Luke's Garage & Gas Station

[Hauk]

It comes as no surprise that it is on this forum you find some of the most creative and constructive approaches to utilizing AI tools.

I'm looking forward to see the figures printed and painted!

[Stuart]

Frithjof, this is utterly fantastic and wholly unexpected.  Thank you for your time and effort to prepare a printable file of my Luke figure.  I will email the additional information.

Stuart

[fspg2]

Hi Stuart,

Thank you very much for your email specifying the height of the curb, taking into account the future paving material, at 17 mm.

This clearly defines the dimensions:
Total height of the figure: 146.0 mm
Bottom of the left foot: Z = 0.0 mm
Support surface under the right boot: Z = 17.0 mm
Right leg bent; left leg serves as the sole support
The curb edge is not part of the figure
At a 1:12 scale, the 146 mm corresponds to a prototype height of 175.2 cm. The curb height corresponds to approximately 20.4 cm on the prototype and thus plausibly matches the source photo.

The previously calculated value ( from ChatGPT) of approximately 16.9 mm was therefore practically spot on. For the final 3D mesh, however, the official target dimension of 17.0 mm should be used—measured from the bottom of the left boot to the contact surface of the right boot sole. Additional height compensation for the ground covering is no longer necessary.

I'm happy to do a small part to help populate your awesome gas station.
I'll send them to you via WeTransfer!

The starting image:
Gas_Station_Attendant_V21 (fspg2)


Tripo3D has created four versions of the figure. The pockets on the back of the figure were best rendered in Version b.

Here are a few screenshots of the STL file created by Tripo3D:


Gas_Station_Attendant_V2_b_01 (fspg2)


Gas_Station_Attendant_V2_b_02 (fspg2)


Gas_Station_Attendant_V2_b_03 (fspg2)


Gas_Station_Attendant_V2_b_04 (fspg2)


Gas_Station_Attendant_V2_b_05 (fspg2)


Gas_Station_Attendant_V2_b_06 (fspg2)


Gas_Station_Attendant_V2_b_07 (fspg2)


Frithjof

[finescalerr]

The renderings are remarkable. I've never seen figures as lifelike. AI certainly has value so let's hope the world doesn't abuse or corrupt it. -- Russ

[Bernhard]

The result is truly impressive. I'm not usually a fan of figures on a model, as they're usually just some sort of compromise. However, bespoke figures with such fine detail can certainly enhance a model.

Bernhard

[Lawrence@NZFinescale]

Figure-wise, what's achievable in terms of rendering and production at home (or at least within a modelling circle) has advanced amazingly in the last 6 months or so. And these figures are great.

Of course, the current challenge is to paint them to a similar standard. With the arrival of colour printing even that may not be an issue for long.

But as AI advances and 3D printers turn out ready to use models, you have to wonder how that changes the hobby.  Many tasks that I used to do are no longer required. In some cases I'm greatly relieved, but in others those tasks were what I enjoyed. It's an old story.  Few can be bothered to scratchbuild something once a kit is produced.  The kit in turn may lose appeal when the R-T-R item is released.

Much of the modelling here is far better than kit or RTR standard so it may not impact us so much, but it will have (and has had) far more impact on wider modelling. Some of this change is great, some not. I suspect we'd all disagree on which is which depending on our individual skill sets.

Broadly I think it's mostly helpful. Nobody else is going to turn out parts for Rewanui, so I can do production runs for common parts and spend most of my energy on the unique bits.  That allows quicker progress and there are fewer insurmountable obstacles. Momentum is easier to maintain.

[1-32]

Great result; I have no clue about AI, but it seems to be a very useful tool,
Cheers

[Stuart]

So, here he is in the flesh, so-to-speak, thanks to Frithjof...



...and the original rendering from Chatgpt.



Here he is stationed proudly next his gasoline dispensing apparatus.  Looks pretty good, if I say so myself.



The only thing that remains is to paint the fellow, but, as Lawrence points out, that can be a challenge all unto itself.  Rendering a faithful and realistic human likeness requires the touch of a fine artist with at least some understanding of portraiture, fabric drapery and fabric effects.  We'll see how that goes!

Stuart

[finescalerr]

Absolutely remarkable. -- Russ

[fspg2]

Stuart,

The result is really impressive—the figure actually looks even better in print than it does in the orange Tripo renderings.
What 3D printer do you use?
How about a second figure?

Frithjof

[Bill Gill]

Really terrific!
Given his downhome 'country' appearance and demeanor, would scuffing up the toes on his shoes a bit be a noticeable detail to add to his character?