1) Using 3D Printing

This time, we used a 3D printer to create the base models of the Keyblades.
After preparing the data for printing, we divided the data into parts before commencing printing.

The main body of Ventus’ Keyblade consists of 7 parts along with decorative details.

The room with the 3D printer maintains a temperature of around 40℃. According to the staff: “The room has to be warm to ensure a beautiful print. But we do have to consider that continuously printing in such a warm environment can also break the printer (lol).”

With all the 3D printed parts ready, they now fall into the hands of professionals.
Staff: “The printing can be done with a machine, but the 3D printer is a helpful tool at most. Final finishing and color coating are difficult processes and require specialized skills.”

2) Polishing

All parts are organized after printing is complete.

Staff: “This is the part of the production process that takes the longest and directly correlates to the quality of the finished product.” He says this as he uses sandpaper to polish the surfaces. Checking the unique horizontal stripes from the 3D printer, the connecting joints of each part, filling empty spaces with putty, then polishing once more. Polish, polish, polish…

3) Primer

Once the earnest polishing is finally done with, it’s time to apply primer. Using an independently formulated surfacer, the coating is uniformly applied with an airbrush.

Once sprayed, the 3D print is moved to a drying oven and dries completely in about 10 minutes. Once dried, the surfaces are polished once more with fine sandpaper.

4) Vivid Coloring

With the primer carefully applied, it’s finally time to add color.
The paint here is also generally applied using airbrush.

Masking tape is rarely used.
When using masking tape, residual paint along the tape border may result in a border forming, or cause an undesirable paint texture. Preparation for the perfect finished product starts before printing is even underway.

All parts are painted with 2 coats in about 10 minutes, then moved to the drying oven again to dry.
All at once, these previously lifeless parts have weight and presence to them.

Once the paint is fixed, it’s the final clear coat before completion.

5) Completion!

Three Keyblades, complete!
The glossy finish, intricate chain details, and more combine for a beautiful final product.