Yup! And Daim, thank you so much for bringing it to my attention. I wouldn't have known about it until it's released.
For those interested, I'll copy my 'official statement' of the matter here:
"Ahh... so here it is.
Alright guys, so I'm just taking the opportunity to state here that I had nothing to do with this release, and it seems likely they are
very inspired by my original design of Optimus knuckle hands.
I know many of you guys, and many of you guys know me, so I'm comfortable in sharing my thoughts on this business.
First and foremost, the customer deserves the very best. I believe only the best product deserves to sell, and I always try my very best to give the best of my ability for my Shapeways stuff. As several of you have put it, my hands are not designed to hold the Japan exclusive swords (I can't design for them if I don't have them) but they
are capable of holding OP's buster rifle. They are also made to hold 5mm pegs as well.
On the bad side, my hands are subjected to the variances that come with 3D printing, and that's where most of the tolerance issues come in. So now, here's an alternative third party product that offers posability in all digits, a fold-out prickler, and ball-jointed wrists in
molded ABS. Heck, if it were me I'll grab a few myself.
If you think X-TB's hands fit your needs and you trust their level of quality, by all means go ahead and grab a few. It's nothing personal and I don't mind it one bit.
BUT BUT BUT BUT.
I must admit I am perturbed that the design is more than a little inspired by what I did. Posable fingers have been done before, nothing original about that, but I can safely say I am the first to have thought up of the knuckle mechanism, the 'C' gap structure in the palm for holding weapons, among other little ideas. It saddens me that this company just took what I did and replicated it with no attribution at all. They may end up with a more reliable product (maybe?), but it's intellectually dishonest and disrespectful.
1. I will not be encouraging anyone to boycott anything. You guys are all discerning customers, and you will know which is the better product and go for it. But keep in mind Ariel Lemon started it all.
2. I will not stop creating stuff on Shapeways. I do these for the love of the brand and for the fandom, not for money (oh well, for some beer money :lol). I must admit this event has been discouraging for me, but on the bright side it was slightly flattering that someone actually cared to copy my stuff. What I will do is make my future designs harder to replicate conventionally, is all.
3. I love you guys. And I am hoping that you love me back and do this for me. Even though I am not encouraging anyone to boycott anything, if it is okay with you I want you guys to help me spread the word onto this vast Internet. Facebook, flickr, blogs, wherever.
"Ariel Lemon did it first. X-TB did it later."
You can't stop people from copying stuff, but you sure can help customers be aware of where the designs come from."
-Ariel Lemon
