u/Subject_Network5022

Spent the last 2 weeks testing how well different AI 3D generators integrate into a Blender pipeline. This isn't about which makes the prettiest model - it's about which one saves you the most time when you're actually working.

Tried the same kinds of prompts in each one over a couple weeks, generated 20 identical prompts across Meshy, Tripo, and Rodin. Imported each into Blender 4.4 via their respective plugins/addons. Timed everything from generation to "ready for further work."

Meshy has an actual Blender plugin - you generate, it appears in your project with materials already assigned. Tripo and Rodin require manual export/import workflow. The plugin saves about 3-5 minutes per asset when you're doing batch imports.

The real difference though is topology. Meshy generates quads by default (configurable 1k-300k polys). Tripo gives you triangulated meshes. Rodin is heavy triangulation that needs remeshing. For any downstream work in Blender - sculpting, rigging, subdivision - quads matter.

Time comparison per model: Meshy was middle ground on speed, slower to generate but less cleanup after. Tripo is faster at 11 minutes but no plugin means extra steps. Rodin takes 33 minutes because UV fixing is the main time sink.

For my workflow as a Blender artist, Meshy's plugin and quad output wins for day-to-day work. Tripo is faster but the extra export step adds friction. Rodin is for when quality matters more than speed.

Been collecting city pop vinyl for a couple years and yahoo auctions japan is still the best place to find original pressings that don't turn up anywhere else. Tatsuro Yamashita, Taeko Ohnuki, some of the deeper Toshiki Kadomatsu records from the early 80s. They show up on yahoo auctions regularly enough but actually winning them is a different story.

Problem I keep running into is getting sniped in the final seconds. I use Buyee right now and their autobid works fine in theory, but when multiple proxies are fighting over the same record the timing seems to matter as much as the bid amount. Lost three auctions last month where I had room left in my max bid but my proxy didn't get the final raise in fast enough before the clock ran out. By the time Buyee placed the bid the auction was already closed. Their system just seems slower than whatever other bidders are using.

Switching proxies might not even fix this since sniping is baked into yahoo auctions. But I ran across Onemall while searching for auction proxy comparisons and they apparently don't require the same kind of deposit lock that Buyee does, which at least simplifies the bidding setup.

At this point fee savings matter less to me than actually getting the record. I'd pay more per auction if it meant the proxy could reliably place my final bid before the clock hits zero. Clean original city pop pressings in VG+ or better condition are getting genuinely scarce.

Japan exclusive plushies got me into proxy buying and also gave me some truly brutal shipping bills. Big plushies take up so much space that the dimensional weight on international packages sends the cost through the roof, even though the actual weight is nothing.

Last order was a large Sanrio plush from Mercari Japan. Weighed maybe 400 grams but the box dimensions pushed it into a $35 shipping tier. More than the plushie itself. Kind of absurd when the item is literally stuffing and fabric in a bag.

Been trying to find the cheapest japan proxy service fees for plush orders and also stumbled into this idea of vacuum packing. Apparently Onemall does vacuum compression for plushies, squishing them flat so they fit a much smaller box and ship at lower dimensional weight. Sounds amazing on paper but I'm not sure whether it messes up the plush. Does the stuffing actually bounce back after being compressed for a week during international transit?

Fee side matters too. Buyee at 500 yen per item is a lot when you're buying 2,000 yen plushies. Any reduction helps at that price range.

Not going to try vacuum packing until I'm confident the stuffing recovers properly. The savings would be significant if it works but not worth it if the plush ends up lumpy or permanently misshapen.

Has anyone actually had a plush vacuum packed for shipping? Did it bounce back to normal after unpacking?