A closer look at the bird-inspired creations admired by Phrozen CEO Ray Wu, and the artist bringing them to life through 3D design and resin printing.
The Artist Behind the Birds on the CEO’s Desk
Brade Hu’s birds are a favorite on CEO Ray Wu’s desk and a standout at Phrozen HQ.
Visitors to Phrozen CEO Ray Wu’s office might notice a small flock of birds resting quietly on the meeting table. These aren’t taxidermy pieces or mass-produced figurines. They’re incredibly detailed 3D-printed models, created by Taiwanese artist Brade Hu and printed with Hyperfine resin.
Each one looks like it belongs in a museum exhibit. The feathers, the postures, even the way the light catches on their wings—it’s all intentional. These pieces have caught the attention of many, not just for how they look, but for what they represent: a mix of artistry, craftsmanship, and deep respect for nature.
That curiosity led us to learn more about the person behind the models. As it turns out, Brade’s story is just as fascinating as his work.
Meet Brade Hu
Brade didn’t start out sculpting birds. As a kid, he loved putting together Gundam models and racing Mini 4WD cars. At the same time, he was also the type of child who could spend hours watching insects or tracking animals in the wild. Both interests stuck with him as he grew older.
When he eventually discovered 3D modeling, it gave him a new outlet that combined both sides of his personality. He could build, observe, and create—without having to choose just one.
He chose birds as his main subject partly out of curiosity and partly out of necessity. Quality 3D bird models were rare, and birds themselves are tricky to study up close. They’re quick, skittish, and usually far away. Creating them in 3D allowed him to slow everything down. He could study their shapes, their movement, and their personality, then recreate all of it in a form people could touch and appreciate.
His goal is to make models that are accurate enough for study, yet beautiful enough to sit on a shelf. And judging by the growing interest in his work, he’s succeeding.
How the Models Come to Life
Brade Hu sculpts each bird with precision, blending science and art in every piece.
Brade isn’t a full-time artist. He works a regular day job, which means his creative time starts late. Most of his modeling happens between 10 PM and the early hours of the morning. It’s a quiet window where he can focus without distractions, slowly shaping each piece from idea to finished design.
Creating one bird model isn’t something that happens quickly. From gathering reference photos and studying the species, to sculpting the body, refining feather details, adjusting the pose, and prepping the model for print—it usually takes over a month to complete just one.
He collects bird photography and builds a personal reference library. A lot of his ideas come from daily observations. Watching birds fly, noticing their postures, or studying their unique silhouettes often sparks a new concept. These small details help him make each model feel lifelike and believable.
Printing is only part of the equation. Brade also works closely with taxidermists and researchers to better understand bird anatomy. His goal is not just to make a model that looks good, but one that holds up under closer study. Every model he finishes can be scaled to 1:1 size, making it suitable for both display and educational use.
The Challenge of Feathers
Out of all the birds Brade has modeled so far, the most difficult one has been the Mikado Pheasant, a species native to Taiwan. At first glance, it might just look like a beautiful bird with layered plumage. But when it comes to modeling and printing, that plumage turns into a technical puzzle.
The bird’s body alone has more than ten types of feathers, each with different shapes and angles. Capturing that in a 3D model requires careful planning. It’s not just about sculpting the feathers accurately, but also figuring out how to position and support them so they can be printed without collapsing or losing their shape.
It was an incredibly time-consuming process, but also one of the most rewarding. The finished model didn’t just look right—it felt right. And for Brade, that’s what makes the effort worth it.
Premium Value in Every Layer
Brade Hu’s collection isn’t just for show — each piece is modeled with real anatomical accuracy.
One thing people often notice is that Brade’s model files are priced higher than most others online. Some cost ten times more than a typical STL file. That’s not a mistake — it’s a choice.
Brade isn’t interested in mass sales or quick downloads. His models are made for collectors, educators, and people who genuinely value the work behind them. Setting a higher price helps protect the integrity of the files and makes them easier to manage in terms of licensing and copyright. It’s a way to prevent misuse or unauthorized sharing, which is a common problem in the 3D model space.
But beyond that, there’s real value built into every file. Each model is backed by research. Brade studies each bird’s proportions, references museum specimens, and even consults with taxidermists to get the anatomy right. The poses are carefully designed to reflect realistic behavior, whether it’s a kingfisher mid-dive or a pheasant on alert. These aren’t quick prints — they’re works of careful craftsmanship.
And because the files can be scaled up to life-size, they’re not just collectibles. They can be used in classrooms, museums, or research settings. You’re not just buying a bird model. You’re buying an experience rooted in science, design, and respect for the natural world.
More Than Just Decor
When people see Brade’s models for the first time, they often think of them as display pieces. And sure, they look great on a shelf or a desk. But that’s not where their purpose ends.
Brade designs with function in mind. He considers each bird’s natural habitat, posture, and behavior. He doesn’t just want people to print a model and forget it. He wants them to learn something along the way — about the bird’s life, its role in the ecosystem, and its place in the real world.
That mindset has already opened doors to unexpected collaborations. Academic groups from Taiwan, the U.S., and Hong Kong have reached out to use his models in research and education. A few notable examples include:
- The Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, which used his Chinese Crested Tern model for observation and public outreach
- Kaohsiung Medical University, where one of his owl models supported a graduate student’s research on bird behavior
These kinds of uses weren’t part of Brade’s original plan. But they’ve confirmed something he suspected all along — that these models could serve a purpose beyond personal enjoyment. They could teach, inspire, and help people connect with birds in a more meaningful way.
Birds of Taiwan: A Long-Term Goal
Brade has no shortage of ideas for future models. But one dream stands out: creating a full series of Taiwan’s iconic birds, especially its native raptors and pheasants. These species aren’t just visually stunning — they also carry deep cultural and ecological significance.
He’s already started with the Mikado Pheasant, but the list doesn’t stop there. Some of the birds on his radar include the Crested Goshawk, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Brown Wood Owl, Ring-necked Pheasant, and Swinhoe’s Pheasant. These birds are rare, often elusive in the wild, and not easy to observe in detail. That’s exactly why he wants to recreate them.
To Brade, this isn’t just about ticking boxes or completing a set. It’s about honoring the unique wildlife of Taiwan, bringing awareness to these species, and helping people appreciate them through a new medium. Each bird he models is a tribute — not just to nature, but to the land he calls home.
Favorites That Left a Mark
When asked which model he’s most proud of, Brade answers quickly: the Kingfisher.
It wasn’t just about the vibrant colors or charming silhouette. It was the first model he threw himself into completely. It was where he tested new sculpting techniques, made mistakes, and learned through trial and error. That project laid the foundation for the work he’s doing now, which is why it holds a special place in his heart.
Another favorite is the Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Brade had never even heard of the bird until someone online suggested it. He looked it up, found it fascinating, and decided to give it a shot. The process took him from zero knowledge to full research mode, and the final model turned out better than he expected. It also got a lot of love from the community, which made the effort even more rewarding.
For Brade, those two models represent something bigger than technical skill. They represent moments where curiosity led the way, and where the process of creation became a personal journey.
From Skeletons to Shared Knowledge
Aside from sculpting full-body bird models, Brade has also spent time working on something more behind-the-scenes — bird skeletons.
It started with a bit of online curiosity. While researching reference material, he came across international museums that had uploaded high-resolution 3D scans of animal specimens to Sketchfab. These digital collections functioned like open-access museums, available for anyone to explore. That idea stuck with him.
Brade soon connected with a few specimen experts in Taiwan and began thinking: what if he could scan bird skeletons himself? Not just for his own use, but to share with others — especially students, researchers, and educators.
Eventually, he began scanning real skeletons using the Revopoint MIRACO Pro. The initial scans capture around 60% of the structure, and Brade manually fills in the missing pieces through digital sculpting. Once complete, the models are exported as STL files, ready for printing.
What makes this project special is how he shares the results. There are two versions of each model:
- A free version, cleaned and optimized for printing, already scaled and supported for easy use in educational settings.
- A paid version, with supports removed, intended for people who want to scale the models, modify them, or use them in more customized ways. He charges a small $5 fee to cover the extra editing work.
This approach lets more people access high-quality biological models, especially in schools or public institutions that may not have resources for physical specimens. Teachers can now print and hold models that would otherwise be locked away in museum cabinets.
Looking Forward
Brade hopes that this skeleton-sharing project can be the beginning of something bigger — a push toward open educational resources powered by 3D printing.
In his eyes, 3D printing is more than just a hobby or a tool for making cool things. It’s a way to bring science closer to people, especially in places where access to real specimens is limited. With the right tools, anyone can hold a piece of anatomy in their hand, study the structure, and learn something new.
He believes Taiwan’s museums and academic institutions already hold a treasure trove of biological data. If more of these resources could be digitized and shared, the benefits for education, research, and public understanding would be enormous.
Until then, Brade is doing what he can — one feather, one bone, and one beautifully crafted model at a time.
Creating with Phrozen Hyperfine: Precision, Color, and Creative Flexibility
Hyperfine resin captures crisp detail in every shade, making it Brade Hu’s go-to for high-precision prints.
All of Brade Hu’s bird models were printed using Phrozen’s Aqua Hyperfine resin, a material built for artists and makers who care about capturing detail down to the finest edge. It’s tailored for ultra-high-resolution printers and is ideal for showcasing surface texture — whether you’re sculpting feathers, armor, or anything in between.
Phrozen Hyperfine comes in five refined shades: Green, Red, Blue, Graphite, and Clay. These slightly muted tones aren’t just for looks — they enhance visibility during printing and post-processing, helping you spot detail and finish your models more cleanly. Many users also appreciate that the colors photograph beautifully, especially when showcasing work online.
What makes Hyperfine even more flexible is how well the colors can be mixed and matched across different parts of a model. Want a contrasting wing? A base that makes the main figure pop? You can print separate parts in different colors for more visual depth, even before painting.
If you’re looking to replicate the kind of precision Brade achieves, Hyperfine gives you the surface quality and control to get there.