Originally Posted by
PFran42
I think you might have a marketable product if you could properly render build components from popular manufacturers and allow end-users to "build" a rifle before they actually have to lay down serious cash just find out that they weren't crazy about it after they assembled the various pieces.
I for one would pay good money to be able to see and rotationally manipulate a 3D model of say an Adams Arms piston kit mated to various FF modular rails that are cut out for, but protrude past the gas block. I'd also get a kick out of trying out different stocks, fore grips and other accessories on my 3D build before ordering $3K worth of parts, assembling the rifle and then promptly selling $1K of those parts on the various AR forums.
This would probably be very difficult to bring to fruition with all of the trademark, copyright and licensing pieces in play but it could work if properly backed and perhaps attached to an eCommerce storefront that would allow you to order said parts directly from the application hosting the 3D builds.