3D printed figurines are fun to make, but in most cases, they don’t do much – they just stand upright or sit there rigidly. Of course, unless they were made by Hauke Scheer, a designer who admired our work in the past. Scheer created incredible articulated action figures that can bend and move into a series of poses. Scheer’s details are very detailed, almost as realistic as the action figures can see, and he has used them to make amazing stop-motion videos.
A few years ago, Scheer 3D printed an action figure of his own, at least as real as any Shapeie, which is very impressive considering the fact that he does not have a 3D scanner – he can only work from photos. Recently, he created an updated version of the picture and a new video, which you can watch below. Scheer did not stop to move, but filmed his own moving character:
Because of Scheer’s new Formlabs Form 2 3D printer, its print size is smaller than before, so this latest data is particularly impressive. The image is only 3 inches and 3/4 inches high, but the level of detail maintained is equal to or higher than the previous level.
“The new durable material the Form2 printer uses makes it also extremely easy to handle the figure,” Scheer told us. “This figure has almost the same properties as a mass-produced PVC figure. It has very sturdy joints, can hold accessories, and can even have add on clothing parts. Paint chipping may be an issue in the long run but so far I am very happy. This is the closest to emulate a mass-produced toy I ever came with a 3D printed prototype.”
If anything, Scheer’s action figures are better than many production figures. Most mass-produced action figures I have seen are prone to fall if pushed or placed on an uneven surface, but the video shows Scheer’s figure bending, leaning, and standing on one foot on rocky terrain. The image shows the statue standing in trees and rivers, even “climbing” rocks.
“The figure was created using Modo with additional work like the plug holes for the joints done in Netfabb,” Scheer told us. “All parts easily snap together and need very little post processing except for the removal of the supports. I also took the figure on a hiking trip in Scotland to see how it would do in action. The figure held up very well except for some slight paint chips.”
According to Scheer, Formlabs’ durable resin is well-known. Paint fragments mostly occur when putting on and taking off the 3D printed character poncho. The joints use ABS. If you want to have a clear, detailed action figure hiking with you, Scheer will provide commissioned work through his website based on the photos sent to him by the customer. For a child, this may be a great gift idea; his or her own active figure is definitely more exciting than a statue sitting on a shelf or table. Especially characters with the flexibility and balance that Scheer can create.
