This has been an interesting journey so far with quite a few milestones. So much learning too. From inception to automation, optimizations on blender performance, improvements to print settings, sculpting and major improvements on mesh quality as well as file sizes. My first post on Patreon was December 8, 2024 so it has been about two months for 200 models. I’m not sure at this point if I can get 1000 done this year or not partly because the dream of <5 minute models is gone but also because I’m having too much fun making these models better.
The photos here are the most recent that haven’t been posted here but made it to thingiverse and printables. They are:
A bucket with a fish in it (AI Slop)
A set of retro style goblins with various weapons
A “lore accurate” Canada Goose (with tongue)
A cannon (which I have since optimized slightly for thicker cables at the back)
A shark headed ghoul
Some chairs (dnd props)
A mimic (model #200) and a variant printed at 300% – maybe a little trophy
I’ve also posted the 1000 downloads milestone. It’s not a large amount and I don’t really have any models that have blown up. I see some others doing AI models and from what I see they’re going straight from the engine and posting it – many are creating cheap junk (AI Slop) and I think that tweaks something in me 1) I feel resentment 2) I worry I too am creating cheap junk – this is why I created the AI Slop bucket. I see a lot of others doing this AI art defending it and saying they’ve spent “hundreds of hours” on their craft and I could say the same about mine but then I kinda feel like IF you have to work really hard to justify your actions and defend yourself then you must feel some guilt. So I created an AI Slop bucket and now it’s over and I can refocus on working hard, learning and most importantly – having fun.
What’s next? I have it in mind that at 200 I would return to models that require facial sculpting so humans, elves etc… I have been avoiding these since the early ones and the redone humans. I’ll start with redoing the elves and then I have some really nice, boring, Human models lined up. John Everyman fighter and wizard. Some myconids (mushroom people), more birdfolk, more props. I really want to do a mega structure but I don’t think I’d use AI for it – maybe just a vector that I add geometry to.
I’m going to keep posting immediately to Printables and Thingiverse and do more of a recap and journey update here (with the occassional video maybe). I’m also trying to print every model that I make so it’s not just theory – it’s tried and tested.
That’s all for now :)!
