ShipShaper: Falconeer Chronicles allows creators to export custom naval designs directly into STL format for physical 3D printing. Solo developer Tomas Sala designed the builder to output clean files alongside a free commercial license, allowing you to fabricate tabletop miniatures, game assets, or physical models without proprietary restrictions. Because the game relies on dynamic mesh shaping, certain delicate elements like sails and rigging require specific adjustments in your slicer software before sending the file to your printer.
Supported Export Formats in ShipShaper
ShipShaper provides multiple 3D export extensions accessible directly from the creation menu. Depending on whether you use a standard single-extruder machine, a modern multi-material unit, or an external game engine, you can choose between dedicated model types.
| Format | Primary Purpose | Key Features Documented by Developer |
|---|---|---|
| STL | Standard 3D Printing | Default single-mesh format for slicers and fabrication. |
| 3MF | Multicolor 3D Printing | Supports native vertex color boundaries for multi-material printers. |
| FBX | Game Development & Modding | Includes vertex colors and emissive channels for engines like Unity. |
Tomas Sala noted during development that ShipShaper's vertex generation produces sharp color edges, making 3MF export particularly practical for color-capable 3D printers that can split geometry along vertex color lines.
How to Prepare ShipShaper Models for Slicers
While the export process requires only a single click in the in-game export menu, models cannot always be sent directly to a 3D printer without inspection. In official Steam discussions, the developer confirmed that players must adjust and clean up models inside third-party slicer software before printing.
- Finalize your hull geometry and hull props within the ShipShaper builder.
- Open the menu, select the export tab, and choose either STL for monochrome printing or 3MF for multicolor machines.
- Import the resulting file into your slicer software.
- Review the preview layer-by-layer to identify unsupported overhangs or fragile components.
Physical Limitations: Rigging and Sails
Fine details designed for digital screens do not always translate to molten filament or cured resin:
- Rigging ropes: The game's dynamic rigging consists of thin lines that standard printers cannot resolve. Sala confirmed that rigging will likely not print and recommends removing rigging props before export, or trimming them inside your slicer.
- Cloth sails: Paper-thin sail geometry presents print failures. The developer has explored options to fatten sail meshes to create print-friendly optical illusions, but current builds require players to either remove sails for physical printing or adapt them via slicer thickness settings.
- Slicer poly-count handling: Early Access player reports indicate that exported STLs can load with high component counts per polygon in certain slicing programs, which may lead to brief slicer lag during initial mesh repair.
Commercial Licensing and Usage Rights
Unlike creation sandboxes that lock player models inside internal save systems, ShipShaper includes a free commercial license for exported files. According to the official Steam store page and developer communications:
- Commercial products: You are permitted to use exported models in indie game development, commercial board games, and 3D printed physical merchandise.
- Asset ownership: The developer stated that anything you shape belongs to you, aiming for Creative Commons terms to prevent copyright complications for creators.
- Digital pipeline: FBX exports support standard vertex shaders, allowing indie developers to transfer ShipShaper hulls into Unity or Unreal Engine without manual UV unwrapping.
Alternative Export Targets
Beyond standalone file generation, ShipShaper connects directly to other games in the franchise and community platforms:
- Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles: Export hulls straight into the city builder to serve as usable fleet vessels.
- Future sailing projects: Support is planned for Tomas Sala's upcoming sailing title currently in development.
- Steam Workshop: Share designs directly with other community members for leaderboard challenges and fleet showcases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ShipShaper support multicolor 3D printing?
Yes. Alongside standard STL files, ShipShaper supports 3MF export. The game utilizes crisp vertex coloring, which modern multicolor slicers and printers can read to designate distinct filament colors across the hull, deck, and props.
Can I sell physical 3D prints made from ShipShaper?
Yes. Official Steam documentation confirms that ShipShaper comes with a commercial license allowing you to use, 3D print, and sell your creations in commercial ventures, board games, or video game projects.
Why do my sails and ropes disappear in the slicer?
The dynamic rigging and canvas sails in ShipShaper are modeled as thin planes or single lines for real-time rendering. Slicing software automatically ignores geometry that falls below your printer's minimum nozzle diameter. You must adapt your design by stripping thin rigging or modifying component thicknesses in your slicer before printing.
