04/2025 – I was never quite satisfied with the waxy looking Sunlu printed Daniel, but Resione released a new BJD resin that I really wanted to try. I went back to prototyping some more tweaks on my prototype – updated knees, neck, shoulders, and even some rough hands and feet. I took a week off from work and used most of it to print this guy out. Here’s what I wrote about the process:
I printed for 7 of the last 8 days, 10 completed prints total, 32 pieces – 1 whole MSD-sized doll, 2 extra heads, and print tests. I followed the given settings and instructions very closely, including using a kombucha band and space heater to keep my garage and the printer warm. Maybe recklessly, I never emptied the vat or removed/cleaned the built plate between prints.
I had 6 total part failures, annoyingly not until what would have been the last plate. One faceplate and the hands failed, I figured due to insufficient supports. I sliced them separately with more supports, and they failed again, really early that time. I restarted the print without changing anything and they printed just fine that time so I have no idea what they problem was there. Maybe USB issue? The resin does not like being paused. In the past I’ve usually paused an hour or two into long prints to make sure everything was sticking, and every few hours to stir the pigments, but when I paused this resin, supports failed at that point. From the third plate onward I didn’t pause anymore and only had the three parts at the end fail (twice).
I’m kind of exhausted from all the printing but I’m very happy with the results. The support settings do leave big bumps but the results are overall beautiful. It’s hard to capture the difference on camera, but in person the resin does look really crisp and opaque compared to the Sunlu/Siraya/white pigment mix I’d been using previously, and it was really nice not to have to stop and stir the resin constantly. The pieces feel harder and look more like cast resin or Siraya Mecha White. For my usage (mostly printing heads and parts to be compatible with existing BJD bodies/parts) this is definitely the best stuff I’ve used.
I’m finally satisfied with how he turned out. The only thing I miiiight adjust is the calves because the ankles are a bit unsteady, and to finish the hands and feet of course (even though I intend to continue using the Dollshe and Resinsoul hands that fit his shoes). I got him sanded pretty quickly, before I even took and other photos, and he looks and feels just like a casted doll for the most part.
