Say Hello to the 3D Printed Cover Girls Created for ‘Heavy Metal Magazine’

3D printing is a process that goes hand in hand with digital 3D modeling techniques. The only obstacle that really remains preventing 3D modelers everywhere from utilizing this technology is the fact that many of these designers are afraid to jump onto the 3D printing bandwagon due to fear of the unknown. For one freelance sculptor who goes by the name Alterton Bizarre, 3D printing was a way for him to open the door to the amazing, incredible, and extraordinary projects.

Alterton originally began work in the collectibles industry over 10 years ago as a traditional sculptor for brands such as Marvel Comics, Transformers, Gears of War, and Pirates of the Caribbean, and more recently as a digital artist for brands like Mortal Kombat 9, Marvel Vs. Capcom 3, The Walking Dead, and many more. He recently, however, came to the realization that 3D printing was a tool for the future.

Guardian of the Gates Statue

“I got into this marvelous 3D world because about 3-4 years ago it was the thing to come, and slowly we, the traditional ones, were left behind for this new 3D printing technology,” Alterton explains to 3DPrint.com. “Now-a-days, most companies and products are being done digitally.”

Recently Alterton was approached by a company called Hollywood Collectibles Group, requesting that he help them design 1:4 scale models for their “Heavy Metal Magazine Cover Girls line.”

Most companies that get in contact with Alterton find him either because he submitted his portfolio to them, or because they have seen his work elsewhere. When hired, it all starts out with a simple concept design, which could be anything from a movie screen capture to a drawn out sketch of a character.

To model these incredibly detailed, and very sexy, Heavy Metal Magazine Cover Girls, Alterton used ZBrush, a software familiar to most within the 3D modeling space. The latest version of the software features an “easy to do” cuts and keys feature for mass production, which eliminates the need for using any other software. Once the models were ready for printing, Alterton used a company called Ownage to have them 3D printed for him.

“I don’t have a clue about the 3D printer that was used and all the 3D printing technology, as the prints were done by Ownage,” Alterton said. “They managed the file I sent and did the set up for print. I just model the piece, and get it ready for Ownage to do their magic.”

After the 3D printed piece was complete, it was sent to Hollywood Collectibles for approval before being sent off to a mold maker to have casts made. Then they were shipped off to the paint-masters, Jeff Camp and Fred DiSantos, to be post-processed. The end results are what you see in the photos provided.

The model of the lady wielding a knife, about to pull her sword is titled “Sperlonga’s Into The Fog,” and it is based on Lorenzo Sperlonga’s cover. The model of the woman standing over a pile of skulls is called “Guardian of the Gates,” and it is based on Simon Bisley’s cover.

These are just a couple of the extraordinary pieces that Alterton has created with the help of 3D printing technology. What do you think about these incredible creations? Discuss in the Heavy Metal Cover Girls 3D Printed Models forum thread on 3DPB.com.