I am trying to find the point of your first sentence, but I can not. Are you seriously claiming something like "people shouldn't use 3D printers unless they've already made paper-mache models?" Gating access based on old-school criteria is anathema to the new internet age, really missing the point on several levels.
> Are you seriously claiming something like "people shouldn't use 3D printers unless they've already made paper-mache models?"
nope.
i said "it's funny" how 3d printing and making 'scrappy' things often involve non-overlapping sets of people. i never said "should", though i would encourage both sides put the other sides's tools in their toolbox. that tone probably leaked out. eit.
ultimately though, i think it's funny they are two different markets is all. the goals are so similar! my team has literally brainstormed 'killer uses' for desktop 3d printing and then laughed: wait, you build that with <blah>.
(sculpture) artists are a good overlap in that they're often comfortable and creative process-wise when making sculptures. they're the only group i've talked to who get excited over both cornstarch, chicken wire and paper bags AND 3d printing. i have this optimism that they could really use a cheap desktop printer and do great things with it.
i don't know if that truly is a large or demanding market, but it's a thought. for now i'm just working on the printer for fun.
parts cost $70. medium is still the trickiest part.
