pascalemod wrote:
What I as a consumer of higher end models and who can afford to spend 100+ USD per model would prefer though for that money, is a super accurate 3D printed in resign full hull ship, that has the fine parts like masts, radars, and barrels in brass; And with decks modified to take generic railings that would slot right into the decks with attachment points pre fabricated. I am sure this will come.
Such kits are available, e.g. the Taiwanese destroyer
De Yang by Orange Hobby, the River class frigate HMS
Lagan by Starling Models, the Greek submarine
Okeanos and Type 214 by Hellenic Ship Model, or the cruiser submarines USS
Narwhale, USS
Nautilus, and USS
Argonaut by Tom's Model Works. In all of these kits, there are no cast resin parts, but 3D printed resin parts.
I assume that there will be several kind of 3D models for some time:
a) designers, who offers either only the files or their designs to be printed on Shapeways or similar services: no complete kits; can be either only one part or a few parts (e.g. SNAFU or Masters of Military). Here, additional PE, brass parts, decals etc. are necessary, there are no instructions
b) kits containing only 3D printed parts, sometimes instructions - similar to some older resin producers, but only shifted to printing instead of casting the parts
c) high-end kits containing 3D printed parts, PE, brass gun barrels, decals (as the mentioned kits by Orange Hobby, Starling Models, Hellenic Ship Model and Tom's Modelworks - and soon probably L'Arsenal)
As modeler, there is as usual the question, if one is interested in a specific ship (then also a) and b) is fine) or in building certain type of kits (then only c) could be interesting).