Just thought of another one. Cosplay and costume/prop making! That is another hobby that is really beginning to grow.
mwha, the only parts that I know off where they seem to like using 3D printed parts is when they need to make complex custom mechanical bits in (semi)progessional props/costumes. For everything else they seem to favor just using papier maché or tape together some pvc pipes or something. Also, one of the big drawbacks here would be that consumer printers would be relativly small, while the bits that you'd want to print tend to be relativly big. Most of the homeprinters I've seen would for example not be large enough to print a full facemask or helmet which would be one of the more obvious things to print for something like costumes. So you'd need to print in a lot of smaller parts and then put them together, creating weakpoints and requiring a decent amount of mechanical skill, especially if you have to also design it yourself. In contrast buidling something out of cardboard, papier mache and some home depot stuff seems easier for a novice at least. Imho unless you are already experienced with something like CAD, or are super into cosplay and want to bring it to the next level, I would say it's probably too much effort. That is assuming there aren't 100's of readymade patterns already available with clear instructions on how to put em together of course . Though given that cosplay tends to also be about expressing your own creativity using readmade patterns seems a bit counterproductive.
I think you're thinking of very simplistic cosplay. You keep thinking about this topic from a present day standpoint. I suspect that once it becomes more established in the future, home printers will be large enough to print of most medium sized objects (i.e. not furniture-sized). Today, it is still a technology that is in its infancy.
Might be, no idea what's supposed to be the "average" level for this nowadays. PLus, I've seen some fairly impressive stuff made with fairly basic techniques.
I suppose it does help you catch up to @Warden in terms of posts... in an aimless sort of way. Why not put your focus into something better.... http://www.lustria-online.com/threads/poll-pick-2-the-best-of-the-chaos-gods.23808/
I'm game! I just didn't know that was in line with Lustria Online forum rules. Now it is mod approved!!!!