If anyone is willing to indulge me, I’ll be thankful.
I’m curious about the design process of plastic toy soldiers (high-end, collectable 1/32nd scale) from sculpting to mold-making.
Is this done with wireframe and clay while certain repeated parts (rifles, gear) are sculpted and resin casts made?
Or is it done with software and pattern-making exported from the software? (bear with me, I’m a graphic designer not in the ID biz so be patient with my ignorance)
I’m asking as I may be helping out on a student film where the main character reluctantly sculpts such figures in addition to other, cooler ID work. It would be helpful to know the process.
There are alot of different ways to get the sculpt for toy figures.
Most traditional is a wax pattern to make the final tool. Wax can take very fine detail. The wax pattern can be made into an EDM (electro discharge machining) tool and burned into the steel.
A digital model from FreeForm can also be used but when printed out will steel need to be cleaned up and possibly re sculpted in areas to get fine detail.