3D Printing Help

Why FDM is Better for Large Scale Terrain vs. Resin

Posted on by user
FDM 3d printers printing iain lovecraft medieval houses
12
Feb

In the world of 3D printing, there is a common misconception that “more detail is always better.” While that might be true for a 32mm hero miniature, when it comes to the sprawling architecture of a Lovecraft Landscape, the rules of the game change.

At i-lovecraft.com, our name represents a simple philosophy: we Love to Craft. Whether you are building the winding canals of Venice or the storied pagodas of Edo Japan, choosing the right tool for the job is essential. Here is why FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) is the undisputed king of large-scale terrain.

1. Structural Integrity and Durability

Large-scale terrain—like our historic houses, fortresses, and multi-deck ships—needs to be handled. It’s moved across gaming tables, stored in bins, and occasionally dropped.

FDM printing uses robust thermoplastics like PLA. These materials offer incredible structural integrity and a slight flex that prevents snapping. Resin (SLA), by contrast, is often heavy and brittle at a large scale. An FDM-printed tower can survive a tumble; a resin one often shatters into a puzzle of sharp shards.

2. The Economics of the “Lovecraft Landscape”

Size matters. Printing a massive Spanish fortification in liquid resin is not only messy but prohibitively expensive.

  • FDM: A standard 1kg spool of filament is highly affordable and can produce multiple large buildings.

  • Resin: The cost per liter of resin is significantly higher, and the hollowed-out “walls” required to save material can lead to internal uncured resin issues.

For a hobbyist who loves to craft entire cities, FDM provides the best “cent-per-square-inch” value on the market.

3. Engineering for the Beginner: Support-Free Design

One of the biggest headaches in 3D printing is “support removal”—the plastic scaffolding that usually keeps a model from failing. At Iain Lovecraft, we specialize in Support-Free Terrain.

Our models are engineered with specific angles and internal bridging that allow them to print 100% of the time without any supports.

  • FDM Advantage: Because FDM prints layer-by-layer on a heated bed, our geometry ensures a “clean” print every time.

  • No Post-Processing: You won’t spend hours clipping away plastic or sanding down “pockmarks.” You simply take it off the build plate and start painting.

4. Constant Evolution and Testing

A Lovecraft Landscape is a living project. Over the years, we have provided extensive updates and modifications to our original models. We don’t just design a building and forget it; we test-print our files on dozens of different FDM machines to ensure they are optimized for bed adhesion and thermal stability.

Summary: The Right Tool for the Job

At i-lovecraft.com, we recommend a “Hybrid Tabletop” approach:

  1. FDM Printing: For your buildings, ships, and scenery. It’s durable, affordable, and—thanks to our support-free designs—incredibly easy for beginners.

  2. Resin Printing: Reserved for our professional, pre-supported miniatures where microscopic detail is the priority.

By choosing FDM for your terrain, you aren’t just saving money—you’re investing in a hobby experience that is as stress-free as it is beautiful.

user