New to figures?

[Steve Ski]

Any tips on how we can know?

I've purchased a few files from cults3D or CG trader (guessing more reliable than evilbay), but even there, how do you know?

It's not always easy, Edbert, but Ebay is a caution flag if shipping from China. At Planetfigure most of the sculptors are well known, but if you don't frequent that site that means nothing. Good indications would be photos showing a lot of slag and not matching the actual sale item from official websites and the prices being significantly lower than the official release price. Price and quality are the key indicators imo, then location.

I have no clue how the 3D programs work, that's out of my realm of understanding, who owns what, etc.

 

[Edbert]

I have no clue how the 3D programs work

Same here, I see some decent stuff for free, like the 1/48 WWI turnbuckles I recently printed, pic below.

Some really good files are $10-25 too, yet some superb ones can be well over $150 even up to $400, but that is rare for sure. $200 seems to be a ceiling in general and those are often complex and awesome. Here's a good example, buy this file once for $150 and print seats forever that would cost you $20 each from a reputable company like Reskit.

https://www.cgtrader.com/3d-models/aircraft/military-aircraft/martin-baker-mk10-ejection-seat

These were free and can be scaled up or down as needed.

I bought several figures as files online, one I posted above of the German in winter uniform was $15 for the file and would have cost at least twice that in printed form. I also subscribed to this guy's Patreon to get a free file each month....https://www.myminifactory.com/users/3Dimontis

Here's one example of the monthly file that contained several figures.

 

[the Baron]

Any tips on how we can know?...

A red flag is a maker or seller based in Red China. Another is Russia or other Eastern European countries. Also SE Asia. On any platform.
This is not 100%, of course, and I expect replies from some of you such as "So-and-so is in the PRC and he produces only his original work". And there are plenty of pirates in Western Europe and the US. It's a generalization, but that means that it is generally true. Country of origin is definitely one thing to look for.

You'll learn as you go. If you shop on the trading sites based in Asia, you'll likely see more pirate work, too, though there is plenty of such product on eBay, too.

Look for sales or auction post that use the artwork from a known commercial producer. Is the item a resale of a Mitch's Models figure, for example? Or is it a sale that does not reference the maker at all, but uses the original box art?

Is the piece in resin but you have seen the original in white metal? Or vice versa-white metal copy of a piece you know was originally sold in resin? (That does happen. I have seen Russian white metal copies of resin kits on eBay.)

And despite what some people, especially sculptors and other commercial producers may say, poor quality is NOT a sign of a pirated piece. That may have been true 50, 60 years ago, when figures were in white metal, and to copy them, you had to make a mold and cast in white metal. Today's pirate copies are as good as the original. I have seen them.

Really the only way to know is to see a lot of original pieces, and to ask questions as you have done. Piracy is a big deal, and there are other cultures where our concept of intellectual property is not as much of a value as it is here in the West (where there are enough people who disregard it).

Hope that helps you!

Best regards.
Brad

 

[Steve Ski]

A red flag is a maker or seller based in Red China. Another is Russia or other Eastern European countries. Also SE Asia. On any platform.
This is not 100%, of course, and I expect replies from some of you such as "So-and-so is in the PRC and he produces only his original work". And there are plenty of pirates in Western Europe and the US. It's a generalization, but that means that it is generally true. Country of origin is definitely one thing to look for.

You'll learn as you go. If you shop on the trading sites based in Asia, you'll likely see more pirate work, too, though there is plenty of such product on eBay, too.

Look for sales or auction post that use the artwork from a known commercial producer. Is the item a resale of a Mitch's Models figure, for example? Or is it a sale that does not reference the maker at all, but uses the original box art?

Is the piece in resin but you have seen the original in white metal? Or vice versa-white metal copy of a piece you know was originally sold in resin? (That does happen. I have seen Russian white metal copies of resin kits on eBay.)

And despite what some people, especially sculptors and other commercial producers may say, poor quality is NOT a sign of a pirated piece. That may have been true 50, 60 years ago, when figures were in white metal, and to copy them, you had to make a mold and cast in white metal. Today's pirate copies are as good as the original. I have seen them.

Really the only way to know is to see a lot of original pieces, and to ask questions as you have done. Piracy is a big deal, and there are other cultures where our concept of intellectual property is not as much of a value as it is here in the West (where there are enough people who disregard it).

Hope that helps you!

Best regards.
Brad

Excellent tips, Brad. But let's not beat a dead horse, poor quality most certainly "CAN" be a sign of pirating, even if you've seen incredibly good remakes. Price is also another serious red flag, don't forget that. The point being, buyer beware. Yes, I've seen plenty of poor recasts, they abound as well, as they are just as numerous as legit vendors selling crappy resin castings, Jeff Shiu's last few years of production being one of them, unfortunately.

 

[the Baron]

...poor quality most certainly "CAN" be a sign of pirating,...

True. I didn't say it wasn't, just that many say that it is, but it's not a consistent or reliable indication. Many pirated pieces are flawless.