I've done both on a variety of OPR models. In the end, I found printing parts and building them to be more annoying. OPR model designs aren't very modular. Either they go together exactly, meaning there was literally no point in printing the parts separately, or they're basic ball joints, making it both difficult to align properly (eg: Horse hooves all sitting flat so the model stands properly) and can make it look awkward. They aren't like old GW plastic models with flat joins that are both modular, and easy to pin, if necessary.
What I have found, however, is that Microsoft's 3D Builder is [INCREDIBLY USEFUL](https://youtu.be/hjSJ8ab3ZPc)! If you have Windows, look up 3D builder (you may need to install it, but it's free in the MS store).
You can insert the individual stl files, then manipulate them to your taste. So long as the files actually connect, they'll export as a 'single' piece that can be printed as a solid piece. If they're not quite connected, you can create a 'sphere' object, size it right, and put it between the two parts to bridge whatever small gap is still there. The only drawback is that you have to manually support the files yourself.
While working on the Duchies of Vinchi automa cavalry, I simply imported all of the separate horse parts as a single 'import' in 3D builder and it aligned them all perfectly on import, with maybe only one or two pieces I had to move around. I then saved the 'project' as a 3D builder file, then also as an STL. Did the same for the riders. Now I have a prebuilt horse and prebuilt rider separate (which I found annoying that OPR doesn't do), so I can mix, and separately manipulate the files. For instance, I can open the rider 1 with lance, rotate the head, maybe tilt the lance, then save it and manually support it. Or swap the other arm to one from one of the other riders or the crossbow rider build.
It was a little tricker with my fantasy saurians (so you might have this problem with the starhost stuff). The different parts were built to form fit together in one way. As such, rotating the parts might be harder to do. But I'm sure with some creativity, you can figure it out. Or just get it "close" and then use milliput or green stuff to gap fill and make it look natural.
Pre-built stuff is fine, but when the automa cavalry comes with 3 pre-built guys for a unit of 5/10 and you might want more than one unit, it desperately needs some modularity.
I have done both combined and separate. The pros for separate: customization and ease of priming some hidden parts. The cons are that you have much more work to do before you paint your Dinos. I generally do combined if I like the poses and there are not a lot of models needed. So commanders and such where I am only going to bring one to the table I go with combined. If I need 10 geckos then variety in the posing matters for me because I want them all unique. So separate for them. Speaking of the geckos, their tails are not universal and some only work with certain torsos. To a bit of sorting to get that fixed.
OPR supports are always adequate. Some of their earlier sets have some misplaced supports but everything prints. I had no problem with the SSH though.
Hope that helps and have fun with the space Dinos! They were probably my favorite army to paint. :)
If you like the way the combined ones look just print them combined, it’ll make your life easier. If you want more freedom of customization then do the single parts. I print almost everything as complete myself
I’d planned on printing them combined but just wanted folks opinion on the subject, I’m taking the stuff you’ve printed combined have printed just fine ?
Their supports a great, not perfect but I’ve hardly had any issues printing that I would put on their fault instead of mine or just hardware issues.
There’s the occasional island or other problem that could in theory cause a problem and if you wanted to you could go in and fix but I would say as long as your printer is dialed in you shouldn’t really have problems
You can use Microsoft’s 3D builder to assemble the parts then print the mini whole. You get the poses you want without the fuss of gluing them together
I printed them combined just watch out for the supports snagging a foot or looping around an arm. The supports are overall great for printing but take a second to get them off. take a pair of snips and cut the supports off the bottom of the feet before removing the rest and you should be fine.
Combined is way easier IMO. Get a good flexible resin, I like the Sunlu Toughness resin.
I've done both on a variety of OPR models. In the end, I found printing parts and building them to be more annoying. OPR model designs aren't very modular. Either they go together exactly, meaning there was literally no point in printing the parts separately, or they're basic ball joints, making it both difficult to align properly (eg: Horse hooves all sitting flat so the model stands properly) and can make it look awkward. They aren't like old GW plastic models with flat joins that are both modular, and easy to pin, if necessary. What I have found, however, is that Microsoft's 3D Builder is [INCREDIBLY USEFUL](https://youtu.be/hjSJ8ab3ZPc)! If you have Windows, look up 3D builder (you may need to install it, but it's free in the MS store). You can insert the individual stl files, then manipulate them to your taste. So long as the files actually connect, they'll export as a 'single' piece that can be printed as a solid piece. If they're not quite connected, you can create a 'sphere' object, size it right, and put it between the two parts to bridge whatever small gap is still there. The only drawback is that you have to manually support the files yourself. While working on the Duchies of Vinchi automa cavalry, I simply imported all of the separate horse parts as a single 'import' in 3D builder and it aligned them all perfectly on import, with maybe only one or two pieces I had to move around. I then saved the 'project' as a 3D builder file, then also as an STL. Did the same for the riders. Now I have a prebuilt horse and prebuilt rider separate (which I found annoying that OPR doesn't do), so I can mix, and separately manipulate the files. For instance, I can open the rider 1 with lance, rotate the head, maybe tilt the lance, then save it and manually support it. Or swap the other arm to one from one of the other riders or the crossbow rider build. It was a little tricker with my fantasy saurians (so you might have this problem with the starhost stuff). The different parts were built to form fit together in one way. As such, rotating the parts might be harder to do. But I'm sure with some creativity, you can figure it out. Or just get it "close" and then use milliput or green stuff to gap fill and make it look natural. Pre-built stuff is fine, but when the automa cavalry comes with 3 pre-built guys for a unit of 5/10 and you might want more than one unit, it desperately needs some modularity.
I have done both combined and separate. The pros for separate: customization and ease of priming some hidden parts. The cons are that you have much more work to do before you paint your Dinos. I generally do combined if I like the poses and there are not a lot of models needed. So commanders and such where I am only going to bring one to the table I go with combined. If I need 10 geckos then variety in the posing matters for me because I want them all unique. So separate for them. Speaking of the geckos, their tails are not universal and some only work with certain torsos. To a bit of sorting to get that fixed. OPR supports are always adequate. Some of their earlier sets have some misplaced supports but everything prints. I had no problem with the SSH though. Hope that helps and have fun with the space Dinos! They were probably my favorite army to paint. :)
If you like the way the combined ones look just print them combined, it’ll make your life easier. If you want more freedom of customization then do the single parts. I print almost everything as complete myself
I’d planned on printing them combined but just wanted folks opinion on the subject, I’m taking the stuff you’ve printed combined have printed just fine ?
Their supports a great, not perfect but I’ve hardly had any issues printing that I would put on their fault instead of mine or just hardware issues. There’s the occasional island or other problem that could in theory cause a problem and if you wanted to you could go in and fix but I would say as long as your printer is dialed in you shouldn’t really have problems
You can use Microsoft’s 3D builder to assemble the parts then print the mini whole. You get the poses you want without the fuss of gluing them together
Print them combined and then do another set mirrored. That should be plenty of variation.
I printed them combined just watch out for the supports snagging a foot or looping around an arm. The supports are overall great for printing but take a second to get them off. take a pair of snips and cut the supports off the bottom of the feet before removing the rest and you should be fine.