3D Printers Bring Vietnamese Mythical Toys to Life

[ 3D printers] [News] Amid a sea of foreign toys, Vietnamese children can now choose products that “step out” of their own nation’s myth and folk tale, Son Tinh – Thuy Tinh (the Mountain God and the Water God).

3D printers bring Vietnamese mythical toys to life.

A toy lover with a huge collection of more than 1,500 superheroes and other characters, Mr. Nguyen Tu, a lecturer at the School of Communication and Design at RMIT University Vietnam, had been nurturing the idea of designing and producing his own line of model toys for more than 5 years.

Speaking to the press, Mr. Tu said: “I want to take the Vietnamese folk and historical characters designed by me and my students off the drawing board and bring them to life as real models”.

However, it was hard to find a manufacturer in Vietnam that could make small model toys with lots of high-quality detail. He spent 2 years searching for a manufacturer and testing samples.

“Only recently, when a company that makes export goods for Japan in Tan Duc Industrial Park (Long An) boldly invested in a production line able to make items that demand great care and precision, was I able to launch my first toy set, called Son Tinh – Thuy Tinh,” Mr. Tu said.

Son Tinh – Thuy Tinh

3D printers bring Vietnamese mythical toys to life.

The Son Tinh – Thuy Tinh toy set, part of the Van Tich product line, has five characters: King Hung, Mi Chau, Son Tinh, Thuy Tinh and the nine-maned horse. It comes packaged with a bilingual comic book and a dice game for racing across terrain.

Mr. Nguyen Tu is also the CEO of Vinamation, a Ho Chi Minh City company that makes visual effects for Hollywood films. The company has hired many RMIT University Vietnam graduates to work on film effects. Six alumni of the university also contributed to the Van Tich product line.

3D printers bring Vietnamese mythical toys to life.

His students in the toy-making course also made their mark with a chess set made on a low-cost 3D printer, called “Legend”, at the Senses of Vietnam competition in late 2016.

Contact CT3D Group

CT3D Group – Professional 3D printing, 3D scanning, design and rapid prototyping services nationwide.

• CT3D Thu Duc – Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hai Phong: in3d.edu.vn – Hotline 0975 008 728 (Mr. Thai)
• CT3D District 6 – Ho Chi Minh City: 3dmaker.vn – Hotline 038 7798308 (Mr. Phuc)

Frequently asked questions

How are model toys made with 3D printing?

The character is designed in digital sculpting software, split into parts, and the master is 3D printed in resin for high detail. The master is then finished, molded and cast in plastic or resin for production, and finally painted and packaged.

Which 3D printing technology suits small character models?

SLA/DLP resin printing is usually preferred because it gives a smooth surface and keeps fine details like facial features and costume patterns. FDM is better for large models with less detail.

Can toys be mass-produced with 3D printers?

Small quantities can be printed directly, but for large volumes the 3D print is usually used as a master to make silicone or injection molds. This lowers the cost per piece and keeps quality consistent.

Are 3D printed toys safe for children?

Choose safe materials and non-toxic paint, and avoid small parts that can be swallowed or sharp edges. Commercial toys for young children must also meet the required toy safety standards.

Can I order a character model from my own design?

Yes. From a sketch or a character image, technicians can build a 3D model, print a sample and paint it. Contact CT3D by Hotline/Zalo 0975 008 728 for advice on the right process.

Related services at CT3D Group

• On-demand 3D printing service
• 3D scanning service – high-accuracy 3D scanning
• Custom 3D design service
• CT3D Group network: ct3dgroup.com · in3d.edu.vn – Hotline/Zalo 0975 008 728