The world of 3D printing is constantly evolving, and articulated models have become a fascinating niche for enthusiasts. Among these, dragons hold a special allure, embodying mythical power and intricate detail. The “Night Spirit Dragon” 3D print emerges as a captivating remix, showcasing both artistic design and printability.
This model, available for download on Printables.com, is the brainchild of AKinferno, a designer passionate about refining and customizing 3D printed dragons. Drawing inspiration from the “Spirit Dragon” and “Night Dragon” models by sunset3d and MZ4250 respectively, AKinferno has meticulously crafted a variant that stands out for its unique aesthetic and enhanced printability.
AKinferno’s journey with Dragon 3d Prints began with personalizing the Spirit Dragon for his daughter. This personal project evolved into a quest for improvement, leading to numerous tweaks and modifications. The Night Spirit Dragon is a testament to this dedication, representing a significant step in creating a visually striking and user-friendly 3D printable model.
One of the primary focuses in developing the Night Spirit Dragon was addressing the challenge of printing horns without supports. Feedback from the 3D printing community highlighted the difficulty encountered with the original Spirit Dragon’s horns. In response, AKinferno sought out dragon head designs that minimized severe overhangs. The chosen head for the Night Spirit Dragon, while visually impressive, presented new overhang challenges in areas like the lower fins and chin.
To overcome these, AKinferno employed a series of clever adjustments. Rotation, scaling, base flattening, and reshaping of the fins were all utilized to bring overhang angles closer to a manageable 45 degrees. These modifications significantly improved printability, as evidenced by positive feedback and successful prints shared by other users. Despite these optimizations, printing the horns slowly is still recommended to ensure the delicate details, especially the thin frills, are rendered accurately.
The Night Spirit Dragon is offered with different horn variations to cater to diverse preferences and printing capabilities. The ‘og’ model retains the original head design, featuring thinner frills and horns that demand careful printing, ideally with supports for optimal results. Conversely, the ‘thick’ and ‘smooth’ models present thickened, textured horns, designed for easier support-free printing. The ‘bumpy’ variant introduces a unique aesthetic with bulged horns, offering another stylistic choice. These variations allow users to select the model that best suits their printer setup and desired visual outcome.
Optimal Print Settings for Your Dragon 3D Print:
To ensure a successful dragon 3D print, AKinferno recommends the following settings:
- Walls: 2+ walls (3 walls are suggested for enhanced robustness)
- Infill: 10%+ infill (20% is preferred for added weight, but lightning or even 0% infill can be viable)
- Layer Height: 0.10mm layers or finer (quality remains good even at 0.2mm)
- Supports & Brims: Not required in most cases (individual printer performance may vary)
- Scaling: 70% or larger (scaling down too much can cause joint fusion; separate parts in slicer if scaling below 100%)
The Night Spirit Dragon is more than just a visually appealing model; it is a testament to community collaboration and iterative design improvement within the 3D printing sphere. AKinferno actively encourages user feedback and promptly addresses any reported issues, demonstrating a commitment to model refinement and user satisfaction. This dedication fosters a collaborative environment where user experiences directly contribute to the ongoing improvement of the design.
For those interested in downloading and printing the Night Spirit Dragon, the model files are freely available on Printables.com. Furthermore, AKinferno offers commercial rights to his derivative models through his Printables Club, providing an opportunity for enthusiasts to sell prints while supporting the creator’s work. This model serves as an excellent example of how remixing and community feedback can drive innovation and accessibility in 3D printing, bringing intricate and engaging designs like the Night Spirit Dragon to a wider audience.
