Secrets Revealed: Stunning Necron Miniatures Created by 3D Printing
The Necron, ancient skeletal warriors who sleep in the tomb world, are one of the most visually stunning factions in Warhammer 40,000. For enthusiasts, capturing its intricate mechanical design and disturbing elegance can often be daunting. Introducing 3D printing: a revolutionary technology that democratizes miniature creations. This guide helps you harness that power and transform your digital blueprints into desktop-ready metal lords. We’ll guide you through file selection, printing techniques, critical post-processing, and explore how professional services can improve results, especially for demanding metal parts.
Why print Necron? Beyond the Tomb World
Necron models are defined by angular shapes, delicate glyphs, ribbed routing and complex components – difficult to translate into injection molds. 3D printing circumvents these limitations. fan:
- Unleash unprecedented details: Resin printers capture the finest glyphs, scarab swarms and Gaussian peeling barrels with the difficulty of injection molding.
- Cost effectiveness: Individual character models or entire units are becoming cheaper, especially for niche or discontinued minis.
- True customization: Modify poses, weapons, or create completely unique crypt tech and lords outside of the official kit. Rescale entire armies for epic projects.
- Auxiliary functions: Gain access to rare agents or fan-designed concepts not available through traditional retail.
However, achieving a museum-quality Necron requires careful planning and execution.
Mastering Technology: Resin Dominates
Choosing the right printer is crucial:
- Resin (SLA/DLP/MSLA): The undisputed king of miniatures.
- advantage: Micron-level precision preserves the surface texture, sharp edges and intricate hollows that are integral to Necron’s design. The smooth surface is beautifully painted.
- shortcoming: Strict safety protocols (ventilation, gloves), post-processing (cleaning/curing) are required, and the resin can be brittle.
- FDM (filament): Typically does not fit standard 28-32mm Necron.
- Limited application: FDM is only suitable for significantly enlarged terrain blocks, boulders, or tomb complex components where layering is less obvious. Fine details and smooth curves are gone.
For Metal Masterpieces: Professional SLM Join the Competition
Looking for real cold-forged metal Necron? Selective laser melting (SLM) metal 3D printing is beyond the capabilities of amateurs. This industrial process:
- Create a solid metal part: Fine metal powders (e.g. stainless steel, titanium, aluminum) are sintered layer by layer directly using high-power lasers.
- Offers unparalleled strength and finish: Achieving incredible structural integrity and a dense metallic feel. Allowing for complex lattice structures that mimic Necron physiology.
- Expertise required: Requires specialized, high-cost equipment and is limited to experienced professional laboratories in strictly controlled environments. Post-processing (support removal, heat treatment, polishing) is complex.
Exploring the Digital Tomb: Documentation and Preparation
- Source real STL:
- Authorized creator: Patreon creators like RedMaker, Technovore Miniatures, and more offer amazing official Necron alternatives with the appropriate licenses.
- Reputable repositories: Sites like Cults3D or MyMiniFactory have skilled designers (search "Necron"review rating/license).
- Moral reminder: Avoid using unlicensed copies of Games Workshop IP. support artists
