The film prop of a British TV icon "Starbug"comes from the industrial 3D printer
Red Dwarf is a British comedy franchise which spans over 11 series of a television science fiction sitcom since 1988. The series still holds the record for being BBC Two’s longest-running, highest-rated sitcom and currently holds the top spot as UKTV’s highest rated show to date.
The series has won numerous awards including the Royal Television Society Award for special effects, the British Science Fiction award for Best Dramatic Presentation, as well as an International Emmy Award for series VI episode “Gunmen of the Apocalypse”. The show had also been nominated for the International Emmy Award 3 times. Series VI won a British Comedy Award for ‘Best BBC Comedy Series’ and the video sales have won eight Gold Awards from the British Video Association.
Primarily, Red Dwarf is a character driven comedy with science fiction elements used as complementary plot devices. It has a great reputation for its use in scale models over digital special effects and not much has changed over the years. One of the main space crafts used in the series is the JMC transport vehicle Starbug which has appeared in most of the episodes and has been known to crash land on a number of occasions.
Webinar: Prop making
In this webinar we will walk you through advantages, workflows, materials and plenty of applications & examples of 3D printing-supported prop making.
Hero Starbug was used for all the main model shots and the 3D printed Starbug was used for crash landings and impact shots. While 3D printed Starbug sustained some damage during the shoot, the crew were able to fix it between shots. In the event of unrepairable damage, a new part could have been 3D printed and on set again the next day.
3D printed parts from voxeljet
3D printed, painted individual parts from voxeljet
Further Case Studies
Bronze-cast sculptures produced with 3D printing
In the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park, there are three bronze sculptures by artist Shaleigha D'Clark, created using 3D printing
3D-printed sculptures at 2500 metres
At 2,500 metres in the Tyrolean Alps, these 3D-printed sculptures enjoy a special view. They are the fulfilment of a long-held dream of Tyrolean artist Magnus Pöhacker.
3D printing patterns for large-scale sculpting
The Embrace is a public artwork in Boston to honor and remember the life of Martin Luther King and his wife Coretta Scott King. The sculpture was created with 3D PMMA printing and investment casting
58 sculptures cast in bronze visualize the Way of the Cross of Jesus in Nebraska, USA. The unique works of art were created by famous artists using a combination of 3D printing, investment casting and bronze casting.
Functional Architecture with 3D Printing
The Mersitem Wall is a best practice example of how functional and sustainable architecture can be created with 3D printing.
3D printing for sustainable architecture
Singapore's AIRLAB uses these table legs to show how architecture can be made more sustainable and functional at the same time.
3D printing the future of prop manufacturing
Using 3D printing to create cost-effective, realistic movie props.
3D Printing Solutions
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