REVISITED: 3D Printing Magazine

I've been blogging regularly now for about 6-8 weeks now and one of my first things to give you info on was a brand new magazine from Eaglemoss Publishing called 3D Create and Print - a part-work collection where you literally build your own 3D Printer.  We are now more than 11 issues in, and I promised I would revisit it and see where we are at.

For those of you new to my blog and, to the magazine, here's a recap about what I said originally:
Divided into sections, the magazine is broken into chapters about 3D printing history, tutorials on 3D design, 3D modelling and tips and tricks. They advise you on a recommended 3D modelling software (which is free to download) and there are a number of designs each issue for things you can build in the printer. These designs range from fancy balls and chess pieces to my personal favourite in issue one - a catapult! Each issue features a unique code to download the featured design as files and these are available for free as is the recommended 3D software to use in conjunction with the printer. Each issue includes bits of the printer to construct and of course instructions on how to put it all together.  On their official blog, they have a video of a "How To" put together the pieces from the first 20 issues - check it out here.

So far, I have been building the printer and it's been really easy to do and it's coming together nicely. The last few issues have been a bit strange as we got a few bits that we had to wait a few issues for before we put them all together. As a subscriber, I got them all at the same time so it was great to do a chunk at once. I've already received some of the subscriber bits including a funky memory stick in the shape of a key and the binder which is great for keeping everything together. As specified, 90 issues are planned so I'm literally 1/9th of the way through.  If you want to get involved along with me - then you can subscribe and get more information here.

3D printers are rather expensive still - but this is modern tech for you. People have asked me why I have been collecting this magazine when I could just go out and buy one for a little cheaper. My argument would be I could, but they add extra value by doing extra. So I've been collecting the magazine for 11 issues now (another four due soon) and each issue you get design downloads. Some of these are "BUILDUPS" and some are completed designs already. Eleven issues in and I have 44 separate items that I can use with this printer. Each magazine comes with a tutorial for other projects using the free software you can download. They also promise a further 10 exclusive designs for subscribers too - so if art and design ain't your thing, you'll still get use out of printer when it's done. BUILDUPS include a toy car, chess set, puzzles and other stuff. Meanwhile one off projects include soap dishes and egg cups, iphone protectors and more. On the official website you can register to download these designs and they have them under different headings like jewellery, homewares, arty pieces and much more. I'm impressed with the breadth of the different items that can be made; and, if you get good, could even alter them in the design software.

So, like I originally thought, I am still impressed and look forward to the next issues. I'll drop back into it in another ten or so issues and show some photos too. When the project is completed, I will do a video to show you it in action, and a full review too. Well done Eaglemoss, keep it up.

Have you bought this magazine? What do you think? Let me know below!

Until next time

Paul 

What I'm talking about:  3D Printer Magazine

Where do I go to find out more? http://www.3dprinter-collection.com/

READ: Judge Dredd : The Mega Collection

Back at the turn of a new decade when the 80's had finished and the new 90's was coming into view, I was at secondary school. I was getting a bit too old for The Beano and The Dandy, and it was hard come by for any of the American comics like X-Men and The Avengers. Although I was particularly fond of getting Uncanny X-Men and The Flash comics as regularly as possible, the local newsagents in my local towns were terrible at getting the issues regularly. I didn't stand a chance when it came to crossover issues! I was getting older and I needed something to satiate my comic need!

 

After a brief obsession with Dan Dare and The Mekon, I stumbled upon Judge Dredd in the more adult 2000AD magazine that was regularly available at my local newsagents. I started reading and was immediately hooked on Megacity One and Joe Dredd's iconic look and style. Some of the magazines artistry was amazing... like I had never seen before. Meanwhile my friend and I had been running an RPG club at school and he had found a Judge Dredd Role Playing Game which we loved playing. Our computers had the Judge Dredd computer game too but luckily we hadn't been subjected to the Stallone fronted Judge Dredd movie that I would rather forget.

 

At the same time all this happened, someone somewhere decided to release a magazine called the Judge Dredd Megazine: The Law In Order. I remember issue one having a gold Dredd badge and I carried it around with me thinking that, like Stallone, "I am the law!". The magazine, in black and white, reprinted the stories from the original 200AD comics from the very beginning. I remember the Megazine being a very thick tome and great value for money.

 

Judge Dredd had been created within a year of when I was born so I will always have an affinity for this lawman.  I was lucky enough to meet Pat Mills, who worked on 2000AD and Judge Dredd, in 2014 at the last Sci Fi Weekender in Wales.

 

But now, in 2015, there is a new thing in town - and this is the latest collection for Judge Dredd fans - Judge Dredd: The Mega Collection. Spanning 80 issues (RRP £9.99 every fortnight) the hardbacked comics explain the stories and major events in Megacity One. Issue one is at a special reduced price and includes a leaflet which opens out into a poster. Issue 2 will be available at the special price of £6.99.

 

The hardbacked books feature a specific set or sequence of stories but also some extra bits including extra stories, sketchbook prints and galleries. These stories are grouped thematically, unlike the Megazine which is running stories in chronological order. The presentation of stories differs dependent on artists and stories it was lifted from and each book has it's own title. Issue one's is America, followed by Mechanismo in issue two and three is The Apocalypse War. If you collect all of the issues the hardbacked books they all create a rather fetching picture of Dredd in action. I'm told that the issues also include out of print stories that are exclusive to this collection.  

 

Subscribers are well looked after too - and for those of the collector elite check this out : you can get six limited edition prints if you want to upgrade your subscription for an extra £1 per issue. The gifts you get from the subscriptions are: discount issue two, issue three free, a replica Judge Dredd badge, Judge Dredd tin coasters, Judge Dredd Metal bookends (goes well with the series) and, if you do it online, a free Judge Dredd takeaway coffee mug (which I think is a really weird thing to give to a subscriber, but it seems a good quality ceramic one).

 

This is a quality collection, no doubt about it, and great for Judge Dredd fans and collectors alike. It costs £9.99 an issue so it's going to be a fortnightly thing - so that's around £20 a month (£21 if you are a premium subscriber). If you are a true Dredd fan and have a lot of comics and magazines it might be a bit expensive to get this, and may have already most of the stories. But, if you are new to Dredd or want to have a spectacular collection gracing your shelves, this could be something to look into. Now, excuse me while I go dig out my copy of Judgement on Gotham, gotta love the Batman Vs Judge Dredd stories.

 

Until next time

Paul 

What I'm talking about:  Judge Dredd : The Mega Collection

Where do I go to find out more? http://www.judgedreddcollection.com/
 

 

TECH: 3D Printing Magazine - Issue 1

Out this week is a new magazine from Eaglemoss Publishing called 3D Create and Print a magazine part-work collection where you literally build your own 3D Printer. It's £1.99 for the first issue and I've been having a flick through it and there seems to be some interesting stuff here if you're interested in 3D printing technology. Divided into sections, the magazine is broken into chapters about 3D printing history, tutorials on 3D design, 3D modelling and tips and tricks. They advise you on a recommended 3D modelling software (which is free to download) and there are a number of designs each issue for things you can build in the printer. These designs range from fancy balls and chess pieces to my personal favourite in issue one - a catapult! Each issue features a unique code to download the featured design as files and these are available for free as is the recommended 3D software to use in conjunction with the printer. Each issue includes bits of the printer to construct and of course instructions on how to put it all together.

The completed printer looks quite trendy and each issue you get builds a little more of the printer itself. I looked into this a bit further and found that they plan 90 issues. Each issue retails at £6.99 (Eire 11.99) and two premium issues (issues 53 & 59) that include circuit boards (which is expected because it's a printer) at the extra price of £14.99 (Eire 19.99) each issue. The first issue is only £1.99 and is available now. Extra binders (you get one free with the subscription plan, but I'm sure with 90 issues you will need more) cost extra and are not included with the magazine and cost £6.99 (Eire 11.99). Subscribers get a binder sent ever 15 issues at the same cost. 

If you bought all 90 issues (factoring in the cost of the special issues and no binders) you are looking at £640.10 to complete the whole thing. But, if you have some spare cash floating around and can't wait, you can buy the printer already assembled through the website for £799, or £699 if you can get in there before 31st January 2015. You'll not get it until April 2015, but it includes all you need to get going and a 100g of filament to get you started. You can also buy further filament and some other cool stuff from the same website.

The enclosed parts of the printer seem good quality and I've already had a crack at putting it together. It's bit by bit, but it seems easy enough to do and the pieces fit together quite nicely. Think of it as Ikea for technology! On their official blog, they have a video of a "How To" put together the pieces from the first 20 issues - check it out here.

Subscription wise, it's looking quite appealing. If you subscribe to the magazine there are gifts you receive that include free digital edition of the magazine in addition to the physical one, a binder to store your magazines in, a toolkit, a 4GB branded flash drive, PLA (Poly Lactic Acid) filament and 10 extra 3D designs to do on your completed printer. The gifts seem impressive, but they don't specify how much filament you get - though it looks like you get quite a bit in different colours. The filament is the necessary material for you to print the 3D item - that is - it's like the paper for a conventional printer. The toolkit is for refining your 3D designs and includes screwdrivers, scalpels, pliers and the like. The flash drive is branded to V3 which is the name of the printer - Vector 3.

I have bought a copy of the magazine and it makes interesting reading - but I have an interest in this field of technology anyway. I will be subscribing and having a go at this - but I will let you know what I think as we go along. If you want to get involved along with me - then you can subscribe and get more information here.

In a nutshell I'm impressed with this and quite excited - but it's only issue one. I'll come back in a few issues time for a further review and keep you updated.

Have you bought this magazine? What do you think? Let me know below!

Until next time

Paul 

What I'm talking about:  3D Printer Magazine

Where do I go to find out more? http://www.3dprinter-collection.com/