3D printed Cat Base progress

Started working on a 3D printed cat base that will be used on a customer commission and offered as a kit here on Patreon. Wanted to print this head in parts so it is easier to offer different options and to paint parts that need it.

Using Zbrush for this sculpt and using cat reference thanks to google. Decided to create this base very similar how I start most of my bases with the upper and lower muzzle in 2 parts.

With the initial design mostly done I was ready to move on to dividing the parts out. I wanted the nose, the eyes and eye lenses to be in their own layers. I plan to print the nose out of resin along with the inner eye and make a mold to vacuum form for the lens.

Printing in parts will allow higher quality prints. It will also allow me to combine resin prints with FDM prints a whole lot faster and more seamless. You can see the eyes and the lenses are in separate layers. The inner eye is slightly smaller than the lens so it fits into the eye. Plan to do a round eye version of the eye to go with the slitted version. The head itself will offer vision out the eye itself and the eye ducts. Since I plan to make the eyes glossy it might fog up unless a fan is installed. To avoid being blind on a hot day the eye ducts will give the wearer another option for air and vision. Will probably do 2 cut outs above the eyes to add fans that blow in and pull hot air out. This will be an option for the ones that would like extra ventilation to avoid the eyes ever fogging up. I love the look of glossy eyes but see how much people struggle keeping them not fogged up.

Added eyelids which can be moved around depending on the final expression wanted. May end up working on magnetic eyelids at a later time which can easily be printed in different sizes.

I did add a stopping point where I want the mesh to start and end. Making it easier for me to glue the mesh as well along where I want the eyes. Will be working on the jaw set tonight to finish this head up and start printing all the parts.

Will be offering this head as a kit in the future. If you are interested be sure to respond back to gauge how many would like one. 

Will continue posting about the progress on this cat.