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Michael.Mkii
@mkii.designs
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Bio
Making free 3d models while I learn new software. D&D terrain, Minis, Random stuff also robots (soon) Looking to network with other Makers so if you follow me I will follow you and would love to collab! Also if you need help with any of my models, I respond to DMs regularly and can assist Since exclusive models are under the standard digital license, it makes the commercial rights unavailable. I want to make it clear that it is okay by me to sell any of my models as prints, first just DM me.
Achievements
MakerWorld Guardian
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Recent Article
From Zero to a Free Printer in Six Months
From Zero to a Free Printer in Six MonthsIn just six months, I went from having no uploads on MakerWorld to earning enough Bambu Lab credits for free filament and even a new printer. This article shares how mindset shifts, community engagement, and embracing both AI tools and simplicity transformed my 3D printing journey—from hobbyist to creator.Getting StartedI began 3D printing in 2020 with a Creality CR-10S. I had always been passionate about design, but though I had a Thingiverse account, I wasn’t posting much. When my wife gifted me a Bambu Lab A1 Mini in 2023, I created a MakerWorld account to use Bambu Studio—but only posted one design. I didn’t understand the platform’s potential until Easter 2025, when I decided to fully switch from Thingiverse to MakerWorld.At first, I manually ported over my old Thingiverse projects. The biggest barrier wasn’t modeling—it was writing descriptions. Like many engineers, documentation wasn’t my strong suit. I finally allowed myself to use AI to help write my post descriptions and these articles, and that single change made all the difference. Suddenly, I could focus on creativity instead of wordsmithing.Keeping It Free and FunAnother shift was deciding that all my models would remain free. As a self-critical beginner, removing the pressure of monetization let me focus on learning. Charging only friends for material costs and print time helped me enjoy the process without worrying about perfection.Those mindset changes—embracing AI for documentation and focusing on free, creative play—allowed me to experiment fearlessly. I explored various modeling styles, made plenty of mistakes, and discovered that simple designs often performed best. My models like the barrels and pirate ship, which I once thought were too basic, became some of my most popular uploads.D&D: The Heart of My CreativityMy love for Dungeons & Dragons has always fueled my 3D printing. As a DM of 14 years, I mostly used wet-erase maps and unpainted minis for in-person games. MakerWorld became my outlet to design terrain that would bring those sessions to life.Small, quick-to-print designs turned out to be the sweet spot—not just for me, but for the MakerWorld community. Compact models work well on smaller printers like the A1 Mini, and people love fast, easy prints.Community and CollaborationI believe that rising tides lift all ships. I make a point to support other creators—commenting, liking, boosting models I love, and creating print profiles for their designs. I also reach out to exchange ideas and collaborate on new concepts.For anyone looking to grow their MakerWorld presence, engaging with others isn’t optional—it’s essential. Collaboration builds relationships, inspires new projects, and keeps the creative ecosystem thriving.Results After Six MonthsAfter fully diving in around April 2025, it took about three months before I was creating exclusive models and earning MakerWorld rewards. By late summer, I had accumulated around $450 in Bambu Lab credits, which covered plenty of filament and even a new A1 printer.Of course, everyone’s experience will differ, and MakerWorld’s incentive programs may change—but for me, it was proof that genuine engagement and consistent creativity can open real opportunities.The AI ExperimentWhen I first started creating, I wasn’t confident in character modeling and stuck to SolidWorks terrain. But I noticed other designers including miniatures in their photos—it really enhanced the presentation. Not wanting to use someone else’s minis, I decided to generate my own D&D monsters using AI, posting them for free as an ethical example of AI use on MakerWorld.These AI minis weren’t about replacing artists—they were an experiment in responsible attribution and testing AI’s readiness for FDM printing. They also revealed what players wanted most: goblins, gelatinous cubes, red dragons, beholders, and owlbears topped the charts.That feedback inspired me to learn Nomad Sculpt and begin modeling my own versions of the most popular creatures. I’ve since created handmade versions of my gelatinous cube and mimic, and plan to remake all the AI minis over time. I’ve also continued generating AI dragons to study how well AI interprets D&D lore—strictly for research and inspiration, never for contests. (And yes, using AI in competitions defeats the purpose—don’t do it!) My ai experiment is comprised of about 20 out of the 105 models I have posted and can be found in an unpinned collection on my pageClosing ThoughtsIn half a year, I transformed from a hesitant hobbyist into an active contributor with a growing audience, a new printer, and a deeper love for the craft. MakerWorld’s community and incentives helped, but the real secret was shifting my mindset: using AI as a tool, embracing simplicity, supporting others, and giving myself permission to learn publicly.Whether you’re new to 3D printing or looking to grow as a designer, start sharing, stay ethical, and keep experimenting. You never know—your next upload might be the one that changes everything.
AI models and Why you should still learn to model
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AI models and Why you should still learn to modelAI-generated 3D models are advancing rapidly, and for tabletop gaming enthusiasts, particularly those creating Dungeons & Dragons miniatures, the changes are striking. I’ve been tracking AI 3D model development as part of a project to explore how these tools can assist in FDM printing and to demonstrate proper AI attribution when sharing models.AI 3D Models Are Getting SharperRecent outputs from MeshyAI show how much AI has improved. For example, when generating dragon miniatures from a photo prompt, the latest models exhibit better coherence with the original image and significantly sharper details. Previously, AI-generated models often revealed themselves through inconsistencies like extra or missing limbs—but that may soon no longer be obvious if outputs are carefully curated.If you’re trying to avoid AI-generated content, this is a good heads-up: discerning AI models are becoming harder to spot. Meshy 4 vs Meshy 5 vs Meshy 6Why Learning 3D Modeling Still MattersEven as AI tools improve, now is an excellent time to develop hands-on 3D modeling skills. Programs like Nomad Sculpt, Blender, SolidWorks, and Fusion 360 give you capabilities that AI alone cannot match:Create high-quality OBJ files with individually selectable parts for multicolor printing.Fully customize models or enhance AI-generated assets.Explore advanced print techniques beyond what AI outputs are suitable forCreate mechanically precise parts for assemblies or mechanisms  Mastering these programs ensures that, regardless of AI’s progress, you retain creative control and access to advanced printing options. Learning to 3d print along side these modeling softwares can also help teach you design principals to create supportless or more complex models with different properties.AI in CompetitionsWhile AI can be a helpful tool, using it in competitions defeats the purpose of the contest. Competitions are meant to showcase human creativity, problem-solving, and skill. Relying on AI undermines the spirit of fair play and diminishes the value of genuinely handcrafted work.A Note on AI Use and AttributionI regularly use AI to edit and rewrite text, and I don’t oppose AI in creative work. My main concern is transparency: AI should be properly attributed when it contributes significantly to a model. Using AI without disclosure diminishes the recognition of human effort behind a project. Personally, I balance AI assistance with hands-on creation to focus on my passions while acknowledging the trade-offs.The evolution of AI in 3D modeling is exciting, but human creativity and skill remain essential. Whether you’re designing your own D&D miniatures or enhancing AI-generated models, learning 3D modeling today will keep your projects versatile, high-quality, and uniquely yours. Edit: This article was mainly looking at Meshy. For those interested, MakerLab has a similar Image to 3d AI available that is on par with Meshy 5 or 6 generations as shown using the credits from the Points system. Would recommend
Optimizing Terrain Assemblies in Bambu Studio
Optimizing Terrain Assemblies in Bambu StudioBambu Studio’s slicer software is packed with advanced features that simplify the creation of modular terrain models. From print-in-place components to native .STEP file support, the software makes it easy to adjust layouts and orientation within the slicer. Here are some tips for efficiently working with terrain assemblies.1. Precise Positioning and RotationUse the Move and Rotate tools for accurate placement of terrain pieces. For D&D terrain, I typically move components in 23-25mm increments (Based on Wall thickness and desired result) and rotate parts by 45 or 90 degrees for corners. This ensures proper alignment and a clean layout. You can also use the Replace with STL file to swap wall types if you save each one as a separate STL first and they are the same dimensions. This can also maintain scaling or changes you made.  2. Copy and Paste for ConsistencyOnce a part is in the right orientation, use Copy/Paste to replicate its position and alignment. For asymmetrical pieces, the Mirror tool is useful to maintain consistency without starting from scratch.3. Limit Component CombinationsCombining too many components into one model can lead to hidden self-intersections, which may slow down slicing. To avoid this, keep assemblies simple and split them into separate .3mf projects if necessary. This will improve slicer performance and reduce errors.4. Connectors and TolerancesWhen adding connectors, ensure you use at least two per part for proper alignment. For tolerances, I recommend 0.2mm for holes and pins, but this can vary depending on print orientation and material. Adjust as needed to ensure a snug fit.By following these tips, you’ll streamline your workflow and achieve high-quality, customizable terrain models with ease. Happy printing!