DeeThree Builds 3D Printed Yacht Models Which are Incredibly Realistic

A prestigious yacht company wanted to create some physical models of their luxury ships to display in their offices and to clients of their new flagship yacht, the V62-S.

The company contacted DeeThree Limited, an offshoot company of Northampton University in the UK that specializes in visualizations, building physical models using 3D printing and traditional methods, augmented reality, and virtual reality techniques.

Each model was to be 620mm in length and mounted on an oak base to represent a scaled down version of the 62-foot-long original ships.

But there was a catch.

There was no CAD data available to DeeThree as Princess were intent on protecting their intellectual property. They’d experienced those sorts of problems when working with previous suppliers, and that meant all the 3D modeling had to be drawn from scratch.

The project began with nothing more that a few pictures of the yacht to work from to determine how the final boat models should look.

Joe Mitchell of DeeThree says the company turns ideas into a digital or physical reality by listening to a client’s visions, dreams, and aspirations — and then brings them to life by combining creative thinking with cutting edge techniques.

“For these models we were not provided with the CAD files, instead we were given a couple of images from their brochure and asked to draw the files from scratch,” says Mitchell. “I used a combination of Nurbs and mesh based modeling packages to produce these with Maya and Rhino.”

The models were created in CAD then split into 130 separate components. The large number of parts made it easier for DeeThree to realize a highly detailed finish as the individual pieces were completed. A jig was built to allow DeeThree to create, using vacuum forming, the visor of the boat. Internal pieces were printed and sprayed with their final colors before assembly.

Mitchell says the project required techniques from SLS, SLA and CNC milling and laser cutting to complete the project — start to finish — in just 20 days.

Mitchell says the project didn’t end with the 3D printed versions.

“While the 3D printed models were locked to one location, the AR application we designed allowed the sales team to display the V62 in any place desired,” Mitchell says. “When the user moves a tablet, it displays the yacht in 3D from any angle in real time. No need to view them or use a CAD experience, and it’s all activated from the click of a button.”

According to Mitchell, the app also includes links to display promotional material, statistics, and pricing information for the yacht and to the Princess Yachts website.

“The end results were some beautifully designed digital and physical model yachts that received great online kudos – and a very happy client,” Mitchell said.

What do you think of these 3D printed yacht models from DeeThree Limited? Can you see needing models like this for your business? Let us know in the 3D Printed Yacht Models forum thread on 3DPB.com. Check out more photos of the models below.