Introduction:
RT Diorama took the modeling world by surprise with their first 1/35 scale 3D printed tree. Unlike traditional model trees - which require a complex mix of scenery materials and hours of work to achieve realistic results – RT Diorama's version was designed as a straightforward alternative. Ready for painting just minutes after unboxing, it offers a fast „plug-and-play“ option for modelers looking for realism without the hassle.
This review covers Fir Tree (No1) (35471), a 3D printed coniferous tree from RT Diorama.
Review:
The set comes packed in a box measuring 13 x 10 x 10 cm.
I opened the box and found a tree additionally protected using bubble wrap. The large attention sign on the lid caught my eye… it informs the buyer how to get the tree out of the box. It is very important NOT TO PULL THE TREE OUT BY FORCE. Since the tree is fixed to the bottom of the box, this would result in damaging the piece. Instead, open the box from underside or cut the box on the sides.
As suggested, I opened the box from underside. Yes, I ruined the box but managed to carefully remove the tree with no issues whatsoever. RT Diorama made a short video to help with the process: link.
After the tree is out of the box, the cleanup should be very easy as there are only a couple of printing supports to remove. The instruction leaflet included in the set informs the modeler how to deal with 3D printed products and suggests using a sharp hobby knife and side cutters to carefully cut off the supports.
The tree depicts a young coniferous tree, printed as a single piece. The branches are nicely delivered with tiny needles perfectly defined in scale. Check out the images taken under magnification… each needle-like leaf is clearly identifiable. Very impressive!
The bottom part of the branches lack the detail, probably due to the direction of the printing. I know, I’m just being difficult as nobody will see the bottom of the branch once the tree is in place anyway… Perhaps combining the tree with coniferous branches released separately from RT Diorama could do the trick?
The tip of the tree is a bit bent, but it could be straightened… the instructions suggest gently heating the part with a hairdryer or in hot water to soften the resin and making it less brittle. Carefully manipulating the tree and slightly bending the branches to the preferred position is then possible.
The tree has the height of 100 mm. I added a 1/35 scale figure next to the tree to showcase the true size of the piece.
As for painting the piece… I’m not really sure how to tackle that one as some parts of the tree could be tricky to reach with the brush. I’ll definitely try it myself and report the outcome.
Conclusion:
Fir Tree (No1) (35471) from RT Diorama delivers an entire coniferous tree in 1/35 scale as a single 3D printed piece. The packaging is thoughtfully designed to protect the model, though removing it requires care. Cleanup is minimal, with only a few supports to remove. The level of detail is impressive, with needle-like leaves superbly delivered in 1/35 scale. Overall, it’s a high-quality, user-friendly product that offers a realistic and time-saving alternative to traditional model trees.
Highly recommended.
A big thank you to RT Diorama for this review sample.