case studies, reviews and answers by vlad hernandez | aka futuristicvlad

What is 3D Printer 4 Hire?

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 19:41:29 -0500

Simply put I have 3D printers I can use to print any type of 'one-off' objects or limited volume copies of anything you might feel can be 3D printed to solve or fix your problem. You can even print a gift for a friend or a toy for your kids. Basically whatever you can find online that can be downloaded as a 3D file can be printed. More often than not you can already find what you need in open source communities. This saves the cost of modeling and prototyping a custom object. You can send me the STL (or OBJ) file to print or the link to download it myself and I would take care of the rest.

If you're not modeling it what am I paying for?

You're paying for the cost to setup the files for printing, printing material, energy cost and wear-n-tear on the printers.

Some prints can run for 24+ hours depending on the size and shape. Spools of filament cost between $30-$80 depending on the material required for your application. If there is a print failure, which can happen very easily, it's already factored into the cost.

Where Can I search for 3D files to print?

Thangs 3D provides search results from many 3D sites - https://thangs.com

Printables - https://www.printables.com

Thingiverse - https://www.thingiverse.com

What if I can't find the 3D part I'm looking for?

Contact me, via DM and let me know what you're looking for. I'll do a quick search to see if perhaps I can track it down on some other sites (there are many). If not then I'll let you know what it would take to make a simple model and print it for you OR if I need some detailed dimensions of what you want created.

Do you ship?

Not yet. For now I'm only offering local pickup in Calgary. If the parts are small enough I can ship within Canada but the extra shipping cost can vary between $5-$15 depending on the volume of the object. Any large cosplay pieces would be shipped in pieces and not fully assembled and requires a shipping quote.

I like cosplay, will you print costume parts?

Yes. You will need to provide me with the files you want printed. Often these need to be purchased by YOU, as I'm not selling their design but only printing it for you. Depending on the size of the object you want printed I may have to cut it into pieces that you'll have to bond together after to complete the final object. That extra work is included in the price. As a rough estimate most helmets will cost about $100 to print and use up a full roll of filament or sometimes more. DM me on Instagram @ futuristicvlad for a quote.

Where can I find high-quality cosplay models?

https://www.nikkoindustries.com/

https://www.do3d.com/

https://www.cgtrader.com/

There are many on Etsy as well.

Will you put the pieces of my cosplay helmet together?

I can, but I'll have to charge you an hourly rate to do this. I will fuse the joints together using a soldering iron but any filler and sanding on the joints will not be included. You will be responsible for that.

What's an example of 3D Printer for hire?

For instance if you need an adapter from one part to another, or you'd like to print a unique gift for a friend. Maybe you want a cool toys for your kid(s) or you want to print off pieces that they can use for a school project. The sky is the limit! If you can find the model you want on any 3D site listed above I can print it for you.

Can you do mulit-colour prints?

Yes. I can print up to 4 colours at once. However it's limited to the colours I have in stock. I do not regularly carry a wide array of colours. I do try to keep white, black, orange, yellow, green and blue on hand but there's no guarantee that I will have them.

Is this Considered Product Design?

No. When the aim is to design and create a product that can be mass produced and sold that is beyond the goals of Printer4Hire services I'm offering. I can do that but the product design is a completely different type of work that requires extensive 3D modeling, prototyping and considerable time in hours. Often require 3D scanning and many other service beyond the scope of Printer4Hire type service.

Lego Robot DJ (from the Lego Movie)

Wed, 05 Mar 2014 16:42:41 -0500

Inspired by the Lego Robot DJ from The Lego Movie

I get inspired by all sorts of things but I've always had a special place for Lego, since I was young. I'm not a hard-core AFOL (Adult Fan of Lego) but I do pick up a set here and there, especially if they're Iron Man ones.

I saw a photo of the Robot DJ posted on instagram and my first thought was "That would be great to put on a t-shirt for kids, and adults".

So in a morning I drew this and posted it up for everyone to see. A number of followers asked if I was going to put it on a t-shirt and so I did...

a kids t-shirt...

adult t-shirts...

a phone cases...

and a onesie...

I hope you like Lego, and this design!

Original Version - available as :

Baby Onesie	Kids Tee	Mens/Womens Tee
iPhone 4/4S 5/5S	iPhone 5C

Graffiti Version - available as :

Kids/Mens/Womens Tees

What software do you use?

Mon, 24 Jun 2013 18:49:04 -0400

For The Creative Process

To create my work I use a variety of software, but mostly Adobe products, which would include:

Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, Premiere, Acrobat and more.

For the Development Process

When it comes to development I don't limit myself either.
I'm use web standards such as HTML5, CSS3, PHP,
Ruby on Rails, XHTML2, Javascript,
Flash Actionscript 2.0 & 3.0.

For Content Management Options

There are a variety of Content Management Systems (CMS) I've used over the years,
my current favourites are Wordpress, Pulse Pro & Ghost.

Not sure what you want or need to do business online?

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:12:50 -0400

Category: Answers

The best approach to creating or improving your business online is to plan ahead. You don't first start without counting the costs and envisioning where you would like to take your business online in the next 2, 5 or 10 years. Don't think about the technology and details of function, I'll provide that, just think about how you want your business to operate. What tools would make your life, or the life of your staff, easier? Tell me your story and I'll help you take the next steps of making it happen online.

Are you expensive?

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:11:56 -0400

Category: Answers

My response is 'do you want your business to succeed?' Of course you do. Let's talk about the value I can bring to you and your business before you decide that I'm expensive. Cost isn't everything, let's meet so you can tell me about your business and your long term goals.

I'll give you an honest answer with a reasonable budget with options to choose from.

Who have you worked for?

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:17:49 -0400

Category: Answers

In my 20+ years I've worked for a variety of companies that have exposed me to various industries. Of course living in Alberta there is a considerable amount of oil & gas business but I do prefer to work with smaller businesses where I can have the most impact. I've worked with companies all over Canada and the US and as a result of working with many local agencies I've had the opportunity to work on projects for some very well-known brands you'll see listed below.

Oil & Gas Industry: Sanjel. Cenovus, Petro-Canada, Shell, Talismann, Encana, CEPA, PSAC and CAPP, geoLOGIC, Ferus.

Photographers: John Gaucher, Justen Lacoursiere and Ric Kokotovitch.

Architecture: Sturdy Co, Marc Boutin, Davignon Martin, Hannon Richards

Others: Co-op, City of Calgary, CP Rail, LookLabs, Jump Studios, Design Eyewear (AU), Lux Windows, Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club, Vote Calgary, ATCO, Fairmont Hot Springs, geoLOGIC, Quattro Integration, QMax, Fort Calgary, Revera Retirement Living, Calgary Stampede, Heritage Park and many other businesses.

Agencies: C&B Advertising, Mosaic Communications, Foundry Communications, Pitch Digital, Scout Communications, Nonfiction, Strut Creative, Studio Dialog.

My Roots Begin With...

While at Critical Mass I had the opportunity to work for Fortune 500 brands like Nike, Proctor & Gamble, Nokia, Dell, Mercedes Benz and Hyatt. All which gave me considerable insight into the value of brand, innovating and development of the highest quality. One of the biggest perks of working at Critical Mass was the people. I worked & learned from some very talented creative directors, designers, developer and project managers. Many of them have gone on to master their areas of expertise and I still keep in contact with many of them. I even contract some on occasion.

There were many projects I enjoyed while working at Critical Mass. But the best project was NikeiD. It was an amazing (and small) team and we created one of the hotest website at the time. We have the award to prove it too!

Are you just one man or do you have a team?

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:17:25 -0400

Category: Answers

Yes, for most projects you'll just be working with me. But should your needs be greater, I have a large network of highly experienced designers, developers and creative thinkers that can join the team. This allows me to choose only the best suited for the job at hand.

I don't limit myself to people just on my block, I contract individuals from all across Canada. What matters most to me is working with people who have great attention to detail and extensive experience working with demanding brands.

Are you willing to work for agencies?

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:16:54 -0400

Category: Answers

Yes I am. Various agencies hire me for different strengths I have in online design & development. Having extensive agency experience allows me to easily adapt to the crushing timelines and ever changing client needs. Yes I can speak your language.

Here's a selection of some that I have worked for.