3D Print Scale Guides
In-depth guides on miniature scale theory, FDM printing tips, and the methodology behind every conversion percentage on STLACCESS. Everything here is based on what I've learned from printing hundreds of tabletop miniatures on my own build plate.
All guides
Arachne vs Classic Wall Generator: Which Is Sharper for Miniatures?
Arachne is supposed to make tighter details than the classic wall generator, but on test miniatures classic often prints fine detail sharper. A practical comparison for 28-32mm FDM prints.
Read guideCura Tree Support Settings: How to Make Supports Easy to Remove
The exact Cura tree (organic) support settings for 3D printing miniatures that come off clean — Z distance, interface layers, branch distance and angle, and painting supports on manually.
Read guideFDM vs Resin 3D Printing for Miniatures: When to Switch
The honest resin vs FDM comparison for tabletop miniatures — detail, support removal, toxicity, speed, and which kinds of models each printer genuinely does better.
Read guideReal-World Objects to 28mm Scale: Feet to MM Conversion for 28mm WWII Platoon Wargames, the Classic Fantasy RPG & Historical
The formula I use to convert real-world heights to true 28mm miniature scale. Charts for humans, monsters, vehicles, and terrain for 28mm WWII platoon wargames, the classic fantasy RPG, and historical wargaming.
Read guideResin2FDM: Convert Resin-Supported STLs to FDM-Ready in Blender
How to take a resin-presupported STL from any sculptor and make it print clean on an FDM printer using the Resin2FDM Blender add-on — split, assign, thicken supports, and slice for cleanup.
Read guideBest Budget 3D Printers for Tabletop Wargaming — FDM Terrrain & Vehicle Guide
Top budget FDM 3D printers for wargaming terrain, vehicles, and scatter. Sovol SV06 ACE, Creality Ender-3 V3 SE, Bambu Lab A1 Mini, and Elegoo Centauri Carbon compared.
Read guideHow to Scale 28mm to 32mm (114.3% Slicer Percentage, Explained)
What percent for 28mm to 32mm? 114.3% with XYZ locked. The math behind the conversion, the exact slicer steps for Chitubox, Lychee, Cura, and PrusaSlicer, and how to verify it on a test print.
Read guideHow to Downscale 32mm to 28mm (87.5% Slicer Percentage, Explained)
Shrink 32mm miniatures down to true 28mm scale with an 87.5% slicer percentage. Fits more minis on a resin plate and mixes classic fantasy RPG proxies into true-scale armies.
Read guideClassic Fantasy RPG Miniature Scale Guide — What Size Are Classic Fantasy RPG Minis?
What scale is the classic fantasy RPG? Medium humanoids are 28mm to the eyes on the 175cm baseline. The full classic fantasy RPG size chart: Tiny, Small, Medium, Large, Huge, Gargantuan with mini heights and base sizes.
Read guide35mm Sci-Fi Mass-Battle Game Scale Guide — What Scale Are Its Miniatures?
Miniatures for the 35mm sci-fi mass-battle game are 35mm scale (1:47), measured to eye level at 35.7mm. Full height about 40mm. Exact slicer percentages to convert its STLs and proxies for space opera armies.
Read guideHow to Measure a Miniature's Scale: Eye Level vs Top of Head Explained
How I measure miniature scale for 3D printing — eye level vs top of head, PARKSIDE digital calipers, and why the 175cm baseline works.
Read guideFDM Miniature Printing: Complete Guide to Layer Height, Nozzles, and Settings
Best FDM settings for tabletop miniatures — nozzles, layer heights, orientation tips, and post-processing for 28mm and 32mm models. Tested on my Bambu Lab A1 Mini.
Read guideReal-World Objects to 32mm Scale: Feet to MM Conversion (The Math Explained)
The formula I use to convert real-world heights to 32mm miniature scale. Charts for humans, horses, monsters, and terrain for the modern sci-fi epic wargame, the classic fantasy RPG, and 28mm WWII platoon wargames.
Read guideUpscaling 3D Prints: How Big Can You Enlarge a 32mm Miniature Before Losing Detail?
How much can you enlarge a 32mm miniature on FDM before losing detail? Layer line visibility, nozzle settings, and slicer tips for clean upscaling on my Bambu Lab A1 Mini.
Read guideHow to Scale Miniatures in Chitubox & Lychee Slicer (Without Messing Up the Base)
Step-by-step guide to scaling STL files in Chitubox and Lychee. Lock aspect ratios, scale without stretching the base, and understand the unit conversion — from my own slicer.
Read guideWhy Miniature Scales Use a 175cm Human Baseline
Most tabletop miniature scales are built around a 175cm (5'9) human. Here is why I chose that number for every STLACCESS scale conversion.
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