Yeah, Death Star will be pretty cool once it's finished. Wish I had more room so I could make it just a little bit bigger(!).
The "texture" that prints on the 3D prints...
There are a few different "types" to choose from. I usually choose the linear pattern because it's quickest. Depending on how fine-tuned your printer is, sometimes it comes out as a bit of a raised texture, other times it comes out smushed down much flatter.
The pieces can be sanded. I say "can" because sanding seems to create a little discoloration. I think if the plan is to paint the pieces, then yes, sanding should be done. I prefer to get away without painting whenever possible. So, I usually live with the texture. A Google search about "smoothing 3D prints" can lead you to a lot of info about different techniques - not many of which I've tried. Light has a lot to do with how the piece looks, too. I'm looking at a piece about 12" away right now with not much light hitting it and I can barely tell there's texture. If I were to take a photo with the camera flash, the texture gets highlighted. About 6" away from the object and I can start to see the lines. So, it varies. I can't help but think over the next decade there will be all kinds of developments that will lead to much smoother 3D prints. I try to think what I could "print" on my Apple Imagewriter II printer back in 1987 compared to what I could print on an inkjet in the miid-90s, compared to what I can print on a laserprinter today. Since I'm printing homemade toys/displays, I'm thrilled just to be able to get such sharp edges and 3-dimension shapes made out of plastic, texture or not.
Currently printing Palpatine's office desk. I bet you've figured out that my next playset (once Death Star is done) is going to be the Galactic Senate (Palp's office and a slice of the senate proper above it, along with a raising podium). This one will be my first real completely 3-D printed playset.
