Is Chel - The Road to El Dorado - Toon worth buying right now?
Chel for resin printers who want a character that actually holds up on the shelf
You know the frustration of downloading a character STL, hitting print, and ending up with a blob of resin or a figure that looks like it was scanned from a low-poly game asset. You want a character that looks like the movie, prints cleanly on a standard machine, and sits on your shelf without needing to be glued back together in five places. That is the specific gap Chel - The Road to El Dorado - Toon from Tanuki Figures is trying to fill.
For $12, you are not just buying a file; you are buying a tested print solution for a 7.4-inch figure. If you have been searching for a high-quality, toon-styled Chel that respects the original character design while remaining print-friendly for standard resin printers, this is a strong candidate. It skips the guesswork of slicing a raw, unsupported mesh and hands you the exact settings and files needed to get a clean result.
Quick answer
| Best for | Resin printer owners who want a movie-accurate, toon-styled Chel that is already print-tested and includes assembly support. |
| Skip if | You only use FDM printers, need a figure smaller than 7 inches, or are looking for a free model. |
| Price | $12 |
| Format | No-supported and pre-supported STL files, LYS project files, render images, and a printing guide. |
| One-line take | A reliable, print-tested character model that saves you the headache of figuring out supports and scale yourself. |
What you’re actually buying
At $12, the value here comes from the “ready-to-print” aspect. Most cheap STLs are just geometry; they don’t care if your printer can handle the overhangs or if the scale is right for a shelf display. Tanuki Figures includes no-supported and pre-supported STL files, which means you can either slice it yourself with total control or just load the pre-supported version and hit print. For a character with Chel’s flowing hair and dynamic pose, that pre-supported file is worth the price of admission alone.
The pack also includes editable pre-support project files in LYS format. If you use Lychee Slicer, you can open the project, tweak the support density, or adjust the orientation without starting from scratch. This is a rare inclusion for single-figure packs and shows that the seller understands the workflow of a serious resin printer. You aren’t just getting a static file; you’re getting a project file that respects your specific slicer preferences. (Chel - The Road to El Dorado - Toon)
The figure stands 7.40 inches (18.8 cm) tall, with a footprint of roughly 2.87 inches by 2.87 inches. That is a substantial size for a character figure, making it a true shelf presence rather than a tiny desk toy. The Printing & Scale Guide included in the ZIP details the default settings used for testing, specifically referencing SunLu Standard resin. While you should always adjust for your specific resin brand, having a known “good” starting point for a 7-inch print is incredibly useful. It tells you the layer height, exposure times, and lift speeds that worked for this specific geometry. (Chel - The Road to El Dorado - Toon)
Finally, the ZIP includes render images and an assembly video. The renders let you inspect the details before you commit a week of resin to the print, and the assembly video is a safety net for the one part of the process that can still go wrong: putting the pieces together. For a $12 model, the inclusion of assembly instructions and high-res renders is a level of customer care you don’t often see in the 3D printing market. (Chel - The Road to El Dorado - Toon)
Why it’s on our radar
This model is interesting because it targets a specific niche: fans of The Road to El Dorado who want a stylized, “toon” version of Chel rather than a hyper-realistic or chibi take. The “toon” style is often harder to print than realistic styles because it involves smoother surfaces and distinct color breaks, which can be tricky for resin printers to handle without artifacts. Tanuki Figures has clearly tested this specific style for printability, which is the main reason to choose this over a generic fan-made model.
The fact that it is print-tested is the key differentiator. In the 3D printing community, “untested” models are a gamble; you might spend hours printing only to find a hidden hole or a support structure that snaps the part in half. By providing pre-supported files and a guide with specific resin recommendations, Tanuki Figures is removing that risk. You are paying for the confidence that the file will actually work on your machine. (Chel - The Road to El Dorado - Toon)
What actually matters
Before you hit buy, check your printer’s build plate size. A 7.4-inch figure is large. If you are running a smaller printer (like a 4-inch or 5-inch build volume), you will need to scale it down significantly, which might affect the detail. This model is best suited for printers with a build volume of at least 6x6x6 inches (150mm x 150mm x 150mm) to print at scale or slightly larger. (Chel - The Road to El Dorado - Toon)
Verify your slicer compatibility. The editable files are provided in LYS (Lychee Slicer) format. If you use Chitubox, 3DPrinterOS, or another slicer, you will be relying on the STL files. The STLs are provided in both no-supported and pre-supported versions, so you are covered, but the LYS file is a bonus for Lychee users. If you are a heavy Lychee user, this is a nice touch; if not, it doesn’t change the value of the STLs. (Chel - The Road to El Dorado - Toon)
Consider the resin you use. The guide details settings for SunLu Standard resin. If you use a different resin (like Elegoo, Anycubic, or a flexible resin), you will need to adjust your exposure and lift settings. The guide is a starting point, not a universal recipe. If you are new to resin printing, this guide is a helpful educational resource; if you are an expert, you will likely override most of these settings anyway. (Chel - The Road to El Dorado - Toon)
Check the assembly requirements. The ZIP includes an assembly video, which implies the figure is printed in multiple parts. This is standard for characters of this size to avoid print failures, but it does mean you will need to spend time cleaning and gluing the pieces. If you want a single-piece print, this might not be the right model. However, for a 7-inch character, multi-part printing is almost always necessary for success, so this is a feature, not a bug. (Chel - The Road to El Dorado - Toon)
Mid-check
If you have a resin printer and a love for The Road to El Dorado, this is a low-risk, high-reward purchase. The files are tested, the guide is specific, and the price is fair for a character of this size and detail. (Chel - The Road to El Dorado - Toon)
FAQ
Is this model suitable for FDM printers? No. This is a resin printing model. The details, smooth surfaces, and thin features of a toon-styled character are not well-suited for FDM (filament) printers. You will likely see layer lines and poor surface finish. Stick to resin for this file. (Chel - The Road to El Dorado - Toon)
Do I need to add my own supports? You have the choice. The pack includes pre-supported STL files if you want to skip the slicing process. It also includes no-supported STL files if you prefer to slice and support the model yourself in your preferred slicer. This flexibility is one of the best features of the pack. (Chel - The Road to El Dorado - Toon)
What is the “toon” style? “Toon” refers to a stylized, cartoon-like aesthetic. It is not a hyper-realistic portrait, nor is it a chibi (super-deformed) version. It aims to capture the character’s likeness in a way that is friendly and print-friendly, with smooth surfaces and clear features. (Chel - The Road to El Dorado - Toon)
Can I use this for commercial purposes? The listing does not explicitly state commercial license terms in the provided excerpt. You should check the full license agreement on the Gumroad page before using the model for any commercial products. Typically, these models are for personal use only unless a specific commercial license is purchased.
Bottom line
Chel - The Road to El Dorado - Toon is a solid choice for resin printers who want a high-quality, print-tested character figure without the hassle of figuring out supports and scale. At $12, you get a 7.4-inch figure, pre-supported files, editable LYS projects, and a detailed printing guide. It is a well-rounded package that respects the time of the buyer and the quality of the print. If you have a resin printer and a shelf that needs a little more personality, this is a safe and satisfying purchase.