![DESIGN CUSTOM TOYS FOR 3D PRINTING](https://cdn.magzter.com/1387538215/1667294272/articles/o-tpDIMu61667976504587/DESIGN-CUSTOM-TOYS-FOR-3D-PRINTING.jpg)
Back in the 90s, the only thing I knew about toys was buying and using them. As time passed the toy industry began to change, and models were created in many different ways: some by kit bashing pieces from existing toys, others were carved in wood to make a 'prototype' before a long, time-consuming wait for the model to be approved and sent to the factories for mass production.
One of the main game-changers in the toy creation industry has been the introduction of 3D printers, providing us with a brilliant tool that enables the printing of our own custom models at home. They were expensive at first, but in recent years 3D printer prices have been lowering, making them affordable and providing the perfect machine for a range of budgets.
Suddenly we had all the tools required to create our own miniatures and toys. In this step-by-step, I will show you my process for creating an art toy, from developing an idea to sketching, modelling, and getting it ready for 3D printing.
01 DEVELOP YOUR IDEA
Let's start by developing and polishing a concept until we have an initial idea we are happy to work with. I start by just sketching with shapes, and it doesn't matter if it's very basic at this stage - after all, our ideas will often change when we get to the 3D phase and thinking that it's necessary to have the whole idea solved in the sketch might lead to a creative block.
02 MODEL IN ZBRUSH
With the sketches done it's now time to start our modelling stage; in this case, I chose to use ZBrush. We will create a model, scale it to the right size, slice it and export it for 3D printing. In other cases we could also do a paint job of the piece or set it up for rendering - it all depends on the user's needs.
03 CREATE THE HEAD
This story is from the Christmas 2022 edition of 3D World UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Christmas 2022 edition of 3D World UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![RenderMan 26](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5274/1736097/8LoqOpCjl1720097237563/RENDERMAN-26.jpg)
RenderMan 26
Knowing that the journey for Pixar’s RenderMan software began 37 years ago feels mind-boggling – but it’s still at the top of its game.
![Visualising Einstein's past for Netflix](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5274/1736097/L-iBmgLTS1720096877039/VISUALISING-EINSTEINS-PAST-FOR-NETFLIX.jpg)
Visualising Einstein's past for Netflix
Lux Aeterna honed its expertise in CG to bring the famous physicist's memories back to life for Einstein and the Bomb
![BRANCHING OUT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5274/1736097/KB5fDmJFj1720096273247/BRANCHING-OUT.jpg)
BRANCHING OUT
Whiskytree founder and CEO Jonathan Harb lifts the lid on the studio's story and its phenomenal success in turbulent times
![CAN I CREATE SMOKE OR FOG EFFECTS ON A MOBILE DEVICE?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5274/1736097/kS3Smfu9V1720095890867/CAN-I-CREATE-SMOKE-OR-FOG-EFFECTS-ON-A-MOBILE-DEVICE.jpg)
CAN I CREATE SMOKE OR FOG EFFECTS ON A MOBILE DEVICE?
Liquids, fur, hair, steam, smoke, fog, fire, magical effects and so much more are all daily requirements in most 3D packages, but are almost always created with a particle system of some type.
![Fusion Studio 19](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5274/1736097/41HbVZhU91720095432993/FUSION-STUDIO-19.jpg)
Fusion Studio 19
Now in its 10th year under the wings of Blackmagic Design, Fusion Studio is stronger than ever.
![DaVinci Resolve 19](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5274/1736097/opZA0I4Vg1720095245939/DAVINCI-RESOLVE-19.jpg)
DaVinci Resolve 19
There are more choices on the market than ever when it comes to picking your favourite video editing software.
![Tribute to a sensei](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5274/1736097/jkMf0OoOB1720094752969/TRIBUTE-TO-A-SENSEI.jpg)
Tribute to a sensei
The team at French visual development and game studio Umeshu Lovers walk us through creating their Akira Toriyama-inspired April Fools' demo
![DEVELOP ELECTRIC ATMOSPHERE WITH LIGHTNING EFFECTS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5274/1736097/KW7z42O651720094126560/DEVELOP-ELECTRIC-ATMOSPHERE-WITH-LIGHTNING-EFFECTS.jpg)
DEVELOP ELECTRIC ATMOSPHERE WITH LIGHTNING EFFECTS
Rob Redman delivers a bolt of brilliance with a quick guide to giving your scenes a high-voltage feeling
![BUILD A SELL-OUT STADIUM CROWD](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5274/1736097/SWdS5zfdd1720093455624/BUILD-A-SELLOUT-STADIUM-CROWD.jpg)
BUILD A SELL-OUT STADIUM CROWD
Mario Leone takes to the stage with a step-by-step guide to creating an arena full of cheering people in Houdini
![DESIGN AND RENDER A SPELLBINDING CHARACTER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5274/1736097/SEandkhVQ1720092944247/DESIGN-AND-RENDER-A-SPELLBINDING-CHARACTER.jpg)
DESIGN AND RENDER A SPELLBINDING CHARACTER
Ivan Mironenko shares his process for creating a captivating figure in a bewitching scene