Legends of Equestria Alicorn Statue

thingiverse

This is a modified version of a model from [Legends of Equestria](https://legendsofequestria.com)\r\n\r\nFind this on [DeviantArt](https://www.deviantart.com/mraagh/art/3D-Printed-Alicorn-Statue-from-LoE-846162793)\r\nFind this on my website at [mazie.rocks/a/loestatue.html](http://mazie.rocks/a/loestatue.html)\r\nStopmotion video: https://youtu.be/uH-YoRytt70\r\nAnimation: https://youtu.be/SCzuEviPV_o\r\n\r\n# GUIDE:\r\nHere are my recommendations about how to print this, based on experience.\r\n\r\n## MAIN.STL:\r\n\r\n- Use a brim for better adhesion.\r\n- Do not use automatic supports! Instead, use custom supports in support.stl.\r\n- Enable z-hopping to prevent unnecessary forces during printing.\r\n- Add infill for strength and stability.\r\n\r\nI've minimized the number of support towers to reduce printing time. However, some are necessary to hold up the hooves, tails, and heads.\r\nThe heads require additional support above the model itself, while other supports rest on top of the build plate.\r\nA custom support structure is included, designed for Ultimaker Cura but compatible with other slicers.\r\n\r\nBed adhesion is crucial since the main part consists of multiple smaller segments that print in parallel. To prevent detachment and misalignment, I've added a tine structure in main.stl.\r\nCut off these tines with wirecutters after printing. A wide and thick brim will help ensure proper adhesion (increase initial layer thickness).\r\n\r\nDefinitely enable z-hopping for the main part to prevent it from crashing during printing.\r\nInfill is also essential, as I used 20% infill density.\r\n\r\nTip: after printing, cut off 1mm at the bottom of each cape to prevent annoying sounds when sliding on surfaces.\r\nThis model took me 54 hours to print.\r\n\r\n## WINGS:\r\n\r\n- Use a brim for better adhesion.\r\n- Do not use supports. Instead, enable z-hopping and lower nozzle temperature.\r\n- Print two wings at the same time to allow them to cool down between prints.\r\n- Cut off rafts with wirecutters after printing.\r\n\r\nI've added a raft and stability structure to firmly attach the wings to the model. However, bed attachment remains unreliable, so z-hopping is necessary to prevent unnecessary forces during printing.\r\nBecause of the small cross-section, melting can occur. To mitigate this, lower the nozzle temperature and speed, and print multiple wings at once to give them time to cool down between prints.\r\n\r\n## HORN TIPS:\r\n\r\nThe horn tips don't print well due to their thin shape. Here are three solutions to address this issue:\r\n\r\nSolution 1: Scale the horns.stl model by measuring the height of the tallest horn with calipers and then adjusting it accordingly.\r\nSolution 2: Print the horns_for_manual_sculpting.stl instead, and use sandpaper to sharpen the horns. I haven't tried this method but believe it could work.\r\nSolution 3: Use painted toothpicks as horns instead of printing them.\r\n\r\n# How I created this model:\r\nThe original model from the game was not suitable for printing. To make it printable, I made several modifications:\r\n\r\n- Closed all surfaces with holes in them to prevent material loss during printing.\r\n- Removed internal caves and unnecessary gaps to improve printability.\r\n- Extended floating details to touch the body without gaps.\r\n- Removed tiny or floating details that cannot be printed.\r\n- Reshaped manes, hooves, tails, wings, and clothes to have steeper overhangs.\r\n- Ensured neighboring objects overlap where possible for better support.\r\n- Made bridges perfectly horizontal where feasible.\r\n- Moved parts around to make space for supports.\r\n- Split wings, horns, and some hooves into separate printable objects.\r\n- Extended capes to touch the ground.\r\n- Made distinct parts touch together early in the printing process. An exception is one of the 4 capes, which has an additional stability structure.\r\n- Removed details on feathers and made them thicker for better printability.\r\n- Custom-built adhesion and support structures.