How To Convert Large Files To 15mm/1-100th Scale For 3D Printing

So, you have a 3D printer (or want to buy one) and want to print and play 15mm Tabletop games.

The problem is, all the cool digital sculptors whose work you like seem to only offer .stl files in 28/32mm, or 1/56th scale if you're exacting when it comes to such matters, like me.

No worries.  You can easily use the slicer software that came with your printer to convert those big ones into little ones.  I happen to use Chitubox, but most slicer programs have similar concepts.

We start by selecting all the 28/32/1-56th scale files we are going to need, and import them on to the slicing plate.

Don't worry if they don't fit.  They soon will.

We select all the files, then click on the Scale command over on the sidebar.  Since these files are originally at 1/56th scale, and I want to go to 1/100th scale, I shrink the large files to 56% of their original size.

Now, they're like shrinky-dinks.

With the files all still selected, we use the Auto Arrange command to gather the scattered, smaller parts on the center of the slicing platform.

I de-select all the mass of files, and start moving things around to how orient things are normally oriented.  I prefer to put taller, more mass-intensive objects in the center of the build plate, with smaller stuff on the peripheral edges.  This is more art than science, and everyone has their own personal methodology.

Here's the reverse angle of the shrunk and re-arranged build plate.

The conversion process doesn't just open new opportunities to the models you can use, but it also saves a lot of material.

By shrinking things to 56% of their height, you actually use only 17.5% of the volume in resin, thanks to the square-cube law.

Thus, that giant 28/32mm model that usually takes 1000ml of resin to print, once shrunk to 56% of original size, only takes 175ml to print.  You can print 5 to 1, with resin to spare.

Here's a drum magazine for a 1/56th scale mech.  15.35ml of resin, including all supports.

After shrinking it to 56% of original size, we get 2.7ml of resin.  That's a lot of savings.

So, envy the big stuff folks no longer, 15mm aficionados.  Converting their stuff for your own use is only a few clicks away.

Enjoy!

Best,

John Bear Ross