An idea I had based on a dream for custom makers...

[Strawberry Swirl]

A while ago, I dreamt that Claire's was selling blank ponies in various poses specifically for customization.
And then I wondered, if some people donated bait ponies so that we have one of each pose from each generation, would it be possible to use them to create a mold to make the real life version of them?

Like ok, I made a picture to show some examples.
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One thing I was wondering though is if it would be legal? I mean if the person making the molds sold them, many customizers would rely on them probably and I'm not sure if that would tick off Hasbro.
Still, it'd make things easier if you want to make a pony in a particular pose.


Is it possible?

[Moving to customs ~ Mirn]

[lovesbabysquirmy]

A few members here already do this to a certain extent... but they have to stay very low-production for obvious reasons. 

[WingsOfMasquerade]

This is a great idea, and it is indeed possible.
It has already been done (ish) in the form of the "Dollar General Baby" and "Crumpet Fakie". Of course, that's fakie companies doing it, but they're doing it with the original mold. 2 others are "baby rearing/truly" and "tootsie with a bad head" For the first they shrunk the rearing mold & gave a new poor head, the second they use Tootsie's body and usually give it a funky big head with glass eyes.

If the fakie companies are doing it and those are on shelves now, is it still illegal? They're never called My Little Pony/not claiming to be it.
Would Hasbro care? Yes if it's G4 because it stops people buying what's on shelves right now. G1, 2, or 3? No idea because Hasbro is not making money from ye olden secondhand sales.

The problem (one of several) is that ponies aren't made in any real way a person could imitate at home. I think they're blowmolded, which means some special sprayer thing coats an inside of a mold so pony is hollow still. But that's lots of specialty equipment no one can get. But, maybe someone can shed some light on manufacturing process?

[moevelvet]

This is a cool idea, I've been wondering lately about the possibility or repro accessories.

Hasbro did sell a blank G3 pony, but only in the Core 7 pose.  I bought a bunch for my birthday party a few years ago.  I think it's still available on their website.

[Strawberry Swirl]

The problem (one of several) is that ponies aren't made in any real way a person could imitate at home. I think they're blowmolded, which means some special sprayer thing coats an inside of a mold so pony is hollow still. But that's lots of specialty equipment no one can get. But, maybe someone can shed some light on manufacturing process?

Oh gosh, I totally forgot about that! Hmm. That is tricky.
Unless maybe you could only cast half, and then have two halves? But that'd still be full.

[Baby Sugarberry]

It's definitely not legal.  Most of the fakies 'get away with it' because they're produced in a country that is notorious for not giving a darn about copyright law.

[lunar_scythe]

honestly, I can't see any way to make a project like that worth the work it would take; baits go for $1-5 in general, so they'd have to be super cheap(or very htf body shapes) to be worth it.  Even G1 boy baits only go for like $10...

[sd_dreamcrystal]

Some people do make resin cast of ponies already... but they are not sold as customizing bases, they are sold as finished customs.
The issue is copyright and cost. Most Resin cast for ponies are solid unless you have a rotocasting machine which can be made but again cost + space + time to make.

Now I can see someone doing this with completely original made pony figures. No issue with Copyright there...

[Shaiyeh]

I've been thinking of doing this myself, actually, as I want some blank (white, unpainted and with white hair) g1 ponies to display Pony Wear on in front of my MOC pony wear, and I don't feel like wiping clean actual G1s just for this, but I don't think I'd be selling due to copyright and stuff.
I like the idea tho!

[Lady.Arachnia]

Maybe it is possible to make bases from styropor....I know someone who has a business in making styropor *shapes* for the hobby and craft market! I will contact him on facebook ad ask if it is possible and affordable! *Be right back when I got some more info!*
I asked the person some questions and he is going to overthink the possibility's!

Unfortunately he can only make 2D styropor figures and not 3D! 

But maybe there is a market for 2D ponies???

[Strawberry Swirl]

Unfortunately he can only make 2D styropor figures and not 3D! 

But maybe there is a market for 2D ponies???

Ha! Well that'd probably be drawings.

[Prince_Sunbeam]

I have no real knowledge about this kind of stuff, but perhaps 3D printing could make this happen? Of course legality is still totally questionable.
But I think you could 3D print hollow ponies

[shelvesofwhimsy]

So you can 3d print ponies, I do so sometimes. But its still going to be expensive for a hollow pony with a nice finish.
And first someone has to model it, and that can be expensive if you don't know how to do it.

[Jocelyn]

There's also the technology to get a scan of a pony donne. I have a friend that works at a printing company and they scan sculptures (and people!) for print, or sometimes just the raw file. But, like everything else already recommended, that is a very expensive option. A 1 inch "selfie" scan and print there is $25, a 4 inch one is about $80. Although...Getting a scan and just receiving the file without a print is only $10...If I had a 3D printer, I would probably do that and print my own ponies, heh. Both the head and body would probably have to be in two parts for it to be hollow, though...Unless you get it done in a printer that doesn't require supports. Which would, again, be incredibly expensive.

Yeah, ultimately I think either casting or printing ponies as sellable custom bases is not worth it in the end. Materials are expensive, it would be time consuming, and it is so so much cheaper to just buy a bait and paint it whatever color.

[shelvesofwhimsy]

There's also the technology to get a scan of a pony donne. I have a friend that works at a printing company and they scan sculptures (and people!) for print, or sometimes just the raw file. But, like everything else already recommended, that is a very expensive option. A 1 inch "selfie" scan and print there is $25, a 4 inch one is about $80. Although...Getting a scan and just receiving the file without a print is only $10...If I had a 3D printer, I would probably do that and print my own ponies, heh. Both the head and body would probably have to be in two parts for it to be hollow, though...Unless you get it done in a printer that doesn't require supports. Which would, again, be incredibly expensive.

Yeah, ultimately I think either casting or printing ponies as sellable custom bases is not worth it in the end. Materials are expensive, it would be time consuming, and it is so so much cheaper to just buy a bait and paint it whatever color.

Yeah 3d scans are a good option, but once you have the file you'll still need software to make it printable (cleaning up the file and adding a thickness to the solid shape)

I think support material wouldn't be too much of a problem, but it would have to be in two pieces to be hollow. But you're right, its still an expensive option.
I would print them on my printer at home, but the resolution isn't as high as some professional printers