Hmm, apparently my previous post got gobbled up.
Anyway, a quick recap: my order was delayed for 3 weeks and when I checked their materials productions VS when I should have received my order, I saw that they had overshot their 3-week estimate.
So I complained and got a rebate coupon in the same value of the sword to be used towards further Shapeways purchases.
I believe that the WSF Polished material will be roughly $10, but some of the detailing might be imprecise (though, really, I doubt it'll do a difference... The only real drawback is a lack of transparency).
In any case, my sword finally came in! Check this out! I'm impressed, this is the first time I do something that big at Shapeways and the result was worth the wait!
Close up
On Stronghold's weapon rack:
I wish I could offer these painted and finalized, UltraMarknus, but the thing is, my skill at painting is pretty much summed up in how your described yours.
I will try the suggestions made by Quanza as it seems easier than dying the part and painting it with masks.
If you would like to avoid the extra enpensive Frosted Ultra Detail, the model of the sword is of sufficient quality that it will still look great in other materials like Transparent Detail and the regular White Strong and Flexible (though I would recommend the polished version, it has a better finish).
Also, I never really shared these over here, but these are the first two Shapeways projects I've done:
"Matamore" upgrade for Classics Cliffjumper and "Emergency Alert" for Generations Red Alert.
Matamore is only a front head piece swap. Unscrew the original face, peg this one in place after painting, and screw it back on. This pic is in Frosted Ultra Detail, but the prototype picture was in WSF and it looked just as good.
Emergency Alert is a 5-piece kit consisting of the front and back of the head, a light piping component, a shoulder cannon and a weapon mount (unpictured). Parts are tight enough that no gluing is required, the light piping serves as a pressure clip between the front and back.