Design of the Week: Spring Peepers

This week’s selection is the Spring Peeper by artist Lincoln Savi.

Savi is a 3D modeler with a most unusual business: He produces highly detailed 3D models of wild creatures, and offers them for sale on his site.

The Windsor, Canada-based operation currently lists 14 different animal models, including birds, fish, salamanders and, of course, six different frogs. To give you an idea of how precise these models are, they each carry the scientific name in addition to the common name. For example, the Spring Peeper’s scientific name is “Pseudacris Crucifer”. Now you know!

Savi began producing the highly detailed 3D models after an accidental experiment with 3D printing. He explains:

“In 2017, Lincoln bought his first 3D printer on a whim. After tinkering with the machine for a few months and learning its abilities and limitations, he decided to combine his love for animals with this new technology and he attempted to create a realistic Yellow Toad model.”

Evidently the 3D model was good enough to warrant setting up an entire business producing this type of model.

SaviMade sells the 3D models online, but also can 3D print them on site, followed by highly detailed painting, which is done by hand. As you can see in these images, the results are quite amazing. It seems painted models are a popular option, as Savi is currently seeking to hire artists to perform model painting.

Why did I select the Spring Peeper as our Design of the Week instead of any of the other outstanding 3D models in the Savi collection? It was because of this modified version of the Spring Peeper that brings the model to life:

These #3Dprinted spring peepers are certainly one of the most animated models I've made so far (I added the sounds in post). Silicone throats were made by the Taylor-Hunter Lab at Salisbury University. #frog pic.twitter.com/qV4WVAqUZs

— Lincoln Savi (@MisterSavi) April 15, 2021

This particular modification is not yet for sale on SaviMade, but I am pretty sure it will be popular.

The 3D printable models available at SaviMade are quite reasonably priced, usually at $14 each for the download. Once purchased, you can 3D print them as many times as you like.

If you like frogs, fish, birds, or even salamanders, Savi Made is definitely the place to find the most detailed 3D models for printing.

Via SaviMade (Hat tip to Heather)