by JohnMion, publishedNov 22, 2017                        

This is Zarya from Overwatch. The model is extracted from Heroes of the Storm and modified for easier 3D printing.

As opposed to other versions I've seen, this one prints with the weapon separate to the main model.

This is not a beginners model - it requires supports and the weapon takes quite some time to clean up after print.

Print Settings

Printer Brand:          

FlashForge

Printer:          

Finder

Rafts:          

Yes

Supports:          

Yes

Resolution:          

1.8

Infill:          

15%

Notes:

This model needs supports. Zarya herself is easy to clean up after printing. The weapon takes quite some time.

Post-Printing

Since the model uses a lot of supports it requires quite a bit of tidying to get it finished post-printing. I used a pair of small, pointed pliers and a model knife to get all the supports away.

For easier printing, the handle for the weapon is printed separate to the weapon and requires attaching using cyanoacrylate glue. (See one of the close-up pictures of the weapon for placement.) If you want to attach the weapon to Zarya, this should also be glued on.

Once the model is assembled it should easily fit onto the figurine base. The base is necessary for the model not to fall. It's a big gun after all...

How I Designed This

The original model was extracted from Heroes of the Storm. I downloaded it from this excellent repository:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B5j1iQ1NUCTcak1KRU8zWFZpQjQ

I imported the model into Blender where I modified the pose, her facial expression and the tilt of her head. I also extracted her weapon into a separate file.

Then I imported the model into MeshMixer where I rescaled the model and then remeshed all cloth and skin surfaces one by one. This smoothed out the surfaces and made them less "polygony". I kept the amor pieces and a few contrasting pieces in the original mesh to create a contrast effect to make them more emphasised.

I then went through the entire model in TinkerCad where I fixed all the holes and missing parts that I could find (or not find...). Zarya herself came out with very minor modifications to make sure that her armour and body parts actually stuck to her for printing. The weapon was more significantly modified to make it printable and more stable, including removing the front handle from the body of the weapon.

Most noticeable I've introduced a number of horisontal supports through the top of the weapon to make sure that it would print properly and remain stable. My first version lacked these and two of the weapon "shields" broke during printing and they were also flexing a lot when you touched them.

The result is pretty true to the original but significantly more robust.