If you’re a real resin model enthusiast, you might have heard about the RF Exhibitions.
As one of the most extensive and comprehensive yearly resin figurine exhibitions in Taiwan, it not only showcases some of the most intricate and stunning pieces from around the globe but also hosts a fiercely competitive 3D sculpting competition. This year, we had the pleasure of witnessing an extraordinary talent rise to the top: AX Digital Art, also known as Alex.
Although a relatively new name in the industry, this new Taiwanese designer is without a doubt incredibly passionate about 3D modeling, with one of his models, the Bobbit Worm and Water Bear, snatching first place in 2023 the 11th RF Pioneer Cup Prototype Competition 3D Group Gold Award.
We’ve got in contact with Alex to learn more about his passions and how it gets him to win the competition with less than 3 years of 3D modeling experience.
The Encounter: 3D Modeling and 3D Printing
Our CEO — Ray Wu — once said that his reason for creating his own 3D printer brand was because what was available in the market was so out of reach. Similarly, many 3D printing enthusiasts started their journey simply because they couldn’t find what they wanted in the market, and Alex is no different.
He first started his journey into 3D models and figurines through Garage Kit models (GK models); he soon realized the amount of detail on each of the models is simply mindblowing. The details and quality of display models like P1S’ caught his attention, but none really fit his style. In addition, it’s way too expensive than what his budget allows. So, when he first came across the possibility of a 4K 3D printer, a whole new world unfolded before his eyes.
Alex embarked on his journey into the world of 3D model sculpting just over two and a half years ago, quickly developing a penchant for horror and biological themes. Despite his relatively short time in the field, Alex has demonstrated remarkable skill and an innate understanding of digital sculpting, primarily using ZBrush. His commitment to continuously learning and exchanging ideas has made him a notable figure among Taiwanese designers.
Taking inspiration from soul-like games and scary zombie movies, Alex summarized his style as dark, grotesque, and terrifying. For example, in the movie The Thing, he noted that although some people might find it uncomfortable, he personally finds the various depictions of the human body in the movie very impressive.
Apart from movies and games, he is also a big fan of Japanese figure sculptors and designers like Takayuki Takeya and Keita Okada.
Taking Chances: Champion of the 2023 RF Exhibition
His journey to the RF Exhibition was powered by the horrifying yet fascinating details in his models. His winning models, the Bobbit Worm and Water Bear, is revered for their intricate realism and dynamic posture. The Bobbit Worm perfectly captured the eerie essence of this underwater predator, while the Water Bears, known for their resilience, were depicted with a level of detail that demonstrated not only Alex’s technical skill but also his ability to invoke emotion through his models.
One of Alex’s biggest challenges during the project was ensuring anatomical accuracy—particularly the realistic distribution of muscles and bones. He tackled this by conducting thorough research, allowing him to achieve the lifelike accuracy evident in his works. This meticulous approach was particularly crucial for his competition entries, which were judged not only on creativity but also on technical precision.
If you pay close attention to the 196 hands showcased in his winning model, you’ll realize how each and every one of them is different. Despite the advancement of 3D sculpting software, which can easily recreate these hands with a mirroring function, Alex mentioned that the results looked too stiff and not up to his liking, so he ended up adjusting all of these hand models, one by one, himself.
A tedious job, but we can now all agree that the effort is worth it.
Alex’s Take on Phrozen and PIXUP
When it comes to 3D printers, Alex is currently an avid user of the Sonic Mighty 8K. He loves how the printer perfectly balances size, resolution, and cost-effectiveness. Though previously he has also tried the Sonic Mega 8K.
He has also tried PIXUP and is super enthusiastic about the Phrozen Verified model services. He recalled how he had previously spent a lot of money learning how to add proper support to his 3D printing model. Yet, the Phrozen Verified service made sure that all the models are professionally checked by the experts to ensure printing success rate and reduce failure risk, at an affordable price.
Alex has also since uploaded his models to PIXUP, offering them for sale to any 3D printing enthusiasts looking for gorry models with accurate anatomy depiction. Even better, you can also check out and download Alex’s winning model the Bobbit Worm and Water Bear on PIXUP now!
For more updates from Alex himself, make sure to follow his Facebook Page at AX Digital Art.
