3D printing has opened up new possibilities for designers and hobbyists to create highly detailed and customizable figurines and models. From tabletop gaming miniatures to collectible statues from popular franchises, 3D printed figures have become extremely popular.
In this article, we look at the 10 most popular figure models that 3D printing enthusiasts love to create.
Superhero Figures Comic book superheroes remain one of the most popular themes for 3D printed figures. Iconic characters like Batman, Spiderman and Iron Man are favorite subjects due to their distinguishing costumes and overall public appeal. Their unique weapons and props also make for interesting 3D modeling challenges.
Warhammer Miniatures
The popular tabletop strategy game Warhammer has a devoted fan following, many of whom use 3D printing to build custom miniatures for gaming. Intricate sci-fi and fantasy models with tiny details are highly sought after in Warhammer gaming figure circles.Video Game Characters Legendary characters from popular gaming franchises like Super Mario Bros, Pokemon and The Legend of Zelda are favorite targets for 3D printed recreations. Their cartoonish or stylised shapes appeal especially to gamers and hobbyists.
Anime Characters Japanese anime has fanatical followers worldwide, making anime figurines extremely desirable collectibles. Printable 3D models of leading anime characters see strong demand, with their unique hairstyles, costumes and weapons pushing creative boundaries.
Mythical Creatures Dragons, griffins, ogres and more fantastical beasts are exciting subjects for 3D sculpting. Enthusiasts enjoy bringing elaborate creature designs to life with intricate textures and poses. Mythical models make striking display pieces.
Historic Figures Famous personages like ancient warriors, soldiers, knights and Vikings provide loads of details even in miniature sculpts. 3D printed historic mini-figures find use in dioramas and model battle scenes thanks to their realistic armour and equipment detailing.
Movie Monsters From creepy aliens to blobs, mutants and gigantic dinosaurs, printable monster models never go out of style. Pop culture creatures like Godzilla, Predator and Xenomorphs make cool 3D figure sets thanks to their terrifying and distinctive looks.
Posable Figurines Articulated figures with poseable limbs and joints allow for dynamic stances and lifelike movement. Designs mimicking action heroes, warriors, sportspersons and dancers are popular posable designs for maximum flexibility.
Chibi Characters In gaming and anime, chibi refers to cute, childlike versions of characters with exaggerated, compact features. Their adorable big heads and eyes translate charmingly into 3D prints. Chibi collectibles are much sought after to showcase personalities.
Miniature Busts Hyper-detailed 3D printed miniature busts bring realistic precision to famous personalities from Elvis to Einstein. They allow capturing even facial details in a scaled sculpture format. Busts make great collectibles for hobbyists, fans and history buffs alike.
So whether you love superheroes or video game characters, mythical beasts or movie icons, 3D printing offers no limit on producing unique figure sets. As the technology progresses, figure printing will become even more accessible and push creative boundaries further.
