The handcrafted quality, 3D technology, and the future of BJD

Intrestingly those companies that use 3D imaging to create their dolls are among the most popular. Soom and certainly Iplehouse's huge rise in popularity coincide with when they probably started using CAD. I'm curious to see why people think this is? It's an intresting point of discussion.

 

It does help that their production has gone up considerably. I don't know if this is because they use 3D imaging, but Iplehouse, Soom and Fairyland all seem to be releasing another doll every other day. The more you produce, more people will find a doll that's exactly what they were searching for and with that you'll also get a lot of free advertisement.

 

And you can't even say the dolls of these companies are even very similar. I even can't say I prefer 3D to the traditional way.

Sure I love Iplehouse...but often have my issues with Soom. Soom dolls are fascinating, but in the past there have been only 1 or 2 I would really have loved to have.

And I do not love Fairyland faces too much. Each company has their very own, typical style.

What I think about Iplehouse and Fairyland: Their bodys seem to be much more...technical. I mean, with really interesting joint solutions. If these work always the best is a whole other thing. May that be due to the added exactness you can achieve with 3D? Or has that nothing to do with it?

 

I think it's more about the ability to create well designed dolls that have wide appeal than whether or not they use 3D imaging or sculpt the old fashioned way. All the cool new technology in the world won't help a company much if they can't come up with a good design. Soom seemed to get really popular when they went to larger more realistic sculpts (and all the nifty fantasy bits didn't hurtm either). I think they found themselves a niche with in the hobby where there was a number of hobbyists ready and willing to buy that kind of doll. Likewise, Iplehouse is known for doing more ethnically specific sculpts and like Soom runs to the more realistic end of the spectrum -- they fill a specific need within the hobby that other companies don't necessarily do. Ironically, though I can appreciate them, those aren't the dolls that really appeal to me. However, the lack of appeal to myself again comes from style rather than the technology used to create them. I happen to prefer more heavily stylized dolls.

 

Do we actually have any confirmation that these companies do use rapid prototyping? I know people always say Iplehouse does and while I certainly wouldn't be surprised do we actually know for sure? Their YID process pics looks like they could be made by hand, but they could also be just part of their process. Fairyland seems even more likely to me, but again, do we actually have any proof?

And Ipledreamer, I understand the more technical feel. I think a lot of this probably just has to do with the fact that someone modeling on the computer is probably going to be a more technical person to begin with, so the style will follow suit. You are also rather forced into being technical when working in 3D. From experience, I'd say 3D definitely helps with the exactness when it comes to jointing, and there are many benefits to that, but not being able to physically move things around makes it much harder to make things that feel right, and can lead to joints that may not be the most natural looking. You can move things around in 3D, and there are ways to judge physics (which is mostly beyond my knowledge - I just guess based on what I know) but you have to try to visualize exactly how everything will move and guess the tension - it can certainly make your head spin at times. So, while you can make sure the physical shape of the part is perfect, the joint may still not end up working that well in real life.

Also, with both mediums, you generally model the body then cut the joints. But, with clay, you will probably be modifying the whole area around each joint to get everything to fit and work together (not to mention cutting is much less an exact process), and you might end up with something pretty different than your original sculpt as you test and modify. With 3D, you general just mess with the joint itself and do very little modification to the area around it, unless the shapes just won't work. I feel this can easily lead to dolls that don't move as fluidly and look sort of segmented while posing. This is just my speculation based on my experience, so take what I say with a grain of salt.

 

Im a 3d artist, and would be ecstatic to make my own sculpts with a 3d printer.

 

I by no means am trying to put down 3D modeling (I've tried it and know that it is not easy) however there's something about handmade things that I really love. It reminds me of simpler days when everything was made by hand and people took pride in their work and put a lot of time/commitment into making something.
if I had to choose between something handmade and something that was machine made I would almost always choose the handmade item.

I don't feel that limiting dolls to only hand sculpted artist dolls will hinder the future of ABJD, and I love seeing progress photos and think that they can definately advance this hobby as they show people how the doll was made, step by step.
The open revelation of how companies produce their dolls would most certainly influence the way I buy dolls, that would be just one more thing for me to look at before buying as I would much rather buy a handmade doll.
To me it does matter but I know that to others it doesn't, as stated above I prefer handcrafted things, however whether it's handcrafted or not the design should be original.
I think that 3D creations should be held on a different level than handcrafted dolls, they're completely different and should not be thought of as the same.

 

The way you describe this, it sounds like you're under the impression that the computer does the work for you, and human hands are not involved.

How I wish this was true! Unfortunately, it is not.

Further, if you think digital work does not involve an immensity of time and commitment, you would be further grossly mistaken.

If you wonder why people don't always appear to take as much 'pride' in digital work as they might in traditional media, you need only look to the assumptions that it takes less time, less commitment, or somehow suggests a lack of care for the resulting product (which is a reasonable interpretation of 'lack of pride' also) and an implication that digital work by default must be suspect as potentially 'not original' (which is just nasty as well as foolish to assume, particularly as recasting without digital intervention is an easier and cheaper process) for oft-cited reasons people don't discuss the intimate details of their methodology.

(Also, Firefly has some butt-kicking progress photos of her work. She is seriously an inspiration.)

Just to make the 'relevance of human hands' issue all the more clear:



There you go. My icon is a digital image. The left shows the model that was later resculpted and textured, in this case, to get the result you see on the right. Software does not do that for you. And that is starting off with an existing model -- not creating one from scratch, which is necessary when creating a doll. The difference 'human hands' make in those two images is rather clear, I should think.

 

I don't think you should seperated hand-sculpted BJD and computer 3D technique. I once saw my professor who is majoring in industrial design and he used a pen to draw directly on the computer pad. It wasn't just like doodling on the ipad. He used various techniques on the pad while he was drawing with his hands. I would love to see a 3D technology on BJD market. It's been 5 years since this thread I hope that come up with that one soon. But the problem is, BJD market simply isn't big enough for such expensive equipment. It would be a great way to customize BJD while looking on the 3D screen.

 

I didn't mean for it to sound that way at all, I used to do digital art a lot and I know that it takes just as much time and effort as handcarfted art. I have nothing against it and actually really like it but I just prefer traditional/handcrafted dolls/art.

 

To me, this is similar to issues raised about Traditional vs Digital art, and Cel vs 3D animation... and way back before digital, whether airbushed stuff is art.

As others have said, it's just another tool for artists to use. And whether you like it depends on taste. We are all used to digital art and 3D animation now, so it's accepted, but there was a HUGE bias against it in the beginning (and still some with some people).

You still need to use skills and aesthetic senses when creating things using all kinds of media.

Do you feel that by limiting dolls to only hand sculpted artist dolls that the future of ABJD is also being hindered? Or, will the posting of progress photos and further development of artists talents lead to the advancement of the hobby?
I think that some people or groups can limit their focus to hand-sculpted dolls or not, as they please. But if processes will make it easier to make sculptures become cheaper with 3D work, then many people/companies will go that route and I'm sure there will be buyers who follow. And the lines will blurr. Say, a hand-sculpted doll may go through a 3D process so molds can be made... or the doll can be produced and cast... so would that be OK to people or not? Or what if an artist finds they can finish up or change a sculpted work in 3D after hand-sculpting? Would that be acceptable or not?

I think if the 3D process becomes cheaper and easier and can work well in the doll-making process, it will be used. That's just life.

There are people who only accept oil paintings, but not acrylic. Or people who only accept engraved prints, but not modern lithography. But if we stopped new media and technology, we would still be using ground minerals painted on cave walls!

Will the open revelation of how a company produces their sculpts influence the way you buy dolls?
Open revelation is always good. And I buy the finished product--if I like it, that's what matters. Of course, I am not talking about re-casts! That's wrong (ethically--it is stealing, and legally, re-casts are not allowed to be shipped into the US). I'm saying that if an artist has used some 3D at some point in the making of the doll, then it probably won't worry me. AND that open revelation is important, but sometimes trust in the ethics of an artist and company is possible.

Is this due to the more intimate feeling of seeing the creation of a sculpt, or the knowledge of it's origins?
Depends on the person. I don't see a difference between hand-sculpting and digitally sculpting... as long as it's an original creation of the artist.

Should it matter if it was a 3D image or handcrafted so long as the design is original?
Heh. See above! Doesn't matter to me!

And finally, should 3D creations be held on a different level than handcrafted ones?
Depends on individual. To me... I like both cel animation and 3D. They are different looks and appeal in different ways.

I am an artist and I work in "traditional" mediums AND I've worked digitally and in 3D... I STILL need to do the art, no matter if I'm drawing and painting with pencils and oils or if I'm using the computer! It's still a heck of a lot of work! And my style is very similar in all mediums... So, the biggest difference is that I don't have an actual "original" piece at the end, but all the work is 'original' as far as it's created by me.

 

I think one of the most exciting aspects of the 3D prototyping concept as an artist was realised recently when I discovered there are smaller home use machines now available at around $1000 AU. It helps having a hubby who's a joint high school computers co-ordinator and Technologies VET subject Co-ordinator as well as resident tech head who would love to get hold of one so we can both play around with it.
I think these smaller machines will really open up the possibilities for anyone wanting to try their hand at producing their own BJDs...or in my case prototyping tiny miniature doll size cameo and filigree buttons and other detailed doll clothing details and accessories.

 

Agreed! I'm planning on producing my own dolls, but making molds is a pain... And not exactly environmently friendly either, as worn-out silicone can't be re-used (well, maybe for stuffing things or to make the "walls" of your next mold thicker). So as soon as they're afforable for me, I'm probably going to get myself a 3D scanner and a 3D printer. I still want to make things by hand, but it would be awesome to be able to scan and reproduce them like that.

 

3D printing amazes me, I'm still pretty sure it's straight-up magic.

I couldn't care less if a company did one or the other. Either way takes TONS of practice, skill, time and consideration. Both are works of art.

 

I feel they should specifically say "hand sculpted" or "machine sculpted" doll. I also feel the type of "creation" should be reflected in the price and one would think that from the bjd's most on this forum (including myself) would have, compared to say Marina Bychkova's dolls, it appears to be reflected in the price. Copying has gone on since day dot, some in particular have a gift for it. I've lived in some countries who make these dolls prior to even knowing about them and I know they truly are gifted artisans at copying anything and everything. I have a Heloise (France) Paloma #1 resin doll and she is absolutely exquisite so I do know that there is a very big difference in price between a copy and the original item. Technology can create things that are identical our hands simply can't. Having said that I love both and I do appreciate that there is a certain gift to anything created technically also, in my view it just doesnt hold the same value thats all. What I would like to see is the doll manufacturers insisting on a doll register every time a doll goes out the door and every time it is sold the new owner must reregister the doll with them with the approval of both seller and buyer. Am I dreaming? Perhaps so but at least it would create some accountability and ownership of each and every doll.

I wrote this post without reading anyone elses comments so now I'll go and read them to see what others say about this also.

Ok read the posts now and kudos to firefly5003 the work you are doing is amazingly beautiful, thanks for sharing. Really appreciate everyones comments on this.

 

Ooooo....anyone seen the new range of smartphone apps that can be used to turn your phone into a 3D scanner? See http://www.smh.com.au/it-pro/busine...much-more-than-1000-words-20121219-2bm9j.html
Hence, sculpt, then scan with phone, refine 3D design from scan using appropriate software (and cut out a whole lot of wasted time, money and mess junk casting) and print...then send prototype to your designated casting service or DIY. LOVE IT!

 

Most people on this thread seem to have very similar beliefs.
I believe that 3D imaging is also a complicated art form, but hand-crafting and computer-crafting always have been and always will be two completely different things. Now, how you want to distinguish them varies by the individual.
Non-computer related things always have had (and hopefully will have, though if everyone has the views above, the ancestors'll be turning in their graves) a more mystical, natural air about them. I can feel the work put into something hand-crafted, but I can't feel it in something computer-produced. Since it's so flawless, I have to think about the process on the computer...
A big part of art for lots of people I know (except for the ones who want everything perfect) is the flaws.

I understand that general views do change, but it is sad when such a deep concept dies.
But, considering some buyers don't generally know which company is doing what...
The actual value, per se of the doll is in the buyers eyes, though.

 

Oakie, I can understand your sentiments entirely, especially as my own educational, theoretical and personal background is all about applied arts and and a love and admiration for crafts tradition the hand made. However, for many the 3D scan and print option does not diminish the importance of the handcrafted but simply adds to it. Sure, it is now possible to completely create a sculpt in digital form but I have also seen signs that several artists are simply using 3D scanning of base sculpts, digital manipulation to "perfect" their work for potentially better casting results and then printing their resulting prototypes in the end, ready for casting...saving on the laborious and expensive waste (and not to mention toxic and environmentally unfriendly waste it is too) of silicone and polyurethane that is otherwise junk casting to test and later to better perfect a design for casting. It can be seen as a wonderfully useful tool as an extension of the hand-made rather than taking anything away from it.

 

I was just watching some videos on Youtube about 3D printing and it occurred to me that eventually, BJD dolls could be made very quickly with that technology. What do you all think about 3D printing; and how do you think it will affect BJD doll production, doll prices and the hobby overall?

 

There are already some BJDs being made via 3D printing. In the photos I've seen, the material looks very rough and grainy. I don't know how well it would hold up to being sanded or carved. Resin is great because of how sturdy it is and how much detail it can capture. I'd like to see a 3D printed doll, just out of curiosity. But I certainly hope established BJD companies will continue to use resin. I can see how new up and coming BJD artists might be tempted to go the 3D route because of cost, so I'm not sure how this will affect the future of BJD collecting.

 

Danny Choo is working on a BJD prototype of his mascot, Mirai, using a 3D printer. He details the process here:

http://www.dannychoo.com/post/en/26835/Rapid+Prototyping+and+You.html

 

I suspect it maybe play a role in the process of doll sculpting. Maybe mold-making. But if the dolls are still to be made of resin (and they probably will unless some other material is developed that would be better), then they will still need to be cast.

 

3D printing is only a small part of the process. The dolls still have to be created with a computer program and modelling is a progress just like sculpting with clay. There isn't a button that helps you make fantastic dolls.
What's more, because you can't really see how joints function inside a computer, the maker will have to take quite a lot of time after printing to tweek the joints. Not to mention that the prints don't come out perfect and require a lot of sanding.

It isn't faster than using clay and I don't think it will ever replace the analog approach. I do believe it might become another way to sculpt dolls, though; just like you have painting on canvas and painting using Photoshop.

 

Some dolls are being designed digitally now, and I think they would be 3D printed, or at least the prototypes would, to see how the joints fit and function in the real world outside of the computer. For a doll to be on-topic here at least, they need to be made out of resin, so a doll designed on a computer and 3D printed would be welcome as long as it was cast into resin. The 3D printed prototype would be just like any off-topic doll and could only be shown alongside an on-topic doll.

I think designing a doll on a computer uses a different set of skills from traditional sculpting by hand. I don't think it will overtake traditional sculpting methods because it takes hours to get a computer design right the same way sculpting in clay takes time. Plus, if you need to revise your digital design you'll need to go back into the program and print a new protoype, whereas working in clay you can just tweak it until you have what you want, and you don't have to have several 'junk prototypes' hanging out with you as you work (or that could be fun! Who knows?)

It doesn't look like a cheap option either :s Danny Choo's doll cost 100,000¥ (about £720 or $1090) to print, although it seems his doll was directly printed into resin. Shapeways do 3D printing in a lot of different materials, but none of them appear to be resin.

 

If I recall correctly Sweet Dolls Allison and now Alice's prototypes were 3D printed to check how they'd come along and it helped that when the final product was created it was that much more well...Perfect.

 

Just saw this, about a company that 3D prints heads to order and puts them on bodies (not resin or elastic-jointed).

http://www.lostateminor.com/2013/03...8ebed629&utm_source=newsletter&utm_term=Makie

 

This sounds like the old "photoshop vs traditional art" debate. As everyone has said, it isn't the tool -- it's the user.
It would be cool to see a sculpting process from companies, and I understand their frustration. Maybe more people would buy into them, too.
But 3D printing takes a lot of work. I recently watched a video of some guy making his own BJD, and it was rough. A ton of work went into that.
So whether or not companies go 3D, a lot of work will still go into the dolls, and we'll still just have to be very careful about avoiding copies as best we can.

 

That's exactly it--people unfamiliar with computer art techniques not understanding that it takes just as much work to create good artwork with software as it does with traditional media. The internet has thousands of examples of horribly bad attempts at human head modeling to back this up.

 

This article popped up in my Facebook inbox today from a friend:

http://www.messynessychic.com/2013/05/17/human-doll-cloning-is-so-hot-right-now-in-japan/

They show realistic heads that have been 3D printed on BJD bodies. Apparently, this is becoming popular in Japan right now. The MiniMe has taken on a whole new level!

Would you do this of yourself or someone else?

I'm not sure I could do this of myself. These are just a little too realistic and they make me uncomfortable for some reason.

(and hey mods, would these be OT? Just curious)

 

I'mma guess so, unless they've come up with a 3D printer that prints in resin.

 

Holy crap, those are all kinds of amazing! Don't think I like my own face enough to own an expensive replica of it though, haha, but you could certainly get your stalker on if you wanted celebrity clones...but I would think about getting a little funny statue of myself or relatives!

 

Does anyone have plans to purchase the Mirai Smartdoll? I have such high hopes for her!

 

Do you feel that by limiting dolls to only hand sculpted artist dolls that the future of ABJD is also being hindered?
I am not of the opinion that dolls should be limited to hand-sculpted only, but no. I don't think keeping the hobby 'hand-sculpted only' would hinder it. If it was a problem, it likely would have presented itself by now.

Or, will the posting of progress photos and further development of artists talents lead to the advancement of the hobby?
I think people would be very interested in seeing the progress of companies on their upcoming dolls. I believe a small company, DearMine maybe, does this and people seem to enjoy getting 'teasers' of dolls that are in the process of being sculpted. I don't necessarily think this will advance the hobby itself in any way.

Will the open revelation of how a company produces their sculpts influence the way you buy dolls?
Not likely. I choose my dolls for their aesthetic and I buy based on what I can afford and what aesthetic I want more immediately. The process in which those dolls are made would be interesting to behold, but would not likely affect my buying choices.

Should it matter if it was a 3D image or handcrafted so long as the design is original?
No, and I don't think it would. There are 3D printed BJDs out there and they seem to do okay for themselves. As many others have pointed out, 3D printing is not a simple process. It comes with its own challenges and should be treated as an art form just like hand-sculpting.

And finally, should 3D creations be held on a different level than handcrafted ones?
To say one is inferior to the other seems silly. Again, both come with their own trials and tirbulations. I think it is important we understand the fundamental differences between the two. You may develop a taste for one over the other, but that is going to be purely personal opinion. Asking the community to take a stance of 'one over the other' seems like it's going too far. I think it is best to simply accept the differences between the mediums, accept that they are both legitimate ways of going about making dolls, and do things your own way.

 

I'm not going to answer the questions as that would simply be repeating what other people have said. 3D printing - another form of art, yada yada yada. Should definitely not be treated any differently and such.

One thing I'd like to add is, other than having its own set of difficulties and mishaps, it is so much easier to create a new face! Like people have already mentioned, Danny Choo's Mirai doll ("Smart Doll") is sculpted in a program, that he designed, that allows him to tweak parts of the face using just numbers. So, if one wanted to make a chubby doll, he'd just adjust the value for the 'cheeks' How easy is that to come up with a new doll for a company? It's so amazing!

However, I would like to point out that personally, I do not see Smart Doll going anywhere beyond the BJD hobby. Danny Choo is an awesome dude, and he's extremely hard-working, but to have him envision 'Smart Doll' for 'everyone' is kinda silly. She is designed to look like an anime girl. How many people dislike anime or stray away from it/think of it as childish? A LOT! Having at least a normal looking doll (By that I mean non-animesque) would increase the chances of other people that are not originally part of the hobby being interested in it, as the project itself does have a bright idea behind it! If you don't know about it, look it up, it's really good!

The future might come and bite me in the ass later on if it works out in the end lol, but to me, I don't really see that happening.

 

I haven't heard anything from the mods, but are Smart Dolls gonna be on-topic here or off-topic?

 

Smart dolls' bodies are made from thin soft vinyl over a rigid Polyoxymethylene "skeleton", plus the automatic version would be even further impossible to string with elastic, so based on that alone they'd already be off-topic. It's easy to see how things like that are inspired by BJDs, and personally I think it's a terrific direction for a take-off hobby! It'd definitely be its own realm as it goes beyond automation into AI and open-programmability, but the seed of the idea being based on BJDs concept and style is for sure there.

Aside from that, there's an invention center in my city which offers free public access to a 3D printer, laser cutter, machine embroidering and more. All kinds of technology which could be useful in this hobby. I was considering trying it out to make some things for dolls, for personal rather than commercial purposes at least at first, but if it really works out and I develop something that is truly original, practical, and go the distance with learning to cast it in resin so it'd be proper for BJD compliance, I would hope that it would be considered acceptable by the people too. The learning curve is steep though, so it's kind of a daydreamish wish.
The computer and 3D modeling would be just another tool in my mind. If you're producing an original sculpt on the computer, then casting it in resin by hand and carving out the seams and imperfections with an x-acto knife and sandpaper, painting the face on with care and still stringing it up by hand... it'd still be acceptable as a true BJD.. in my mind, anyway!

 

I have been watching some vids on youtube about the latest 3d printing technology - and some parts scare me (like print your own real gun at home) - but the idea that in 10 years a majority of western households will have a 3d printer at home and can make their own cups and such does make me wonder what lets say Luts will ask for 3d print proggy that will allow you to print lets say 3 SD dolls? That would be cool

Would something like that be possible? I would buy it...

 

I'm actually working with shapeways for 3d printed objects. And while the end result in ABS plastics can be rough, they are now able to make resin too. And it's as smooth as the real POURED resins. I'd say if you were using the 3d printing in resin for a first time base bjd, it's a great idea. But I'd say you'd need to make molds of that model to later cast in regular resins. As far as I've seen, the 3d resins are mostly clear.

 

I'm new and don't own a doll yet and from what I've researched about making the whole making a doll process both 3D, and sculpting one. I commend the people who can and do actually make these dolls out of clay. That process is not one I can ever imagine doing. I can understand the price of the doll in question if that is their process. I do both traditional and program based art work. Yes 3D design is not easy but you can fine tune your skills in 3D design software in a year or less. Sculpting takes years to fine tune. So I respect them more.

However, when looking at these dolls I mostly look at price and then originality. I have a small price range. So if I find a body cast that cost over 100$ no paint, no make up, no eyes or clothing it is almost impossible for me to afford it. That and if I were to do a face up, make a wig, make/buy eyes, and make an outfit for it we are talking 100 dollars and countless hours of time making sure it looks great. If I mess up I can't fix it either, and i can't get another one.

I've found some good body casts of 3D printed BJD's that are actually within a double digit number not a triple or quadruple digit number. 3D dolls I feel are a good option for people who can't afford the other ones or for parents who's child wants one but they don't want to buy the child something that a child will break. If I'm making up a doll then I would want to carry it with me to show everyone. I can't do that with a clay doll it will break. So it's a good option there as well.

That and you can customize them. One of my favorite doll makers uses 3D printing to make her dolls. Her name is Atelier Enaibi Enaibi | Facebook she doesn't sell her stuff often. Because of pricing and originality I plan to buy this one:
3D Printed BJD Adult Creature Creator Kit
Cheaper than the clay option right? It's actually affordable.

There are many more challenges to these 3d dolls that arent presented in the above arguments. One would be: they aren't smooth. If you buy one of these dolls you have to smooth it out yourself. There are a bunch of different ways to do that. One of which is sanding it. Another is acetone. If your not using the right type of material you can't smooth it. The average 3D printer isn't like the cloners one it's a lot less sophisticated and simpler to use. So it will have ridges. Eyes are much more customizable with 3D printing as well.

Also, the community of 3D printing usually shares all its blueprint creations with other printers. So if you don't know how to go about doing something you can ask around and get some actually answers. Which makes it easier.

I dont think it will replace traditional BJD's but it certainly deserves its own place in the bjd community. Personally I think it'd be awesome to have a printer and make my own dolls or make my own anything. I would love to get into the field. It seems like fun.

 

I have a degree in 3d animation and oh my god 3d model making is SO hard. I found it so frustrating that I could grab a ball of clay and make something vaguely decent, but couldn't turn a 3d sphere into anything resembling anything other than a deformed sphere.

I think 3d technology and indeed 3d printers really introduce an interesting element to the doll industry in general. Customisation is far greater from the start with printed dolls for instance, and once they work out how to print resin or something similarly smooth and lovely... well...
right now 3d printed nylon dolls have a grainy almost woody texture, which while quite tactile, is really awkward for dressing. But the ability to customise the whole doll is incredible and how awesome would it be to be able to tweak sculpts to fit our character rather than the search for something "close enough" we then have to mod?
I'm keen to see where the industry goes, because I honestly think there's a lot of potential in 3d modelling and indeed printing technology. Heck, with 3d models you can rescale them a lot easier too, tweak em in the computer and then print and cast.

 

Adding to the mention of actual 3dp dolls. I have one of those dolls by Julie linked above. He's a little rabbit dude. You have to string them yourself and it's a bit fiddly as the parts are really rough (they're printed using an SLS printer so the finish is kinda stepped) but he's cute and the joints work pretty well.

I also have a lot of Makies but they're not ball jointed, they have hinge joints like a fashion doll. they're printed out of powdered nylon so their texture is more like bone or woodgrain. Means they have wonderful "tooth" when blushing but it also means tehy kinda absorb anything that goes near em. nylon is very very porus.
they also dye wonderfully but sadly, do yellow just like resin.
You can sand them a bit smoother, but as the grain goes the whole way through, it won't really smooth them off like resin or plastic, they'll always have a grainy sort of finish.

 

I have no problem with 3D modeling if an artist or company decides to use it to make their own designs. I think if a doll is 3D-printed, however, it should then be used to make a mold and cast in resin, because 3D printing doesn't allow for use of resin and the product is generally pretty rough when it comes out, from my understanding. I have a doll from Youpla Dolls, who makes really unique designs using 3D modeling, then 3D-prints prototypes and has them casted in resin.
I feel like some people think 3D modeling software is easy to use or a "cheating" tactic, and this is in no way true! Modeling software is simply a tool, and a difficult-to-master one at that. To create a good art piece with it, you need the skills and training that any handmade-doll artist would need.
Recasting is a huge problem, but I don't think the elimination or demonizing of 3D modeling/printing technology will solve that problem. It's been an issue since before those things gained prominence. The focus should be on educating people not to buy recasts, which should reduce the demand for them, rather than eliminating whole doll-making techniques because some recasters are using them.

 

Doesn't sweet doll use 3d printing to get her prototypes done and then casts after tweaks? A few artists do and it kinda opens the door for a lot of artists to do this kinda thing at home, which is awesome. Tweaking is easier when it's a 3d model, you can make much bigger changes non destructively.