How Raging Heroes minis are made
posted October 01, 2009
Our manufacturing process is a bit different from what minis’ manufacturers usually do. We thought it would be nice to explain it a bit to you, especially because many of the pics you see on the website are specific to this process.
It starts like any creative process does: a lot of brainstorm and many sketches. The results are then summarized on a character sheet that shows a finalized hand-drawn version of the soon-to-be-miniature.
Then we create a prototype with 3D software. This allows us to rework the character’s pose and design as we wish, and there’s a lot of back-and-forth between the 3D and the hand-drawn concepts. We end up with a document that could be considered as something between a drawn concept and a traditional green. The pics showing the figs in ivory are pics of this stage.
From then on, we create a 54mm and 28mm sculpt, adjusting proportions to each specific scale. Depending on the fig, proportion changes can be minor or more important.
Then two masters are created. The photographs of Moloss and Minion (in a grey resin) are pictures taken at this step. You can see that the master is absolutely true to the 3D prototype. The master is used to create the moulds needed to produce the mini either in resin or white metal.



Comments
What 3D program are you using for your sculpts? what kind of machine are you using for the prototype and does it hold the detail of the 3d sculpt?
Thanks!
Doug
Posted by Snakeking on January 02, 2010
We work mainly with ZBrush at this time. The details come out properly in the printing process, but nevertheless require some manual touching up before going to casting.
Posted by Raging Heroes Team on January 09, 2010
How many hours do you have to put in on a singel mini from start to finish? Do you think that your process takes more or less time than the traditional green putty way of sculpting.
Posted by Joe Matzke on April 09, 2010
How do you get your original print to be cast in pewter? surely the printed material is quite brittle and would break apart if you used it to make a traditional vulcanised rubber mold?
Posted by clare on June 14, 2010