Techme101.com

There are resin 3D printers and then there is the Uniformation GKTwo. Many people getting into the 3D printing hobby progress from FDM printing using great machines from Bambu Labs* or Elegoo and then begin to crave the extra detail that printing with resin gives you.
This is especially true if you want to print models for tabletop gaming as well as for decoration. Today we are going to look at both. Our ongoing series about how to create the most unique items to make your games room really stand out has been so popular, today we are donning some PPE and getting messy. But it will be worth it.
As with our other games room printing exploits, we are going to need some great models to print. It makes sense that the figures we want to print first are from our favorite games so we have chosen to get started with is Godfrey, the first Elden Lord from Elden Ring from Nom Nom Figures. This Godfrey is hugely detailed and you couldn’t dream of printing it with an FDM printer, and we are going to need all the great detail that the GKTwo provides to get the best out of it.
A 3D printed model of Godfrey from Elden Ring shortly after curing.
Setting up the GKTwo for best results is imperative, but fortunately our slicer of choice, Lychee Slicer comes with a solid GKTwo profile which does pretty much all the hard work for us. Our model comes in 45 parts we can print in batches and glue them together, or you can, as we did for speed print largely complete sections. We started by printing Godfrey’s base and the GKTwo made short work of producing an amazingly detailed model. I’ve used many resin printers and to have one that “just works” out of the box makes such a difference.
The GKTwo’s large build plate and resin vat also make a difference. If nothing else it means you have to mess around with resin less. The UI on the machine is simple to use and after a few tests, the machine is ready to use for the first time out of the box.
The fact that the machine comes pre-levelled is also such a massive bonus. Okay, so it doesn’t take long to level a resin printer generally and it’s still advised that you check the leveling before you start, but the confidence given by the knowledge that this is leveled at the factory cannot be underestimated. You can level them yourself, but are you ever really sure you have done it correctly?
I have printed countless models with the GKTwo and have never had a single failure. That’s not to say some of that is not luck combined with experience, but the features you get for the extra cash that the GKTwo gives you just make things easier.
We haven’t yet mentioned the fact the machine comes with a heated chamber – which was new to me. This helps keep the resin in the vat at the perfect temperature for printing and exposure. This is important in a cold country in winter – like where I am, where you could start a print in the day and the temperature drops dramatically at night, while your print is still going. This can cause all manner of issues in your print as the resin cures at constantly changing temps. The heated chamber eradicates this fear.
The GKTwo comes with a lot of features that just make sense. I am so used to having to take the protective lid off a resin printer and find somewhere to put it down while I get at my prints, then invariably end up putting it back on with dirty, resin gloves and making the lid sticky and covered in undesirable chemicals. I am a messy worker.
The GKTwo has a green flip-up lid that you can just lift out of the way while you remove the build plate, again using a unique clamping mechanism that is simple and effective to operate. This should absolutely be the standard way to do this.
As you can see from our Godfrey models the detail you get from the GKTwo’s 8K screen is exemplary. It takes what you throw at it and just prints you great results you can paint up and show off in your games room.
Tabletop gaming with the GKTwo
In terms of tabletop gaming and small models I wanted to print some replacement Aliens for those that come in the board game ‘Aliens – Another Glorious Day in the Corps” – the models that come with the game are fine, but I had my eye on the amazing Aliens vs Humans models from Papsikels Miniatures. I absolutely love these. Anyway, I sliced a load of them for the GKTwo’s large build plate, set it going, and came back a few hours later to a plate full of my new Xenomorphs. Happy Days.
3D printed Xenomorphs from Aliens.
Suffice to say Warhammer proxies or even display miniatures can be printed in abundance and with ease here.
The final thing and this is a sneak peek of our next feature, is I printed some new artisan keycaps for my mechanical gaming keyboard. I chose to print the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and they came out amazing. The GKTwo’s tolerances were great and they fit perfectly onto the stems of my Vermilo Sekura switches. So not only can we print out great models for our room we can also start to customize what we play on. Artisan Keycaps used to be the domain of specialist crafters. No more.
3D Printed TMNT keycaps.
Why choose the GKTwo from Uniformation
Okay so if we are serious about printing great models for our gaming setup, and we are, can we print them for less than the GKTwo costs? Yes, we can. The GKTwo will set you back around $849 at the moment and if you go for the kit with the washing and curing stations, which, to be fair, are well worth the extra cash if you can afford it, will cost you north of $1000 when you can get a resin printer for probably half that, but what you get with this machine is ease of use, and I would argue, a safer printing environment. I have seen arguments that suggest you don’t splurge on the best machine out there if you are new to resin printing in case you find it is not for you. I’d argue the opposite, I would say the ease of printing great models will make you fall in love with the hobby, rather than face the frustration of constantly having failed models and mess everywhere. If you can afford it, get the GKTwo. If you can’t. save up.
How to stay safe printing with resin
The Unifomation GKTwo makes it easier than ever to stay safe from chemical disasters than the vast majority of 3D resin printers, but you still need to take precautions. Firstly resin stinks and you do not want to be breathing it in if you don’t have to as it is nasty. The GKTwo comes with a carbon filter block that will reduce the number of nasty particles in the air, but still never resin print unless you are in well-ventilated areas. Certainly, never print in your bedroom and go to sleep printing. Ever.
Secondly, you do not want to get resin on your skin so when handling, always wear protective rubber or nitrile gloves, they are cheap to purchase on Amazon. When removing models from the GKTwo’s build plate they will be full of resin juice, so keep those gloves on. The models will be strongly attached to the plate so when you are knocking them off with a scraper be aware they could fly anywhere and drops of resin could splash. You do not want these in your eye. Safety glasses should be worn at all times.
And finally, take care while pouring it into your vat, or returning unused resin to the vat. This stuff is poisonous and while the GKTwo’s excellent, large vat makes it easier than most, if you get resin spilled everywhere it not only is a pain to clean up, but if you get it on your GKTwo’s screen you run the risk of destroying it.
Post Processing with resin 3D Prints
Whether you choose to use a less-fuss water-washable resin or a standard resin, you need to wash the excess off. Normal resin requires washing off with Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) – another nasty chemical, or a special resin wash which is expensive. Either way, you need to work out how to get the uncured resin off your prints. After that, the print will need proper curing under a UV light of sorts. The easiest way, keeping in line with this article, is to get the washing and curing stations as part of a bundle from Uniformation. I have used wash stations before, and while super convenient, can be a hassle constantly having to change the washing fluid, be it water or IPA. The wash station from Uniformation has a clever draining hose at the back which is operated by a tap and you can empty the unit directly into a bucket.
The curing station is also cool, featuring a turntable that gets hit from all angles by strong UV light for a few minutes, hardening your model and preparing it for a coat of primer before painting.
Some minor downsides to both units, the power switch is located on the rear, which I always find an unnecessary hassle, reaching around, especially when limited space is available. I would love it to be on the side, or even front like the GKTwo and the second is also to do with space, all three units together take up a considerable amount of desk space. I prefer the separate unit idea, but just be aware you need to set aside some permanent desk space for all three.
The lowdown
3D printing with resin has come a long way in a few years and is now accessible to the masses. The GKTwo from Ultimation is an exciting look at the future of this great hobby and I can’t wait to see what Uniformation comes up with next.
Printing bespoke models and art for your room is a great way to give it that individuality and make you stand out, especially if you are a streamer.

Note: The Bambu Lab A1 is currently under a recall

The post How to 3D print amazing models and keycaps for your games room on the Uniformation GKTwo appeared first on ReadWrite.

The meme coin frenzy that was booming in late February and early March has cooled off recently amid a broader crypto market correction. However, this week, we have a clear winner among meme coins, and that’s the meme coin king – Dogecoin (DOGE).
Dogecoin has outperformed all other major meme coins, such as SHIB, WIF, BONK, PEPE, and FLOKI, this week. DOGE is up 19%, while SHIB has gained 11%, PEPE 6%, WIF 4.9%, and FLOKI 15%. On the other hand, BONK has actually declined by 12%.

Top meme coins this week via CoinMarketCap
Dogecoin Price Prediction & Analysis 
At press time DOGE is trading around $0.17. On the DOGE/USDT chart, we can see that DOGE broke out of the sideways channel in late February and began its pump from the $0.09 levels to $0.20.
Prior to this week’s pump, the Dogecoin price experienced a retracement from its earlier highs, dipping to the $0.14 area before regaining momentum and surging to current levels.

Dogecoin price chart – daily timeframe
So, breaking the $0.20 level is the next logical target that could be predicted for the DOGE price. 
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is currently at 59, indicating that the asset is not yet overbought and has room for further upside.
Additionally, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) line is still below the MACD signal line. However, based on the chart’s bullish trend, the MACD line can soon cross above the MACD signal line, which is typically a strong buy signal.
Looking ahead, if Dogecoin can sustain its bullish momentum and break through the crucial $0.20 resistance level, it could pave the way for further upside. The next major target for DOGE bulls would likely be the $0.25-$0.30 range, which represents a strong psychological barrier and a level not seen since 2021 bull run.
However, any potential setbacks, market crashes, or profit-taking could see DOGE retrace to its support around $0.14-$0.15 in the short term.
Shiba Inu and FLOKI tend to Follow DOGE 
The surge in Dogecoin’s price has caught the attention of SHIB KNIGHT, a renowned meme coin analyst boasting over 400k followers on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. According to SHIB KNIGHT’s observations, Dogecoin’s 16% gain on the day signifies the return of the “dogs” in the crypto market.
SHIB KNIGHT believes that the performances of meme coins like Shiba Inu (SHIB) and Floki Inu (FLOKI) are likely to follow suit, as they tend to experience more substantial rallies when Dogecoin pumps. The analyst also highlighted Floki Inu’s potential, stating that it “is looking good with the release of its new roadmap yesterday.”

$DOGE is up 16% today 👀️️🔥️️️️
The dogs are backing and it is only a matter of time before $SHIB and $FLOKI follows, as they tend to follow #doge and move harder when it rallies.#FLOKI is looking good with the release of its new roadmap yesterday. https://t.co/KAxutYrgbl pic.twitter.com/eMQ54HuYAI
— $SHIB KNIGHT (@army_shiba) March 23, 2024

This take suggests that SHIB and FLOKI tend to follow DOGE’s pumps, so traders should probably keep this in mind in the upcoming days and weeks.
Best Meme Coins to Buy Now
SMOG is a dragon-themed meme coin that has rapidly gained popularity in the crypto market due to its interesting narrative, viral airdrops, multi-chain infrastructure, and community-building initiatives. 
Dogecoin20 is a new meme coin that aims to offer an improved version of Dogecoin by combining meme culture with staking rewards. It has raised $7 million in presale already, with a focus on passive rewards for investors who stake DOGE20 tokens. 
SpongeV2 is an upgraded version of the original Sponge meme coin, aiming to build on the success of its predecessor. It introduces a “Stake-to-Bridge” setup that links it to the original SPONGE ecosystem.
All in all, the meme coin mania has cooled off this week, but Dogecoin has emerged as the clear winner this week, outperforming other major meme coins. With its strong momentum and bullish technical indicators, an optimistic Dogecoin price prediction could be that its rally continues beyond $0.25, potentially also influencing the performance of other meme coins like SHIB, FLOKI, and others.
Additionally, new meme coin projects like SMOG, Dogecoin20, and SpongeV2 are still in early phases, but these memes offer interesting narratives and utilities which makes them one of the best meme coins to invest in now.
Related

Top Meme Coins To Watch In 2024

The post Dogecoin Price Outperforms Shiba Inu, Pepe, Dogwifhat and Other Top Meme Coins appeared first on ReadWrite.

It will come as no surprise that Apple is expected to be continuing its trend of releasing a Pro version of the latest iPhone. In 2024, that means we can expect an iPhone 16 Pro – and the rumor mill already has an idea of what and when to expect it.
When is the iPhone 16 Pro release date?
Forbes reports that we can expect to see the iPhone 16 Pro in the fall. Judging from the years that have come before, Apple tends to host its iPhone announcement events on one of the first Tuesdays of September. That means we can probably expect it on September 3 or September 10, in keeping with previous years.
Although that is still a few months away, there’s already a fair amount of rumors flying about what to expect from the iPhone 16 Pro, both in terms of aesthetic design and the specs beneath the casing.
iPhone 16 Pro design rumors
Multiple sources on MacRumors report that a key change between the iPhone 16 and the Pro (as well as the Max) will be the size. This will be the first significant size update that iPhones have had for several years, jumping from the iPhone 16’s 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches for the Pro. The Pro Max is believed to measure 6.9 inches, up from 6.7 inches on the iPhone 16 Max.
While the volume buttons will remain the same between the 16 and 16 Pro, Apple will reportedly add a whole new button, known currently as the Capture Button. This echoes existing designs from Samsung, Pixel, and other major smartphones. Found on the side of the iPhone next to the Power button, the Capture button will be mechanical but still respond to pressure and touch. That means it will enable users to zoom in and out by swiping on the button, adjust focus in a photo with a light touch, and activate the camera or start recording with a firm push.
Its position next to the Power button means that the 5G mmWave antenna for American users will have to move to the left side of the device, below the volume buttons.
Other than that, the Pro versions will follow the same design principles as the base versions. Apple has been leaning into the titanium frames they’re known for since the release of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max and don’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.
In fact, the company is making sure everyone knows what metal is in the handset with the rumoured colours that the iPhone 16 Pro will come in: Natural Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium and Black Titanium.

iPhone 16 Pro spec rumors
Of course, what most Apple fans want to know is exactly what will be new in terms of functionality. Will it be worth the predictable price jump?
What is reported so far is that Apple is designing new A-series chips for the iPhone 16 Pro models, built on the latest N3E 3-nanometer node. That means the upgraded handset should offer improvements for both efficiency and performance, although there aren’t many practical details on what this could mean.
There are also whispers of Apple laying the groundwork for improved AI capabilities. With both the A18 chip and the next-generation M4 chip for Mac, the iPhone 16 Pro could be coming out at the forefront of smartphone AI capabilities.
What’s more, reliable Apple leaker Kosutami shared a look at the metal shell of what’s believed to be the iPhone 16 Pro, revealing that Apple could be shifting towards a frosted interior casing, rather than its usual glossy finish. While this casing change wouldn’t be for aesthetic purposes, being hidden by the exterior for all intents and purposes, it does mean that Apple could be putting more effort into thermal management, reducing the chance of overheating handsets.
This comes just a few weeks after Kosutami also reported that “Apple is actively working on graphene thermal system of iPhone 16 Series to solve the heating problem existing before”. If the leaker is to be believed, Apple appears to be heavily focusing on managing issues with overheating.
In addition, Kosutami reports a battery capacity of 3,355mAh. While this is only a slight improvement on the iPhone 15 Pro, this could represent as much as a 25% difference in battery life. That’s a pretty sizable difference for anyone who finds their iPhone seems to die not long after leaving the house
In previous years, camera upgrades have also represented a substantial change from base to Pro versions of iPhones. Many consumers are motivated to buy due to cosmetic changes and perceive improvements in photography, so we can likely expect some sort of new features or performance in the camera as well. However, it’s possible that box has already been ticked by the Capture button.
iPhone 16 Pro price rumors
The best measure of how much we can expect the iPhone 16 Pro to cost is comparing iPhone 15 and 15 Pro prices. Upon release, there was a $200 price increase for the Pro handset. By that marker, we can likely expect the iPhone 16 Pro to sit between $999 and $1,099 for 128GB and between $1,099 and $1,199 for 256 GB.
Featured image: Unsplash
The post iPhone 16 Pro: release date and rumors appeared first on ReadWrite.

Ahead of its release, Stellar Blade has been catching the eye of many a gamer with its real attention to detail on both character models, and the overall world aesthetic.
If you’ve seen any of the images flying around the internet, you might have got a bit of deja vu, thinking you’ve seen this game before. This is likely because Stellar Blade is the new name for the previously announced Project EVE, revealed to the public in 2021.
To update you on all the goings on, we’ll take you through everything we know on Stellar Blade including its release date, trailers, platforms, editions, and more.
What is the Stellar Blade release date?
Stellar Blade will launch on April 26, 2024, as confirmed in January 31st’s State of Play livestream. This has been a long time coming for those that have been following the game’s journey since it was actually announced way back in 2021 under the aforementioned Project EVE name.
Stellar Blade trailers
Since Stellar Blade has been in development for some time, there have been a few different trailers to show off what the game has to offer.
The first official trailer when the game was still called Project EVE can be seen below. This was released during the 2021 PlayStation Showcase and had a pretty hefty amount of footage.

The second trailer we have for your viewing pleasure is from a whole year later during the 2022 PlayStation State of Play, and focused on what to expect from the story. Watch it for yourself here:

And the final bit of Stellar Blade trailer goodness is a full gameplay overview, giving you a deep dive on different mechanics and characters you will encounter. This is the longest trailer of the three and goes pretty in depth so we’d suggest avoiding it if you don’t want any more in-game spoilers.

What platforms is Stellar Blade on?
Stellar Blade is a PS5 exclusive title meaning it will only launch on this system, leaving both Xbox and PC users wanting.
However, when first announced under the name Project EVE, it was going to be a multi-platform release. But, after Sony stepped in and decided to pump funds into the project, it changed its name as well as becoming an exclusive.
We don’t expect this to change in the near future but with the trend of PlayStation titles slowly making their way onto PC, we could see Stellar Blade on the Steam store in a couple of years.
All Stellar Blade editions

As with most games released today, Stellar Blade has different editions that you can purchase based on your preference. Here are all of the Stellar Blade editions on offer and what they contain:
Stellar Blade Standard Edition

The full Stellar Blade game only

Stellar Blade Digital Deluxe Edition

Full Stellar Blade game
Stargazer Suit for EVE
Half-rim Glasses for EVE
Quadruple Rectangle Earrings for EVE
Stargazer Wear for Adam and Lily
Stargazer Pack for the Drone
2,000 SP EXP
5,000 Gold in-game currency

As you can see, there are only two editions on offer for Stellar Blade, with the Deluxe Edition being the go-to for those that are a fan of cosmetics. Interestingly, this edition also provides EXP and Gold meaning that there are actual in-game benefits for sparing no expense.
What is the Stellar Blade pre-order bonus?
If you really liked the look of Stellar Blade from its trailers, you can secure a pre-order that will also net you some extra goodies. These pre-order bonuses are provided no matter if you purchase the Standard of Digital Deluxe Edition, which is certainly welcomed.
Here are the Stellar Blade pre-order bonuses:

Planet Diving Suit for EVE
Classic Round Glasses for EVE
Ear Armor Earrings for EVE

Who is the Stellar Blade main character?
If you haven’t guessed yet, EVE is the name of the main character you’ll be taking control of who is a sword-wielding, gun-shooting member of the 7th Airborne Squad.
Known as Angel to some, her task is to save the post-apocalyptic planet by defeating the Elder Naytiba.
She won’t work alone though as there will be two companions to help along the way – earth born Adam and 5th Airborne Squad member Lily.
Her outfits, while being a stylish affair, offer serious functionality to the player, possessing various different buffs to her skills.
What does the Stellar Blade Skin Suit do?

We’ve already touched on the fact that Stellar Blade has garnered attention for its character design but what if we told you there was an even more risque outfit for EVE?
Well, this outfit is called the Skin Suit, and as you would expect, is even more revealing that the default clothing. But, if you equip it, it comes with a price.
This price is that it enhances the difficulty of the game dramatically as it disables any shields that you EVE may have.
At this point, we’re unsure as to whether you’ll be getting one hit by enemies or if your life bar is strong enough to withstand a slight beating, but as and when we get that information we’ll update you.
Featured image: Stellar Blade
The post Stellar Blade – Release date, trailers, editions, platforms, and everything we know appeared first on ReadWrite.