Initial Details

NYCC runs from October 5th to the 8th at the Javits Center in the heart of New York City. When it comes to ensuring you’re going to have a good time, planning is the name of the game here. Finding a hotel right now will cost you up to $400 a night for even a basic motel room. Also, several of the more treasured keepsakes you can obtain from NYCC, like photo ops with your favorite actors of stage and screen, as well as autographs from over 200 different famous people and organizations — they all recommend you pay in advance and have specific time slots that can (and will) fill up. Don’t let the one thing holding you back from a photo op with all three of the voice actors from Animaniacs be your procrastination. Speaking of guests…

EVERYONE Is Going to Be There

We’re not kidding. From TV mainstays like Andrew Lincoln (Rick from The Walking Dead) to Jim Cummings (the current voice of Winnie the Pooh and Tigger), to master of kid-horror R.L. Stine, there is someone for everyone to fanboy/fangirl into a babbling mass of hero worship over. They’re sprinkled all over the convention like little Easter eggs. Catch them at panels, at signings, at photo ops, or maybe even around town between con events. You’re going to need to figure out when and where you can see them, which leads to our next point.

So, You’re Going to Need the App

NYCC is happening primarily at the Javits Center this year, but some panels and screenings are also being held at three other theaters around New York: the Hammerstein Ballroom at the Manhattan Center, the Theater at Madison Square Garden, and the Hudson Mercantile. To keep track of the time lines of these panels, as well as keeping a general tab on what’s going on, you need to get the official New York Comic Con app! It’s like this guide, but on your phone and interactive. Keep track of timelines, exhibitors on the show floor, and even autograph sessions. It’s all there, and it’s all instantaneous.

Activate Your Badge, Activate Perks

Along with the app, your badge (your ticket to accessing all of this geeky goodness), can also be activated to protect it in case it’s stolen. As long as it’s activated, you’ve got a way to get another badge made for you (at a small cost, of course). While that would be cool in the first place, activating your badge is also required to unlock NYCC’s extra experience known as NYCC XP. It allows you to access the NYCC app mentioned above, as well virtually scrapbooking your experience at the show, while entering you into contests to win cool swag and access to specialized photo kiosks all over the convention area. It also helps you monitor line lengths, which is always a good thing.

Did We Mention EVERYONE Is Going to Be There?

So, we mentioned in a very passing manner that there are dozens of incredibly famous people going to NYCC, but there are literally hundreds of other talented artists and creators that will be there on the exhibition floor and the Artist Alley. From comic books, to literature, to anime and manga, every single nerdy interest is being represented and thrust into the spotlight. You’re going to need every hour of those four days to try to see everything, but don’t worry if you don’t. There’s always next year!

And of Course, There’s An Afterparty…

And it has a name: NYCC Presents. They’re a fleet of 25 after-con-hours events happening across the city. If there isn’t a cover charge, your con badge gets you in for free. See amazing acts like YouTube sensations Epic Rap Battles of History do their things live, or just hang out real chill-like at events like An Evening with Mark Hamill.

If you’re lucky enough to nab a spot, don’t miss io9 and Kotaku’s Cosplay Ball, a Thursday night blow-out with free food and drinks, arcade games, and an opportunity to get a 3D selfie, courtesy Shapeways. We’ll be there, 3D scanning cosplayers throughout the night. Frankly, we can’t wait.

There’s something for everyone, just like the main event.

So, What Do I Need to Bring? 

Other than your smiling face, your badge, and your expertly-crafted cosplay? A few things. NYCC’s own page recommends a backpack, water bottle, first aid kit, cash (for quirky cash-only situations like signings, photo ops, and cash-only exhibitors), a camera, and portable batteries, among other things.

Visitors should also remember to bring their manners. Comic Con’s organizers have been kind enough to remind us all of the golden rule: “Cosplay is not consent.” It’s about respecting the bodies of cosplayers that are willing to put themselves and their meticulously crafted costumes out there, trusting that others will keep their hands to themselves and not, say, grab a sword, a mask, an armored breastplate… or anything else.

Shifting gears, the city of New York is also bringing their food trucks to bear on the hordes of hungry con-goers everywhere. From Korean BBQ to Cheesesteaks to Fried Chicken, there’s going to be something delicious for all palates to enjoy.

In Conclusion…

There you have it! There’s so much to do at this con, we’re only scratching the surface. There are literally thousands of things to see, and that’s just from the people explicitly selling things there. If you’re going this year, it will be amazing, and we at Shapeways wish you short waits and a lot of luck in seeing what you aim to see this time around.

Hopefully we’ll see you there!

All images via NYCC’s Facebook Page

The post The New York Comic Con Survival Guide, 2017 Edition appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

As the time until we walk through the doors of the Javits Center gets shorter and shorter, months of planning, modeling, printing, painting, and sewing turn into a fractured mound of last minute bits and pieces. “Fire up the desktop machine! Turns out I DO need that other part! This is not attaching to this other thing as I had hoped, and now it fell off and cracked! Where did all our 3000 bobby pins suddenly disappear to?! Wait, what shoes am I wearing for this?!”

The calm only comes after this storm, when we finally run out of time, put it all on, and face the public as someone else, weapons in hand. It is in those moments of conversing with other fans, posing for photographs, and drinking in the rush of the day that we can truly savor and appreciate our 3D printing journey, and look back on how far we’ve come from the very, very beginning.

Sarah (left) and Dhemerae (right) in our 3D printed costumes at NYCC 2015

We would have never made the work we do now, let alone cosplay, had we not had 3D printing. Living and working in the New York metropolitan area, fantasy spaces where you can get down and dirty as makers are few, far between, and expensive! 3D printing has allowed us to create larger-than life-work in the smallest of NYC spaces, and has given us access to a horde of new materials to work in, via companies like Shapeways. The process has allowed us to create work we would have never been able to make with the skill set we previously possessed. It also allows us to truly bring those fantasies alive as cosplayers, but more detailed and dramatic than we ever thought possible.    

Dhemerae (left) and Sarah (right) in our 3D printed costumes at NYCC 2016

And that element of surprise never goes away, even with experience. It comes in many forms, from the shock of success in making an amazing printed prop, to the realization, after many dollars and hours, that your idea failed miserably and it’s back to the drawing board.  

Nonetheless, in every case, the surprises turn out to be fantastic learning experiences. 3D modeling and printing have changed the way our brains work in regards to making. We have truly married both our artistic muscles and engineering skills into unique point of views that are continuously learning and growing. It’s exciting to make a piece, realize how many ways it could be better, and then tweak it and reimagine it. Daunting tasks like iteration are interesting and engaging again, for it is now an opportunity, and challenge, to surprise ourselves.  

All of this riding on the emotional roller coaster is worth it though, because it brings us to our final surprise: the “Christmas Moment” of seeing our finished printed parts, and holding them in our hands. Afterwards, we’re reinvigorated and ready for more.

Beyond the feelings of the process though, we have found more through 3D Printing, for it has given us an medium through which we can support and (we hope) inspire other women of all ages to pursue their ideas and develop their minds through technological explorations.

As women working in tech, and as adults who actively participate in play using it, this is what truly inspired us to start TheLaserGirlsStudio; Through doing what we love, and sharing our knowledge of 3D printing, we hope that we can provide a valuable resource to those looking to start a new journey. We feel inspired by the talented makers around us, and we try to do what we can to inspire others in the same way. This is something we hope to much more of in the coming year (so stay tuned!)  

So, while we slave away these last hours before game day, supergluing seams, trying to pin a braid to a wig, and printing some last-minute parts, we may not be at our best, but we anxiously await the rush of that first day on the Comic Con floor, another chapter of our 3D printing journey completed.

Check out the evolution of Sarah’s 3D printed Final Fantasy XV-inspired trident, below, and look for TheLaserGirls on the floor at New York Comic Con this Thursday and Friday. Can’t make it to the con? Follow Shapeways and TheLaserGirls on Instagram for live action from the floor.

The post The Drama and Beauty of Comic Con, Cosplay, and 3D Printing appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

“Back to the Future” RC fandom goes deeper than DeLoreans, however. Mike Lohmann, better known at TamiyaClub as Ihaveabruiser, made a model of Marty McFly’s Toyota SR5.

At the beginning of “Back to the Future,” the off-road-ready 4×4 was just a fantasy for Marty. As his adventures in the past end up affecting the present, however, he changes his family’s fortunes. Marty’s father becomes a famous author; Biff ends up working for the McFlys: and Marty’s dream truck is sitting in the garage, waiting for his “camping trip” with Jennifer.

Turns out that Mike has been collecting and making RC cars since he was 9. Over his 23-year “addiction,” as he calls it, he’s made great friends from around the globe.

Mike also worked as a Toyota technician for many years, so when it came to creating something from “Back to the Future,” he decided on the SR5:

They are great vehicles.The BTTF truck in my opinion is not only iconic for the movie but is iconic in world of Toyota enthusiasts.

Mike posted the SR5 to TamiyaClub on July 4, a day after the anniversary of the premiere of the first “Back to the Future.”

His SR5 would not exist without Shapeways. He used pieces from BowHouse RC, purveyors of all kinds of cool RC car parts. They provided the battery case and chassis-mounted steering system, and RC Nerds made the door panels, windshield wipers, taillight assemblies, and the ridiculously detailed dashboard.

“I’ve had nothing but great results with Shapeways,” he says. “The printing quality is very very good and the print and shipping time is great as well. I will actually be doing another order shortly, as James from Knight Customs just released the interior parts that work with his engine bay on the BTTF truck.”

I’m usually talking about board games in Shapeways Magazine, but the Toyota SR5, accurate down to even the KC lights on the front grille and the cab, was too good not to share.

via TamiyaClub

RC cars and modifications are a huge part of the Shapeways community, and people like Mike, a guy who calls normal-size cars “1:1 vehicles,” are what keeps it vital and relevant. This truck is a great example of just what we can do, not only as a 3D printing community, but as creative people and passionate fans trying to make the world a little cooler.

Emphasis on little… in a big way.

The post Take a Ride in Marty McFly’s Toyota SR5, RC Car Edition appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

The year is 2017, the same year Blade Runner is set in, and here we are tossing dice and cards like it’s 1982. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Surprisingly, the tabletop renaissance is in full bloom, all thanks to the internet. Instead of rogue androids, we’ve got Kickstarter and print-on-demand fueling ambitious new tabletop games, and you can catch the best of them at Gen Con. Hard to believe it’s just two days away!

There’s nothing quite like Gen Con. While there’s an incredible wealth of great gaming conventions in the US these days, Gen Con feels like the most wholeheartedly focused on getting new and veteran gamers around a table to experience the best in tabletop. Walking the Vendor Hall, you’ll be overloaded by the sheer number of gaming possibilities.

You’ll find plenty of friendly faces on the floor ready to introduce to you to everything from the freshest take on Werewolf to the kind of strategy games that take all day! Outside of simply demoing every game that catches your eye, here are some of my favorite picks for Gen Con 2017.

Homebrews in the Gaming Hall

Did you ever wonder what kind historical miniatures games a historian might create? Look no further than the Gaming Hall at Gen Con. You can find all sorts of incredible games here, from giant-sized Catan matches to MTG tournaments all day, but the hot ticket here is the homebrew games. Walking the hall, you can check out some custom made castles and armies, strike up a conversation, and before you know it you’re playing a game like no other. And often these kind of games are free because you’re helping to playtest!

Battletech Beta and Pods

Full disclosure, I first attended Gen Con in 2014 with Harebrained Schemes and had an absolute blast sharing their games and making new friends. The Battletech Beta is here and you’ll have a chance to test it out before launch. Video games at Gen Con? Yep, that’s right. Time to break the rules and recommend one game that’s taken all the strategic fun of one of the most intense tabletop games and transported it to the digital realm.

Outside of HBS, there are also Battletech Pods in the gaming hall where you can hop in and get in on a first person ‘Mech destruction! Not to be missed. It’s like hopping into a time machine that takes you to the past and the future all at once. I keep returning to these pods each year because there’s nothing quite like them. They’re filled with knobs, levers, and pedals that actually function and need to be mastered if you want to stand a chance in the free-for-all. This is as close as you’ll ever come to actually piloting a ‘Mech!

The GM Improv Showdown

The number one event I’m looking forward to this year is the GM Showdown hosted by Open Legend, featuring Matt Mercer (Critical Role), Satine Phoenix (GM Tips, Maze Arcana), Shanna Germain (Monte Cook Games), Andrew Armstrong (DawnforgedCast), Brian Feister (Open Legend), and myself (Open Legend)! What can I say, I’m a little biased, but getting these many amazing storytellers and performers in one room and challenging them to run an adventure blind, with no preparation, is a one-of-a-kind experience.

Anything could happen! Expect the unexpected as each GM takes a round trying to control the chaos made by other players. Who will win it all in the first ever GM Showdown? Even if you can’t be there in person, we’ll be streaming the entire event for the gamers at home! Check it out here on August 17th from 3 – 4 PM EDT. And be sure to check out the Shapeways minis we get to use for all our events during the best four days in gaming!

True Dungeon

Every single year I’ve been to Gen Con, my biggest regret has been missing True Dungeon. I plan to fix that this year. There are few other events that are so completely unique to Gen Con. You embark on a live action RPG adventure with friends and strangers alike. I’ve heard it’s best if you can bring your own group, but it’s still worth checking out solo because of the sheer scale and madness of this dungeon delve.

You have to pick actual locked boxes, complete puzzles as a team, and memorize the planes themselves to succeed. There’s nothing this immersive anywhere else in the world. If you’ve ever wondered, how you, not your character sheet, would handle the perils of a fantasy adventure. With accolades from Patrick Rothfuss, Wil Wheaton, and Gary Gygax himself, this is a must-play experience.

Caffeine, Brews, and Bites

Last, but certainly not least, if you can, avoid the food inside the convention center. Head outside to Georgia Street and grab great bites and brews from local food trucks. And stay caffeinated with Bee Coffee Roasters. They’ve got fun themed drinks, awesome costumed staff, and the most solid good ol’ fashioned coffee near the convention. I could never handle all the hours of gaming without them!

And if you’re feeling real adventurous and looking for some late night activities, bring your friends out to the Cadillac Ranch to ride the mechanical bull and witness (or join in on) the line dancing!

There are near infinite games to discover at Gen Con and I wish I could include them all here, but be sure to wander the floor and share your findings. What are you looking forward to most? Let us know in the comments.

If you’re going to Gen Con 50, be sure to stop and say hi if you see me! I’m a master of taking blurry selfies. Here’s to 50 more years of gaming!

Shapeways will be in the Miniature Hobby Events section on Sagamore Concourse, giving away free miniatures for the Paint & Take and holding daily contests. See you in Indy!

See you at the Shapeways booth!

The post Gen Con Insider’s Guide: 50 Years of Gaming, and Growing Stronger appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Our crew!

Left to right, me, Dhemerae and Sarah of TheLaserGirls (decked out in 3D printed cosplay), and Ian of Nvenom8 Designs.

The vender area of the con — so much cool merch and swag!

Our panel discussion on 3D printing was on the Main Events Stage, so exciting!

Sarah tells the audience why she likes ZBrush during our panel on 3D printing:

Over the weekend, TheLaserGirls also took over the Shapeways Instagram account and took  #Genericon by storm:

Admins by day, superheroes by night@shapeways #3dprinting #cosplay #genericon #golaser

A post shared by Sarah C Awad and Dhemerae Ford (@thelasergirls) on Mar 4, 2017 at 1:19pm PST

Taking a break to do some old-school roleplaying with Pathfinders. Here, our party is about to get ambushed by a Giant Scorpion.

We had a great time playing games, checking out the cosplay, and talking about 3D printing!

The post Shapeways Takes Genericon 30 by Storm appeared first on Shapeways Blog.