Modern Armies in Miniature has some new figures delivered across the scales.
This is partial text from the full article (usually with photos) at https://armorama.com/news/special-ops-from-maim
This is partial text from the full article (usually with photos) at https://armorama.com/news/special-ops-from-maim
It’s curious that some images say “Boxart created with AI Support” while others say just “Created with AI Support”, I understand in this case the AI has helped in the design of the figure itself.
I have nothing against it, for me it is a tool that you have to use correctly but I am glad to see it marked explicitly.
Although I have no knowledge to talk about their accuracy, as figures they look very nice.
I’m not sure I like the trend of sculpting figures using AI. I feel we could be slowly losing traditional sculptors in this hobby.
Mario
2 Likes
If these were sculpted using AI they missed the mark, Kit is stowed in odd places.
Apparently the rule for most “specs ops” figures - unbloused trousers, veiny arms, baseball cap.
At least we’re getting away from everyone having a bushy beard.
2 Likes
FN SCAR is the weapon of choice for Spec Ops operators? These figures look a little too generic for me.
1 Like
MAiM doesn’t ship to the USA because of the tariffs; I asked months ago.
They look “Okay” to me, but I’ve seen better and I agree with @Maki in that one has to be a sculptor to understand Special Operations Forces (SOF) figures. There are no rifle scopes or carbine accessories such as laser designators, which is highly unusual considering that these are SOF figures and should be equipped with the latest gadgets.
The vest pouches look extremely boxy and not natural. It’s nice that there are magazine reloads; however, a traditional sculptor would make the vest pouches look more natural and not exaggerated in scale and appearances. There are no squad radios; no grenade pouches, no knives, no other pouches, and no high-tech gadgets like infrared strobes or First Aid pouch. One has to know SOF Operators and the AI computer didn’t.
I think that the main factor that turned me off with these figures in that they seem to be a good starting basis that needs to go further than just “AI sculpting” to be realistic and natural, and thus marketable because AI sculpting is competing against Airborne Miniatures, Assault Models, Legend Productions, SOL Models, H3 Models, Live-Resin, and others that came before MAiM in terms of modern military figures.
Figures are ok, as Trisaw said, they are a step up from 3D sculpt, but still a step behind 3D scan, like these examples, the finesse of the detail is lacking
With the diminishing number of modern figure producers, this may be the only option. Its been a year since Airborne-Miniatures produced anything and the site has nothing in stock, Assault have stopped trading, and most other companies do WWII axis figures. Live Resin does good modern subjects, but are increasingly difficult to source; companies like Speira & Spalah do 3Dscan ans have some modern subjects, but its not a viable market when compared to WWII Germans.
1 Like
The market demand for large scale figures is not really there anymore, especially for 1/16 and larger modern military figures as they don’t sell well. I asked a few foreign figure producers and they want to stick with making and selling new 1/35 scale figures.
Of course there are some modern military figures made in 1/16 and larger scales, but how accurate are those? Many are taking from CGI 3D figure images found online and are not really realistic or accurate, they’re just a seller who wants to make a fast profit selling 3D designs readily available on the internet.
Not much is mentioned about the professional 3D figure sculptors, be they using 3D scans or their own artistic sculpting knowledge. When I asked, many complained to me over the years and decades that they didn’t get paid by the vendor (never heard back from the boss when the figure was done), and thus quit their jobs with them. They felt burned and cheated and won’t trust working for that company ever again. That is the “hidden truth” behind why making new figures is so difficult, and unfortunately, it seemed to be a trend with several figure manufacturers, even some of the popular brands. When you do work, you’re supposed to get paid for it—that is the definition of “working.”
And then there is patriotism and nationalism as many figure vendors sculpt and sell figures of their own nation now. Live-Resin now mostly sells new Russian figures. Spalah Models sculpts 3D-printed Ukrainian figures. BlackSnake Models sells 3D-printed French figures. It’s their company so obviously they can make and sell the figures that they want. Of course there are smaller model kit sellers that occasionally sell figures of a unique subject and theme, but they are rare and so are their products.
2 Likes