Improving the detailing of our minis

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While we’ve received very nice compliments regarding Asharah’s Command Group, the most perfectionists amongst you have lamented the lack of definition of certain details. And we do agree, we must go further in our quest for quality.

Digital sculpting and 3D printing techniques are still little used in the manufacturing of 28mm miniatures, so we’ve experimented quite a bit to improve the process. For example, one would think that if a detail does not come out sufficiently crisp on our minis, this is due to a lack of definition in the 3D printing. But we realized that the problem was more complex than that.

And so, for our upcoming models including our new releases Legendary and Heroic Syl-Iriah, we’ve completely revised our work methods and came at this detail issue from four different angles.

First, the 3D sculpt: in the scales at which we work, many aspects of the sculpting process are crucial in the rendering of details. Through trial-and-error, we have created specifications for our sculptors who now apply these techniques that are particular to 28 and 54mm minis.

Then, the 3D printing tests: we now make test prints for each item to allow the foundry to better anticipate mould-making and casting issues before the final 3D master is produced.

3D printing the master: We have found new printing technology that allows for a significant increase in the level of detail.

The manual touch-ups: we are hiring traditional sculptors and conversion experts to edit the details of our masters when necessary. Although we did manual touch-ups on our first group of minis, this time we want to work more proactively with more experienced people. (If this job interests you, contact us!)

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