New 3D models and shop: *New Bull Javan Rhino

I am amazed!      

I just ordered the pair!  They will be here in less then 2weeks, I'll post pictures as soon as they arrive!!!

  just unbelievable!!!!!!  

Great rhinoceros! I believe those are the only ones available at this point, aren't they?

Gorgeous! O.O this is just gorgeous!

Your rhino pair looks fantastic, Elephas! Really life-like!

Thanks for the comments everyone.

Geospiza fortis wrote:

Great rhinoceros! I believe those are the only ones available at this point, aren't they?

These are the only rhinos I have available currently along with all the elephants.  I believe they are the only Javan rhinos for sale as the Bullyland ones are discontinued?

Kikimalou wrote:

It is again a fantastic model Andrew     I especially like the way the two models are working together.

Where will I find enough money ? That's the big question... I will find a big answer   

  
Same problem here!

Lovely pair of rhinos      

Great models. Do you think you could also create an alternate version of the adult and baby indian/african elephants that have trunks in their mouths whereby their trunks are out? Would be great to see such versions too.

Impressive work.

Numaan wrote:

Great models.  Do you think you could also create an alternate version of the adult and baby indian/african elephants that have trunks in their mouths whereby their trunks are out?   Would be great to see such versions too.

Impressive work.

Yes with 3D models it is possible to make alterations such as you suggested. That is a great advantage over traditional clay models, much easier to customize multiple versions.

When will the asian elephant bull be available again?
And what's with the african bull?

I also can't wait them Christoph. I would like to buy both elephant bulls and javan rhino bull but I hadn't enough money to order them, when they were available. Since I can afford to buy them, they aren't available.

Noémi wrote:

I also can't wait them Christoph. I would like to buy both elephant bulls and javan rhino bull but I hadn't enough money to order them, when they were available. Since I can afford to buy them, they aren't available.

That as my problem too

I think these elephants are perfect. I love their pose and everything.

Melekh wrote:

When will the asian elephant bull be available again?
And what's with the african bull?

Noémi wrote:

I also can't wait them Christoph. I would like to buy both elephant bulls and javan rhino bull but I hadn't enough money to order them, when they were available. Since I can afford to buy them, they aren't available.

Hi Christoph and Noémi,

I apologize for the inconvenience.  I wrote a post about this on another topic on the forum stating price changes on Shapeways had nearly doubled and I decided to take down my models as the prices were highly inflated.  
can be read here:
https://sts-forum.forumieren.de/t10444p30-grevy-s-zebra-and-indian-elephant-models

I have been busy with my work so have not figured out a solution to this yet.  I believe that it may come down to me sculpting smaller species and offering those for sale via Shapeways as big figures like adult elephants and rhinos just end up costing too much for the end product.

I will update you all on the forum as things progress. Thanks!

So no more perfect elephants in 1/20....

I understand your reasons, but it's a big disappointment.

I hope in the future there will be a possibility for you to offer them again.
They are just perfect :)

Hi Andrew, I'm also really sad to hear that, I was hoping to get one of these 1/20 elephants. Too bad to see that I'm too late. 
But I got a idea, there exist some online shops that print models. Would it may be possible to sell the plans and not the figure?  Or would be that to unsafe, because everyone can print as many as he want?

arafan wrote:

Hi Andrew, I'm also really sad to hear that, I was hoping to get one of these 1/20 elephants. Too bad to see that I'm too late. 
But I got a idea, there exist some online shops that print models. Would it may be possible to sell the plans and not the figure?  Or would be that to unsafe, because everyone can print as many as he want?

I'm thinking about the same.

Melekh wrote:

So no more perfect elephants in 1/20....

I understand your reasons, but it's a big disappointment.

I hope in the future there will be a possibility for you to offer them again.
They are just perfect :)

Hi Christoph, I too am very disappointed with the situation as the Shapeways shop was running smoothly until the new price changes.  This weekend I looked at a few other 3D printing services but they all ended up costing more than Shapeways.  
The white plastic that I chose from Shapeways was their most economical, best selling material and considered a good value with the old pricing.  The company caught on (even after offering the old price for years) and decided to double and triple the prices but in the long term I think this will hurt their business as there are many, many angry designers who feel completely betrayed (their forums are filled with angry designers who are in the same situation as myself).

I'm still going to try to see if I can work something out, it may come down to offering the elephants as model kits with a separate head and body which the customer would assemble......not sure yet.  

arafan wrote:

Hi Andrew, I'm also really sad to hear that, I was hoping to get one of these 1/20 elephants. Too bad to see that I'm too late. 
But I got a idea, there exist some online shops that print models. Would it may be possible to sell the plans and not the figure?  Or would be that to unsafe, because everyone can print as many as he want?

Hi Bryan, I would prefer not to have my original model design available for download, I like to keep control of that.  I originally uploaded my design to Shapeways and then models were printed on demand as customers ordered them.
In this way customers could order a plastic model but do not have access to the original 3D design, I retain that.

elephas_maximus wrote:

arafan wrote:

Hi Andrew, I'm also really sad to hear that, I was hoping to get one of these 1/20 elephants. Too bad to see that I'm too late. 
But I got a idea, there exist some online shops that print models. Would it may be possible to sell the plans and not the figure?  Or would be that to unsafe, because everyone can print as many as he want?

Hi Bryan, I would prefer not to have my original model design available for download, I like to keep control of that.  I originally uploaded my design to Shapeways and then models were printed on demand as customers ordered them.
In this way customers could order a plastic model but do not have access to the original 3D design, I retain that.

Very wise decision Andrew, even if we are all orphans now Why I haven't bought them at time? crazy macaque!

elephas_maximus wrote:

Melekh wrote:

So no more perfect elephants in 1/20....

I understand your reasons, but it's a big disappointment.

I hope in the future there will be a possibility for you to offer them again.
They are just perfect :)

Hi Christoph, I too am very disappointed with the situation as the Shapeways shop was running smoothly until the new price changes.  This weekend I looked at a few other 3D printing services but they all ended up costing more than Shapeways.  
The white plastic that I chose from Shapeways was their most economical, best selling material and considered a good value with the old pricing.  The company caught on (even after offering the old price for years) and decided to double and triple the prices but in the long term I think this will hurt their business as there are many, many angry designers who feel completely betrayed (their forums are filled with angry designers who are in the same situation as myself).

I'm still going to try to see if I can work something out, it may come down to offering the elephants as model kits with a separate head and body which the customer would assemble......not sure yet.  

The kit sounds like a good idea.

What I imagine is that you would print one elephant in good detailed material and then take a silicone mould from that (or find a company making this kind of moulds). Indeed, the tusks are a bit challenging for moulding so probably would require separate mould. I don't think however dividing it into more parts is necessary. The rubber mould usually let most four legged sculptures to be cast in one piece (except for the tusks which are crossed in adult male elephant). I suppose you are able to find a company that would make the mould and casts for you. Many artists from the horse model hobby use this kind of services. And I suppose the costs of making mould and resin copies would be in this case cheaper than Shapeways 3D prints. (also, the silicone mould give really great, detailed copies)

Ana wrote:

The kit sounds like a good idea.

What I imagine is that you would print one elephant in good detailed material and then take a silicone mould from that (or find a company making this kind of moulds). Indeed, the tusks are a bit challenging for moulding so probably would require separate mould. I don't think however dividing it into more parts is necessary. The rubber mould usually let most four legged sculptures to be cast in one piece (except for the tusks which are crossed in adult male elephant). I suppose you are able to find a company that would make the mould and casts for you.  Many artists from the horse model hobby use this kind of services. And I suppose the costs of making mould and resin copies would be in this case cheaper than Shapeways 3D prints. (also, the silicone mould give really great, detailed copies)

Sorry, I should have been more clear, when I mentioned model kit I meant a 3D printed model kit.  If I separate the head from the body there would be a large hole in the model where Shapeways can fill with more tiny objects as it prints thus reducing the costs....its a bit complicated the reasoning and specifications but thats basically the idea.  They charge each model differently based on how much space it takes up in the printer and my large elephants took up a big area but if they could fit other models inside the hollow elephant body while printing the price goes down.

I have never separated a 3D model before though so we will see if that even works.

Yes, I previously had silicone moulds made for an 3D printed elephant model that was cast in plastic resin for a zoo (all copies are spoken for).  It was a lot of work preparing, painting and finishing each model but the end result, I agree, is very nice.  With my current work schedule I simply don't have the time to do that again unfortunately, maybe in the future but not presently.  Thanks for your input.

Ana wrote:

elephas_maximus wrote:

Melekh wrote:

So no more perfect elephants in 1/20....

I understand your reasons, but it's a big disappointment.

I hope in the future there will be a possibility for you to offer them again.
They are just perfect :)

Hi Christoph, I too am very disappointed with the situation as the Shapeways shop was running smoothly until the new price changes.  This weekend I looked at a few other 3D printing services but they all ended up costing more than Shapeways.  
The white plastic that I chose from Shapeways was their most economical, best selling material and considered a good value with the old pricing.  The company caught on (even after offering the old price for years) and decided to double and triple the prices but in the long term I think this will hurt their business as there are many, many angry designers who feel completely betrayed (their forums are filled with angry designers who are in the same situation as myself).

I'm still going to try to see if I can work something out, it may come down to offering the elephants as model kits with a separate head and body which the customer would assemble......not sure yet.  

The kit sounds like a good idea.

What I imagine is that you would print one elephant in good detailed material and then take a silicone mould from that (or find a company making this kind of moulds). Indeed, the tusks are a bit challenging for moulding so probably would require separate mould. I don't think however dividing it into more parts is necessary. The rubber mould usually let most four legged sculptures to be cast in one piece (except for the tusks which are crossed in adult male elephant). I suppose you are able to find a company that would make the mould and casts for you.  Many artists from the horse model hobby use this kind of services. And I suppose the costs of making mould and resin copies would be in this case cheaper than Shapeways 3D prints. (also, the silicone mould give really great, detailed copies)

Really good idea Anna!

elephas_maximus wrote:

Ana wrote:

The kit sounds like a good idea.

What I imagine is that you would print one elephant in good detailed material and then take a silicone mould from that (or find a company making this kind of moulds). Indeed, the tusks are a bit challenging for moulding so probably would require separate mould. I don't think however dividing it into more parts is necessary. The rubber mould usually let most four legged sculptures to be cast in one piece (except for the tusks which are crossed in adult male elephant). I suppose you are able to find a company that would make the mould and casts for you.  Many artists from the horse model hobby use this kind of services. And I suppose the costs of making mould and resin copies would be in this case cheaper than Shapeways 3D prints. (also, the silicone mould give really great, detailed copies)

Sorry, I should have been more clear, when I mentioned model kit I meant a 3D printed model kit.  If I separate the head from the body there would be a large hole in the model where Shapeways can fill with more tiny objects as it prints thus reducing the costs....its a bit complicated the reasoning and specifications but thats basically the idea.  They charge each model differently based on how much space it takes up in the printer and my large elephants took up a big area but if they could fit other models inside the hollow elephant body while printing the price goes down.

I have never separated a 3D model before though so we will see if that even works.

Yes, I previously had silicone moulds made for an 3D printed elephant model that was cast in plastic resin for a zoo (all copies are spoken for).  It was a lot of work preparing, painting and finishing each model but the end result, I agree, is very nice.  With my current work schedule I simply don't have the time to do that again unfortunately, maybe in the future but not presently.  Thanks for your input.

Oh, now I understand. I thought you were talking about resin copies kits.

So you actually took mould and made copies already. Yes, it is a lot of work. And prepping plus painting them later is even more work indeed! It's easy to understand that you may have not enough time for that all now. However, perhaps you can consider an option of selling raw copies, straight from the mould. Or/and the option of sending the raw copies to people who are able to prep them and paint them for collectors?