DD tips/help please?

I am sorry to ask, but I would like answers to these questions.

 

About how sturdy are Dollfie Dreams? I need to know because I like to visit my friend's house and take photos with different things, but there is a (teenage and playful) cat there. How would my future DD hold up to certain things such as the aforementioned cat? (He comes when I least expect it)

 

Why is the vinyl so expensive? I know modern vinyl is VERY expensive, but, why?

 

Is it ok to do photography in the sunlight? It is spring where I live and it can get quite hot, because my state is humid subtropical.

 

Sincerely, DD clueless.

About how sturdy are Dollfie Dreams?

Very sturdy. The exterior vinyl and internal skeleton are strong and flexible and can with stand falls quite well. They aren't indestructible. Unlike resins with their stretchy elastic joints, which will bend just about any direction, vinyls have firm mechanical joints that move in specific directions and have defined ranges of motion, just like your body's joints. One should familiarize themselves with the jointing system of your vinyl girl so the doll can be posed without over stressing the joints.

 

How would my future DD hold up to certain things such as the aforementioned cat? (He comes when I least expect it)

I have heard that some cats (and dogs) like to chew on dolls, both vinyls and resins. But other than that vinyls get along well with most animals.

 

Why is the vinyl so expensive? I know modern vinyl is VERY expensive, but, why?

Expensive as compared to...?

A standard version DD3 costs 46,440 yen. At current exchange rates that's $428. That includes eyes, wig, head (with face up) large Shapely Bust, slip dress, and panties. A comparably equipped resin runs about 68,040 yen ($625 US).

https://www.volks.co.jp/page_ex.jsp?CONTROLID=SC0040&BUSINESSID=InitDisp&jancd=4518992404608&version=en

https://www.volks.co.jp/page_ex.jsp?CONTROLID=SC0040&BUSINESSID=InitDisp&jancd=4518992402802&version=en

 

A body alone (without a head), which you would customize and finish yourself runs about 22,680 yen ($209 USD).

 

The materials and technologies required to manufacture a resin doll can be mastered in your kitchen. Producing the vinyl and ABS parts of a 1/3 scale vinyl doll requires a lot of specialized equipment and expensive molds. Modern manufacturing techniques can crank out thousands of parts in minutes at low unit costs but these dolls are not produced in the large quantities of say, Barbies or Monster High dolls so production runs aren't large enough to lower unit costs. Unlike the dozens and dozens of companies which produce 1/3 scale resin dolls, there are only 2 companies I know of which produce vinyl dolls of this size. There really aren't any "budget" vinyl doll companies out there, unlike resins.

Licensing fees for specific anime character dolls can also add to the cost.

 

Is it ok to do photography in the sunlight? It is spring where I live and it can get quite hot, because my state is humid subtropical.

Yes! Vinyl dolls are great to play with. Take your vinyl doll to the back yard, the park, the beach! Vinyl holds up very well to the elements. I know a vinyl owner who regularly takes her 8+ year old vinyl girl on outings to restaurants, parks, museums and even swimming. As with all dolls you will want to take care to protect the face, but otherwise there's no reason your vinyl girl can't go everywhere with you.

 

A little bit of care should be taken when storing your vinyl girl. Keep her out of reach of small children and pets. The dog might mistake her for a chew toy. Avoid storing your vinyl girl in direct sunlight. Constant exposure day after day to direct sunlight will dry out the vinyl, but taking her out for a couple of hours to the park won't hurt her.

I had one fall four feet and land on her head. I was sure her neck joint would be snapped, but she was fine. She landed on carpet though. I think the biggest potential issue is if your doll face planted on a rough surface like concrete she would get scratched. If she gets wet you need to take her apart and dry her out completely. Mold will wreck them.

 

I've heard folks around here who do outdoor photo shoots say taking a partner along is a good idea. While you are behind the camera the other person can be nearby watching after the doll. I'd worry more about this in public places than your own back yard.

 

My cat loves to chew on stuff, but has only ever sniffed my DDs. Granted what one cat thinks is a marvelous chew toy another may completely ignore. I generally keep them in a glass case where my cat can't get at them when they are unattended, and when they aren't in the case and my cat is around them I keep a close eye on him.

Ah, thank you all so much!

Oh, yeah, DDs are plenty sturdy. They don't really yellow from sun exposure, and the outer vinyl is kind of springy, so they can handle play and accidents that resins would scratch or chip from, and that porcelain would shatter from. I wouldn't leave the doll unattended with the cat, *especially* initially, since you can't tell right away if the cat's one of the kind that'll be fascinated by the doll or not, but that's as much for your own peace of mind as anything else.

 

Outdoor shoots are SUCH fun. Do: wear sunscreen, bring a backpack with water so you can stay hydrated, bring a stand, and a comb in case of wind. Don't: leave your doll unattended, because of wind and people, and don't give a damn if anyone gives you flack for being an adult with a doll. (Mostly though, you're likely to get polite curiosity and inadvertently awkward questions. Like "how much did she cost", "is that what you wish you looked like?"/"is that what you wish your girlfriend looked like?". Yes. Really. Just stay casual.)

 

 

The materials and technologies required to manufacture a resin doll can be mastered in your kitchen. Producing the vinyl and ABS parts of a 1/3 scale vinyl doll requires a lot of specialized equipment and expensive molds. Modern manufacturing techniques can crank out thousands of parts in minutes at low unit costs but these dolls are not produced in the large quantities of say, Barbies or Monster High dolls so production runs aren't large enough to lower unit costs. Unlike the dozens and dozens of companies which produce 1/3 scale resin dolls, there are only 2 companies I know of which produce vinyl dolls of this size. There really aren't any "budget" vinyl doll companies out there, unlike resins.

Licensing fees for specific anime character dolls can also add to the cost.

 

 

I'd also like to point out that DDs, Obitsus, and Smart Dolls all have the elaborate internal skeleton, which dolls like Barbie or Monster High lack. The internal skeletons make them much more posable and versatile, but increase the number of parts to be manufactured. That's also undoubtably a big factor in the cost as well. They're pretty complicated, basically.

This really encourages me to get a Dollfie Dream. I am interested in the standard models, especially Mirai. Those stunning blue eyes combined with that beautiful black hair! Amazing! I will make sure that little kitty doesn't lay a paw on my future girl(s)! Hehe, that cat is pretty frisky!

DD are awesome, and Mirai is a beauty. She's just as beautiful as their LE dolls and costs a good deal less.

 

If a cat or dog chewed on them it would ruin them, but my cat is a pica cat and he hasn't showed any inclination to eat my DD's or their wigs. He'll eat foam insulation board, but only sniffs DDs.

 

I would worry about the cat if it ate a wig. Threads can really mess up their intestines, so to protect the DD and the cat supervision is a good idea. I never leave them where my cat can get at them when I am going to be out of the room for more than a few minutes.

 

The one thing that will eat your dd for sure is mold. Part of the upkeep is keeping them clean, dry, free of stains, and washing their clothing a wigs. If the wig has a black cap you will need a protective cap, and that will need to be washed periodically to prevent dye bleed through.

 

Oh and buy them presents and wardrobes regularly, or they will nag you about it.

DD are awesome, and Mirai is a beauty. She's just as beautiful as their LE dolls and costs a good deal less.

 

If a cat or dog chewed on them it would ruin them, but my cat is a pica cat and he hasn't showed any inclination to eat my DD's or their wigs. He'll eat foam insulation board, but only sniffs DDs.

 

I would worry about the cat if it ate a wig. Threads can really mess up their intestines, so to protect the DD and the cat supervision is a good idea. I never leave them where my cat can get at them when I am going to be out of the room for more than a few minutes.

 

The one thing that will eat your dd for sure is mold. Part of the upkeep is keeping them clean, dry, free of stains, and washing their clothing a wigs. If the wig has a black cap you will need a protective cap, and that will need to be washed periodically to prevent dye bleed through.

 

Oh and buy them presents and wardrobes regularly, or they will nag you about it.

Ah, ok. I recently found Candy 1st Ver. on Mandarake. She is Beautiful! Does the bathing suit stain her, and is she strung? Just wanting to know, because I am finding great deals, and if I get her, I don't want her torso to be stained a few days after putting the suit on her, and it's ok if she's strung, I just prefer the frame. ^.^

It sounds like you actually found Candy v2, if she has a dark blue swimsuit. Candy v1 comes in a black "faux leather" or "pleather" outfit.

 

Candy v1: http://myfigurecollection.net/item/18109

Candy v2: http://myfigurecollection.net/item/18128

 

I'm pretty sure Candy v1 came with the old strung body, whereas Candy v2 had the DDII body. The DDII is pretty different from the current DDIII body -- they both have a vinyl shell around an external frame, but the DDII body is made from a harder vinyl and is far less poseable than the newer DDIII body.

 

Note that body Candy v1 and Candy v2 are going to have very different face-ups from the "Memorial" version face-ups. Old-style Volks face-ups aren't very detailed; they're generally solid lines of color without any shading or layering to add a sense of depth or softness.

 

And yes, I'm 99% certain that swimsuit will stain.

 

I'm pretty sure Candy v1 came with the old strung body, whereas Candy v2 had the DDII body. The DDII is pretty different from the current DDIII body -- they both have a vinyl shell around an external frame, but the DDII body is made from a harder vinyl and is far less poseable than the newer DDIII body.

 

Note that body Candy v1 and Candy v2 are going to have very different face-ups from the "Memorial" version face-ups. Old-style Volks face-ups aren't very detailed; they're generally solid lines of color without any shading or layering to add a sense of depth or softness.

 

And yes, I'm 99% certain that swimsuit will stain.

Oh, ok. The faceup is really pretty IMO, but I just can't decide what Dollfie Dream I want anymore haha. I like the standard models, and I think Rena is cute, but I don't want an MDD yet. I like full size. Oops, I'm rambling. ^.^;