What is the difference between true garage kits and 3d resin printed kits?

1. Production Method:

  • Resin Cast Garage Kits: These are typically made through traditional molding and casting techniques. A sculptor creates the original model (often by hand or using digital sculpting), and then a mold is made from that original piece. Liquid resin is poured into the mold to create the figures, and the cast parts are then cleaned up, assembled, and sometimes painted.

  • 3D Resin Printed Figures: These are made using 3D printing technology. A model is designed in 3D software (like Blender or ZBrush), and then the design is sent to a 3D printer. The printer uses resin that’s cured layer by layer using UV light. The result is a highly detailed figure with relatively minimal manual effort in terms of the actual printing process.

2. Detail and Precision:

  • Resin Cast Garage Kits: These kits can have amazing detail, especially in the hands of skilled artists. However, the mold-making process can sometimes result in small imperfections or slight variations between copies, especially when molds wear out after multiple uses. That being said, these kits often have fantastic craftsmanship and can be incredibly intricate.

  • 3D Resin Printed Figures: 3D printed figures can have incredibly sharp, precise details, and some printers offer even finer resolutions than what you can get with traditional casting methods. However, prints can sometimes have visible layer lines (though these can often be sanded down). The level of detail can be very high depending on the printer and settings used.

3. Customization:

  • Resin Cast Garage Kits: Customization in terms of modifications after the kit is cast can be somewhat limited. To make any major changes, you would need to resculpt or alter the original mold, which is labor-intensive.

  • 3D Resin Printed Figures: Customization is much easier with 3D printing. The digital file can be edited and altered relatively quickly to create unique or personalized designs, whether you’re modifying the pose, adding new elements, or altering proportions.

4. Durability:

  • Resin Cast Garage Kits: These kits are usually made of a denser, harder resin and tend to be quite durable. The downside is they can be heavier, and you might need to be careful about dropping them, as some resin types can be brittle.

  • 3D Resin Printed Figures: 3D printed figures are often made from slightly more fragile resin, though there are tougher resins available. They can sometimes be more prone to cracking or chipping compared to cast resin, depending on the type of resin used. But newer printing resins are increasingly durable.

5. Cost and Accessibility:

  • Resin Cast Garage Kits: These tend to be more labor-intensive to produce, and the costs can be higher due to the mold-making process and craftsmanship involved. You might also see higher prices due to limited runs or the exclusivity of certain kits.

  • 3D Resin Printed Figures: 3D printed figures can often be cheaper, especially if they’re mass-produced using digital designs. The costs are driven more by the time to print, the quality of the resin, and the complexity of the print rather than the traditional mold/casting process.

6. Availability and Production Scale:

  • Resin Cast Garage Kits: These are often produced in smaller quantities (sometimes as limited editions or one-off pieces). As such, they can sometimes be harder to find, and when they are available, they may come at a premium price.

  • 3D Resin Printed Figures: 3D printing allows for easier mass production and easier distribution. Depending on the creator, you can see figures made available on various platforms or even custom prints made to order.

Summary:

  • Resin Cast Garage Kits are more traditional, often handmade, and can have fantastic detailing with a focus on craftsmanship. They’re often produced in smaller runs and may require more physical effort for customization.
  • 3D Resin Printed Figures benefit from modern printing technology, allowing for ultra-detailed, customizable, and sometimes faster production. They may be more affordable and easier to find in mass quantities but could be a bit more fragile depending on the resin used.