For a few years now I have been wanting to make a mortuary hilt sword very similar to a couple museum pieces. However, I want to change the subject of the imagery from King Charles and the English civil war to a very different subject matter. I keep contacting artists but find that they don't have the skill set required or they never get around to my commission. Do any of you reading this know of an artist who could and might redraw a mortuary hilt in a 3d format .iges, obj, etc? Or perhaps even just know where one would go to look for such a person?

Computer-game programmers can render just about anything in 3-D, from what I've seen. You might check around a few University campuses. Just a thought. :) .....McM

Hi Gordon,

You could try looking for 3D artists here offhand:

https://sketchfab.com/
http://www.deviantart.com/

Hi Gordon

It sounds as if you've got what you needed, but in case you (or anyone else) ever decide to try doing the 3d modelling yourself (out of frustration or just interest) there is a very good, powerful and free(open-source) 3d program called blender which will export models into several 3d formats (stl, obj and others). It was not intended as a CAD program, but I have used it as such. There is a bit of a learning curve to using it, but I could get going after spending time on a few tutorials that I found online and a bit of experimentation.

There is also a quite decent free parametric design CAD program called (appropriately enough) FreeCAD. It is still under development, but is perfectly usable as it stands.

If I were making a geometrically complex hilt with relief sculpture on it (eg a mortuary hilt) which I was going to have 3d printed then cast, I'd probably use blender. If I were doing something simpler which was going to be CNC-machined or bent, I'd use FreeCAD. Either way, anyone attempting to make a complex 3d model themselves should be willing to invest quite a bit of time into it - there is a reason why the artists charge what they do.

Andrew,

Thanks. I draw blades and hilts without humans or creatures or such just fine in Rhino. When I try to draw even simple things free hand my hands shake like a Don Knotts character in an H. P. Lovecraft movie. I sure wish I could draw non parametric things since I have the time and enjoy spending countless hours drawing the things I can in Rhino.

Gordon