GGSF1 wrote: Years ago I came across a website where a Japanese guy described how he had scratch built a 2005 McLaren by using a machine to cut some material that looked like wood. I saw that and I thought it would be great to be able to do a similar thing, especially as I was learning some basic 3D modelling back then, but the technology used didn't really look too accessible. Now, there are people in the forum selling 3D printed parts, and it's not too uncommon to have a 3D printing shop nearby. If this keeps progressing like this, in a few years printing a full model car might be affordable for everyone, and if this happens then we'll be able to have any car in our collection.
It's mere speculation of course, but I'll go one further.
The resin / styrene kit as we know it may well become obsolete. You could end up buying a kit in the form of a downloadable software package which gets fed into the 3D printer / outsourced 3D Printing company of choice.
Decals may also be another candidate for this method, however current printer technology incorporating software licensing packages could need greater development.
Cheers, Paul
Sydney, Oz