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Flashpoint Dark Knight is an angry Thomas Wayne with a long rifle wearing a Flashback outfit from the 1960s. Well, that’s what I envisioned when I started this 3D printable diorama from Creative Geek MB (FB Link). The model is an older design from Patreon (link). Some of CGMB’s designs can be found on CGTrader (CGT Link) including this Batman model.
I chose this model because it looked like a fun and easy print. Printing was straightforward. However, I did not realize how big this figure would be. This was my first Chibi-style figure print. Additionally, I made a few custom cuts to print the outfit pieces in specific colors. Keep reading for more details.
Flashpoint Model Breakdown
CGMB’s Dark Knight is a stocky, Chibi-like figure with minimal pieces. Here is a quick breakdown of the included cut and keyed pieces.
- Base – Solid Base; Left Gargoyle; Right Gargoyle.
- Figure – Boots (2); Legs/Waist (1); Belt; Torso; Left Hand; Right Hand with Rifle; Cape; Head
The diorama’s default scale is 10 inches / 260 mm. Batman alone stands 8 inches / 210 mm tall.
NOTE: I used colored plastic to emulate the 1960s TV show costume. Using MeshMixer (link), I made some custom cuts and pegs at the hip joints. Additionally I cut the LONG rifle into two pieces with 1.75mm filament sized peg holes (2) to make printing easier.
Dark Knight Printing Goals
Every printing project is a little different. Often I am using a new machine, material and/or profile. While printing this Flashpoint Dark Knight, I was using my Anycubic Kossel Linear Plus (discontinued), my Original Creality Ender 5, and some profile changes. After watching some YouTube videos, I also tried making my own complex cuts and pegs. Since I printed this figure several months ago, it limited my goals and expectation. Regardless, here they are.
- Complete Print – Success
- Print Model at Provided scale – Successful & Bigger than expected
- Layout parts for minimal sanding and post processing – Great – Except belt (read more below)
- Custom cut and key both thighs at the pelvis – Good – Minimal gap for 1st time
- Share my insights, printer settings and inspire others to push past their current limits – Success?
My print results from my fresh delta printer were incredible. The blue parts have been my Facebook cover image for a couple of months now. I continued to push my Kossel to its limits using stock parts until I took it apart for some maintenance and hot-end upgrades (two more common parts).
Filaments
For this FDM print of Flashpoint Dark Knight Flashback, I used a few different rolls. I wanted to recreate the 1960s Batman suit colors prior to painting. I made the suit with blue, grey and yellow, while the base used silver and marble filaments. Here are some more filament details.
- Blue: SUNLU PLA @ 200° C – Boots, Waist, Hands + Rifle, Cape, Head
- Grey: SUNLU PLA+ @ 215° C – Thighs, Torso
- Marble: SUNLU PLA @ 215° C – Gargoyles
- Yellow: CCTree PLA @ 200° C – Belt
- Silver: Solutech PLA @ 195° C – Base
I have used Sunlu, CCTree and Solutech brand rolls for many projects with excellent results. The yellow does not photograph well, but I still have several rolls in stock. PLA+ in rather hard to find in mid-2020 and was purchased for the color instead of its improved properties. Marble is a splendid color for statues or busts and hides minor defects very well. The blue is a great color, which I can not find in stock. Perhaps inventory levels will normalize by the end of the year.


Dark Night Printing Details
Flashpoint Dark Knight was printed about four months ago. I have gone back into my project files and gcodes to provide some details. My profiles keep growing as I learn new techniques and try different filaments. This project was a huge personal success.
- Silver – Base – Layers 0.12 mm @ 60 mm/s – Tilted 45°
- Marble – Gargoyles – 0.12 mm @ 30 mm/s – Ender5
- Blue 1 – Head; Boots; Waist – 0.12 mm @ 30 mm/s – Kossel.
- Blue 2 – Cape; Right Hand; Long Rifle – 0.12 mm @ 30 mm/s – Kossel.
- Grey – Torso; Legs – 0.12 mm @ 30 mm/s – Kossel.
- Yellow – Belt – 0.12 mm @ 30 mm/s – Ender5 – Tilted 45°
HOLY SLOW PRINT SPEED BATMAN!!!
Apparently the secret this project’s success was the very slow print speed. Prior to this print, I was trying to print much faster with mixed quality results. Having the Kossel as a second printer allowed me to print this project at that speed, while still having my Ender5 available for other uses. All the parts were sliced in Cura using standard and custom supports (via an add-on). My current profiles are more refined and typically run at 44 mm/s at various layer heights.
Flashpoint Flashback Quality and Cuts
Creative Geek MB’s Dark Knight Chibi Fanart is a basic yet highly detailed model. The costume is textured. Batman’s gauntlet have those cool hooks on them. I can find seams and fabric folds around the entire outfit. Batman’s angry teeth-clenched-scowl if visible with an FDM print. The artistic combination of a classic batman suit, chibi-style scale, detailed base and an angry Thomas Wayne are spot on! Whether you paint Batman with modern greys or colorful blues, he will look great on display.
Assembling the Flashpoint figure was relatively easy, with complex cuts and large keys. However, both pegs on the belt required significant sanding to get a proper flush fit. Clearance of those keys appears to be the same as the rest of the body. The complex shape of the belt’s pouches did not seem to allow for an easy fit to the waist and chest. Regardless, the figure is still simple to assemble. If you are not willing to do a little sanding of your figures, you should probably buy complete and expensive statues instead.
Dark Knight 3D Printed Eye Candy
Here is two slideshows of my slicer layouts, previews, WIP images and the completed model. Enjoy!
More Models
Creative Geek 3D has had a Patreon and other purchasing options for a while now. I can find additional artwork on Instagram (link) and ArtStation (link). The style and complexity of the models has changed over the last few years. Most of the new designs include multiple cut options to suit different sized FDM printers and Resin printers. Here are just a few samples of the 3D printable models available.
Hopefully, you have enjoyed another model review and this introduction to a newer 3D artist. While you are still here why not check out this article about the Thinker S Printer which featured the Forest Dragon from Creative Geek 3D. (INOV3D Link).
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