. Give it a Windex bath to remove any loose material and let it dry. 2. Brush on a thick layer of Clear Flat. This will help seal the porous surface. Do not try to spray on the Clear Flat, this does not work as well. Let that dry before moving on to the next step. 3. Brush on a 50/50 mixture of Elmer's White Glue and water. The glue will fill in the holes in the surface. After the first coat dries, you may need to apply a second or even third coat before you get the smoothness you need. 4. After the glue has completely dried, spray it with your favorite acrylic paint! Hope this helps Quote Link to post Share on other sites
johnbuck Posted August 22, 2014 Author Share Posted August 22, 2014 (edited) 'morning Hotdog, those are very useful tips indeed, many thanks. This is my first experience of dealing with 3D printed material....now to work.... Cheers JohnB Edited August 22, 2014 by johnbuck Quote Link to post Share on other sites
johnbuck Posted August 23, 2014 Author Share Posted August 23, 2014 Gentlemen, Gale Crater arrived in the post this morning and here it is 'in the raw' so to speak Larger this time : 4 1/4 X 5 1/2 inches approx. and a greater scale of course..........Curiosity must be down there somewhere. NASA, JPL, and 3D printing, what a fantastic combination.... Cheers JohnB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
johnbuck Posted August 30, 2014 Author Share Posted August 30, 2014 OK getting the hang of this hard nylon business I think. Finished Gale Crater - oil paints only. I am amazed by just how good these maps are for detail Cheers JohnB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hotdog Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 Looks outstanding! Great work! Now, how long will it take the oils to dry on that ever-so-pourous nylon??? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
johnbuck Posted August 31, 2014 Author Share Posted August 31, 2014 (edited) Hi Hotdog, Thanks for your kind words... really appreciated. Got the ???...absolutely indeed...instantaneous.... Priming with oil it still dries almost instantaneously which is useful but gradually slows down as the different glazes go on which gives time for blending which one would expect I guess. Found it also takes 'rubbing back' well and this all of course helps fill in the 'grain'. Yep...essentially it dries overnight almost...extraordinary material....... Now on to the others.... Cheers JohnB Edited August 31, 2014 by johnbuck Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ralf Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Great work, the painted 3D maps look gorgeous. I'll bet they will make also a great base for some models. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Agree -- it's just like being there, the way you've painted these incredible landscapes with the highlights and color variations - and they look huge, too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 That's a really amazing job!!! I checked out the site but was surprised they didn't appear to have Tranquility Base?! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
johnbuck Posted September 2, 2014 Author Share Posted September 2, 2014 (edited) Thanks Guys for your kind words...really appreciated. I contacted NASA David L and have suggested all the Apollo landing sites but clearly Apollo 11 should be a priority... A larger scale of Valles Marineris would be nice too. It could be printed in rectangles the size of the Gale and then joined up. I live in hopes....... Am still working on and off on my large ( 20" diam. ) 3D Topographical Earth globe. Am using the NASA Blue Marble web site for referencing the colours ( no clouds ). Its surprising how dark the colours are with the atmosphere removed. I do find theses 3D maps aesthetically very pleasing and fun to do. Its a big advance on the papier-mache 3D maps I made as a kid..... Cheers JohnB Edited September 2, 2014 by johnbuck Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 So ... are these Earth 'models' 3D printed by NASA too, John? ;) What I find fascinating on these topo maps is the topography of the ocean floor ... it illustrates plate tectonics perfectly ... ! The colour you've applied is lovely! ... and you're taking on all these new projects ... can I assume I missed the completed 'Bronzed' Moonwalker? :o Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
johnbuck Posted September 2, 2014 Author Share Posted September 2, 2014 (edited) Thanks Pete for the complement...much appreciated. The bathymetric globe I bought 7 years ago !! and I dabble at it now and again, Friends tell me it is hanging upside down ?.............. The ocean floor blows them all away. It is rather beautiful, even more so when it is finished !! . It's construction is of a type of white polypropylene and it came ready to paint. There was only one seam line to clean up so it is clearly moulded in two halves and 'welded' together. Wish I new how the original master moulds were created. No you have not missed Moonwalker...I just get sidetracked; my excuse is that the paint has been drying for six weeks or so. Co-incdentally to your post, I put on the first coat of clear beeswax this afternoon... will update the topic now. Cheers JohnB Edited September 2, 2014 by johnbuck Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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