Art in Every Layer: Artist merges art and technology with intricate 3D prints

Graduated from electronics engineering, but an artist at heart. Cana uses his degree and art skills to create a detailed 3D print inspired by video game weapons.

In a Facebook post made last March 6, Filipino artist Cana showcases a well-made 3D sword replica from the hit gacha RPG Genshin Impact. 

The technology behind these beautiful art pieces is the 3D printing process where Computer-Aided Designs (CAD) or digital models are made of material typically molded layer by layer.

However, Cana describes 3D printing as only a phase in the lengthy process of achieving a 3D piece. 

“There are many processes involved in creating a piece like this,” says Cana. “It starts with conceptualization, listing, and shopping of materials, which are the pre-production processes.”

The conceptualization phase is described to be the ‘brainstorming’ part. The execution of every piece is carefully deliberated before Cana proceeds with the production part.  

In the production, the concept takes its shape through the process of 3D modeling.

Once the details in the model are refined, the 3D printing process can finally start.

“The 3D designing phase is when the piece is visually manifested using 3D software with all the exact parameters from the plan. 3D printing is when the 3D design of the piece is physically produced,” Cana explained. 

The production part does not end with the 3D printing as the printed pieces and electronics still need to undergo the ‘prototyping phase’ or the inspection for defects. Only when the pieces are checked can Cana proceed with the assembling and painting phase. 

Finally, the 3D pieces are now ready for the post-production phase. This is where the photoshoot and product delivery happen.

“The photoshoot is when the piece is displayed and photographed to glorify its manifestation. Finally, delivery is when the piece is given to the client via shipping on a meet-up at an agreed place and time.”

The whole process lasts an average of three months, but this Al Haitham signature sword candela piece took five months to make. 

Each finished candela piece price ranges from 14,000 pesos to 24,000 pesos. 

Additionally, Cana also sells bare prints of his work in case clients want to paint the pieces themselves. 

This type of work took years of honing art skills and learning 3D modeling from scratch. Despite this, Cana admits that he still has room for improvement. 

“Even if these mediums are my sources of income, I’m still improving them from scratch and learning new forms of art to find the one art form that I will truly love doing,” he said.

Art is not without any hardships coming your way. In the thriving trend of 3D printing, Cana’s greatest challenge may have been its very form of both art and engineering. The extensive process is taxing for a one-man team considering the time and effort required for every project. 

There is no denying this fact especially with technology and art advancing with each passing day. Its improvements will require complex skills and tons of practice in return. 

This, however, should not be meant as discouragement but rather as room for improvement. That being said, Cana leaves a piece of advice to every aspiring artist polishing their craft:

“Study your mediums and their fundamentals well. It’s alright to illustrate, paint, or sculpt with no direction and supporting knowledge of art. But like a building with no foundation, your art form will eventually collapse if they’re not properly supported. Practice on how to express. This will be your bridge to expressionism in art. If you can do these two, you already know what you need and what you want to create a piece (of).”

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