I’d like to 3d print a small action figure. Something like this MM figure. Where can I find a file or produce a file to do this? Help!
You should be able to find an answer here:
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=3d+model+marilyn+monroe
Thanks. What is the extension of the file format?
You’ll find that .STL is most common, followed by .OBJ and others. More recently is the development of .AMF files, specifically for prints composed of segments to be printed on a multi-color 3d printer (expensive) or printed of different materials. That last one is so recent that I’ve only seen one file in that format and it was merely an example of the format, not a production item.
If you’re going to have this printed by an agency rather than your own printer, as I suspect is the case, consider the material to be used and expect prices to be quite high per unit volume.
SLS printing from nylon powder is the most likely candidate for a print of this detail. “Ordinary” 3d printers using filament are likely to generate a somewhat coarse looking model, lacking detail. One could possibly have this printed with an SLA/DLP resin type printer at high resolution, but the big online 3d printer services typically will use SLS as it is more productive and cost effective for them. Resolution of SLS is as good as or better than SLA or DLP as well.
Unless you shell out the big money, you should expect to be painting the model yourself.
Rascal @Fred_U 
@Fred_U Thanks for that information. Much appreciated.
Copyright 2015 Blitzway. All rights reserved. Does this have no meaning to you? An artist took a very long time to produce this work of art and I would assume they have a licensing agreement with the owners of Marilyn’s image. I’m constantly amazed at how cavalier people are about theft. Even when you can find a 3D file that someone may have created by scanning an original model, it was not their model to give away. Even if I were to sculpt her completely on my own in clay, I am still violating a copyright of the use of her image.
“Something like this” has quite a bit of meaning to me. It implies not the model presented as an example.
I’m constantly amazed at how people don’t read the words in place and create inaccurate assumptions about a specific individual’s intent.
Should your comment be directed at someone using different phrases and a different objective, it would be better posted to the forum frequented by that someone.
If you were to sculpt Marilyn Monroe’s image, you are not violating a copyright. It’s called fair use. Should you attempt to market that sculpture, you might be violating a copyright.
The foundation on which you base your opinion is somewhat crumbly.
@Fred_U Yes, you are correct. Forgive me, but I have witnessed too much of similar behavior by people with 3D printers and 3D scanners. There was a time when an artist could sculpt wonderful things and sell them without worry. One example is an artist that makes a very high end chess set where each piece may be worth several hundred dollars. Now one person can scan those pieces and upload them to the various printing forums and then thousands of people claim “fair use” when they print them for their own set. You don’t see this as a problem?
I recognize that the legal and artistic rights aspect of today’s society has not kept pace with the technology. I will not dispute that an artist deserves to be compensated for his work.
The activities you reference will continue, and there may be spotty enforcement of rights, but that’s not an answer. Passing laws that are not, or can not be enforced is not a solution. I don’t have a solution, of course, and it appears that an equitable answer is not forthcoming.
It’s not limited to 3d printing, of course. I’m surprised that music creation continues to this day, despite YouTube download software and equivalent. The same can be said of movies, of course. 3D printing is simply another development of creation versus rights.
I have a designed a 3d printed part which I hope to sell, specific to a hobby activity. I won’t post it on the open sites, as it would remove possible revenue, but I’m not going to kid myself that it won’t get duplicated eventually.
None of these comments I’m making are answers to the overall problem. If I had THE answer, it’s possible there would be money in that, as well!
Understood. I guess I was just in a foul mood today because of some work email. Still, it doesn’t hurt to remind the forum now and then of what is and is not acceptable in a more general sense. Whether they listen or care is another story. I followed the link posted above and sure enough there are many places offering 3D files of Marilyn. It is likely none have the actual license. Oh well, not my battle to fight…
I’m happy we are able to remain civil about this. We appear to agree on the foundation after all, but the implementation is beyond my reach, and perhaps yours as you suggest.
Even the “mainstream media” in any form one would choose is fond of presenting this same problem, yet they also appear to be unable to locate any person or organization with a solution, other than useless regulation.
To the original poster, I apologize. There are open source programs like http://makehuman.org where you can make a female figure and likely turn it into stl. There are also programs like Blender. There are also more sexually oriented programs where you can buy your own “girl” and purchase clothing packs and such to model her in. These are the programs making interesting rendered 3D porn. Not that I have seen such a thing before… wink.
@Nathan_Walkner Tell that to Hasbro toy company, who is being sued $5 million by Fox News Anchor Harris Faulkner. I’m sure they would love your advice.
Good morning folks. I apologize if I created a controversy. Let me explain. I work with resellers of educational products and they sell entry level 3d printers for use in teaching the basics. I was just looking for a small figurine the we could print in a reasonable time in order to demonstrate the capabilities of the machine. I’m a MM fan and I am conscious of copyrights and had no intention of commercializing or reselling the results. Besides, finishing the detail and paint is not something I could do. I enjoyed reading all the comments and will continue to look for a similar figurine. Obviously I would not have posted that photo of a finished product if I intended to copy it and commercialize copies. I’m not in that business at all. Regards.
Check out Daz3D.com You might find a figure and assets there or close enough that you could just customize with their free software. You can export an obj of the figure to print. You could peice together and pose your own Marilyn for print http://www.daz3d.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=Marilyn+monroe