If you manage to make your way to the rear of this year’s 3D Printshow in London, you’re in for a treat – and a shock. There, you will be face to face with not one, but several full-size 3D dinosaurs. They have many teeth. Big teeth.
They are so gigantic they could not possibly be 3D printed. Or could they?
In fact, they are: Crea’Zaurus 3D produces these astonishing 3D models with 3D printing technology. Their process begins with an artist consulting with actual paleontologists to develop a very accurate 3D model of the creature in question.
Then the model is segmented in 200-600 different 3D printable parts, which are produced on an Objet 3D printer. We’re not sure of the cost of these prints, but it is likely very high, as will be the time required to print them. The pieces are assembled into a complete model, which is then used as a master for casting copies.
Multiple dinosaurs are displayed at the 3D Printshow exhibit, the most notable being a Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops heads. But there are “smaller” dinos, such as this one, approximately the size of a dog. The detail is amazing, as you can see in this image and detail closeup.
We spoke with Crea’Zaurus 3D Directice Génerale Cyrielle Langiaux, who told us the initial model is very expensive to produce, but the casts can be had for as little as €8,000 (USD$10,700). Casts are also more appropriate for the usual outdoor installations of these creatures: Objet 3D print material is photo-curable, meaning if left out in the sun they could deteriorate. Not so with casts.
The attention to is ferocious. The Crea’Zaurus 3D team even 3D printed each of top feathers on this bizarre creature, attaching them individually.
The next time you need a 3 meter dinosaur for the backyard, there’s simply only one place to go.
Via Crea’Zaurus 3D
