Beginner 3D Modeled / Printed Proton Gun

Greetings, Brobusters. Loooooooong time no post from this guy.

I’ve spent the past couple of months putting some free time in to getting better at 3D modeling, and my first big adventure in to that world is with the proton gun. I’ve done a few other models so far, but definitely nothing on this level, just small simple stuff here and there. Everything is based on Venkman71’s plans in the info section here, which are frakking brilliant! I’ve built several throwers from different sellers over the years, and I took my favorite parts from them and added them together with some tweaks here and there that I’ve found work better or make things easier.

I’m definitely still in the beginner stages, so you more advanced guys will notice quirks in the models occasionally. If anyone has any suggestions or tips for the modeling process I’m all ears. One of my biggest problems is that I still can’t figure out how to render images properly, so the pictures I have are of the model in edit mode. Ill provide links to my Shapweays page for everything I’ve done so far so that you can get a full 360 degree view of everything.

Here’s an earlier version of the different models grouped together: Almost every part has been tweaked since this screenshot has been taken, I just haven’t taken another screenshot yet. Lazy me.

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And the links to the more current versions on Shapeways:

Main Body: http://www.shapeways.com/model/1607638/proton-gun.html?li=search-results&materialId=90

Gun Track and Base: http://www.shapeways.com/model/1582781/gun-track.html?li=search-results&materialId=90

Rear Assembly: http://www.shapeways.com/model/1575341/rear-cylinder.html?li=search-results&materialId=90

Trigger Box: http://www.shapeways.com/model/1570821/trigger-box.html?li=search-results&materialId=90

Hope you likey!

Looks good.

One thing I’d recommend is turning up the number of segments on your circles. Shapeways will literally print them as 20 sided octagons and not circles.

Any suggestions on how to do that? I tried dividing the faces first, and it helped a little, but you can still clearly see that its segmented. When I applied a smooth modifier to the front cylinder, the entire model went all screwey.

On a related note, I’ve added in the rear handle port, and tweaked the size and position of the top vents and light holes.

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First part has rolled out of the printer and gotten its first run thru with spot putty and sanding. I started small using the trigger box as a test piece since I havent gotten a lot of time with the actual printer. Im extremely pumped that I got as close as I did on the first pass. Hopefully the rest of the pieces will come out this close. Apologies for picture size.

All the comparison measurements are taken from Sean Bishop’s plans posted in the plans section here.

Compare to .8125"

Compare to 2.75"

Compare to 1"