The Doll Forum

Has anyone considered or tried converting a life size Mannequin into a balljointed doll?
It's and idea I'm considering.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WAaiOVWrAI, hope this gives you some help

BigBurrito wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WAaiOVWrAI, hope this gives you some help

Thanks for that, I've seen it before but need something a bit neater although the idea is good.

Hi Anton,

We had a lengthy discussion on this subject here...
http://dollforum.com/forum/viewtopic.ph ... l+size+BJD

I think it could be done but it would be quite a task.
The hip joints will be the most difficult to work out.
I came to the conclusion that printing one would probably be just as easy and you could make it just the way you want.
Having a large 3d printer would help a lot.

MannequinFan wrote:Hi Anton,

We had a lengthy discussion on this subject here...
http://dollforum.com/forum/viewtopic.ph ... l+size+BJD

I think it could be done but it would be quite a task.
The hip joints will be the most difficult to work out.
I came to the conclusion that printing one would probably be just as easy and you could make it just the way you want.
Having a large 3d printer would help a lot.

Many thanks for the link I will have a read, I did think about the 3D printing route too can you give me any idea of the kind of machine I would need and material cost for say a 100cm bjd please?

Anton wrote: Many thanks for the link I will have a read, I did think about the 3D printing route too can you give me any idea of the kind of machine I would need and material cost for say a 100cm bjd please?

100cm is only about 39".
If that's what you're looking at, you might be more interested in looking at my Abby project.
Shes's about the same height - 38" to 39". Still working on refining the legs/knee joints.
http://dollforum.com/forum/viewtopic.ph ... 3#p1157783



I'm not sure about the total cost yet but I would figure on at least a couple 1kg rolls of filament at an average of about $30/roll.

The only printer I have personal experience with is Afinia (Up3d in Europe).
http://afinia.com/
https://www.up3d.com/
They are great printers and basically plug and play, but a bit more expensive.
The Anycubic printer has got some good reviews and is cheaper, but probably not as plug and play as the Afinia/Up3d.
http://axisgeek.com/anycubic-i3-mega-3d-printer/

That's brilliant, how long would it take to print such a model?

There is also a line of dolls called "Masterpiece Dolls" They can be had up to the 40" - 48" height.
They are a child like BJD so they have to be modified to look more adult. I took a 48" one and bumped it up to around 54" tall.

They do run around $325.00 new, but used can sometimes be found. I got mine for just over $100.00 as the head was damaged in shipment and tossed out so no collector value to it.

Anton wrote:That's brilliant, how long would it take to print such a model?

I don't have a complete tally of the time so far, but if I remember the legs took about 40 hours, and the body took roughly another 40. So you'd be talking a couple of weeks at least.
It would be a big project.

rubherkitty wrote:There is also a line of dolls called "Masterpiece Dolls" They can be had up to the 40" - 48" height.
They are a child like BJD so they have to be modified to look more adult. I took a 48" one and bumped it up to around 54" tall.

They do run around $325.00 new, but used can sometimes be found. I got mine for just over $100.00 as the head was damaged in shipment and tossed out so no collector value to it.

What did you do to get it taller?
Interesting idea thanks.

MannequinFan wrote:

Anton wrote:That's brilliant, how long would it take to print such a model?

I don't have a complete tally of the time so far, but if I remember the legs took about 40 hours, and the body took roughly another 40. So you'd be talking a couple of weeks at least.
It would be a big project.

Ohh I see that is a long process I could work a lot faster with fibreglass and cast a resin positive but thanks anyway it's very interesting.

Anton wrote:

rubherkitty wrote:There is also a line of dolls called "Masterpiece Dolls" They can be had up to the 40" - 48" height.
They are a child like BJD so they have to be modified to look more adult. I took a 48" one and bumped it up to around 54" tall.

They do run around $325.00 new, but used can sometimes be found. I got mine for just over $100.00 as the head was damaged in shipment and tossed out so no collector value to it.

What did you do to get it taller?
Interesting idea thanks.

Here's the conversion thread: https://www.dollforum.com/forum/viewtop ... =6&t=71262
If you can handle fiberglass, bondo and pop rivets this conversion is right up your alley.

I have slept on the whole 3D printing idea. Would this process be good for creating a Master doll then from there use it to create resin copies?