Start-Up Spotlight: 3DTankMod

Founded by Sarunas Endriuska, 3DTankMod designs and produces high-quality 3D printed scale model tanks and military vehicles for hobbyists, tabletop gamers and collectors. The company specialises in detailed resin kits suitable for painting, dioramas and wargaming, with a focus on historical accuracy, craftsmanship and enthusiast-grade quality.

Sarunas: “3DTankMod started from a long-standing passion for a video game I played for about 10 years. Over time, that interest grew into a desire to create something physical and real from the inspiration the game gave me. That is how the business began, by turning my love for military vehicles and design into 3D models and 3D-printed prototypes.

“My work focuses on designing vehicles and producing physical 3D printed models for hobbyists, collectors, wargamers, and model enthusiasts. I create detailed models for display, gaming, and custom projects.

“3DTankMod is run entirely by me, so the team is currently just one person. Being a solo business means I’m personally involved in every part of the process, from design and printing to preparation and customer service. This helps me keep the work personal and maintain close attention to quality.”

The SOLIDWORKS for Start-Ups Scheme

Sarunas: “I found out about the SOLIDWORKS Start-Up Scheme while looking for professional tools to help me grow my business. As a small business owner, it immediately felt like a really good opportunity, especially because it offers both the software and support from the team.

“The application process was straightforward and intuitive. It genuinely felt as though SOLIDWORKS aims to empower small businesses by providing them with essential tools to excel in design.”

Would you recommend the SOLIDWORKS for Start-Ups Scheme?

Sarunas: “Yes, absolutely, I would recommend it. The primary benefit for me has been financial. In the early years of a business, investing in software can be challenging, so this program enables small businesses like mine to access professional tools, master the software, and grow over three years without major financial strain.

“I would recommend SOLIDWORKS to other engineers and designers because it gives you the tools to turn ideas into real, professional designs. It helps you work with precision, improve efficiency, and develop products with much more confidence. For me, it is especially valuable because it supports both the creative and technical sides of design, and that combination is very important when creating physical models and products.”

3DTankMod design process

Sarunas: “My design process usually begins with selecting a vehicle or model and researching reference images and details so I can understand its proportions and structure. I then create the model from scratch in 3D, building each part carefully and refining the design step by step.

“SOLIDWORKS fits into this process from start to finish. It helps me create the model with much greater precision, refine the design, and prepare it for prototyping and production. It also gives me the tools to present the final work more professionally, especially through technical drawings and assembly guidance. For me, it plays an important role not only in design, but also in improving the quality, functionality, and presentation of the final product.”

Tell us about using SOLIDWORKS

Sarunas: “Although I’ve not yet fully used everything SOLIDWORKS offers, one feature that already feels priceless to me is the ability to create professional drawings for my models. Up to now, one of my biggest challenges has been not being able to provide proper assembly instructions for my customers, so this could make a huge difference for my business.

“SOLIDWORKS helps me present my products more professionally and improve the customer experience, especially when it comes to building and understanding the models.”

Working with Visiativ

Sarunas: “I would describe Visiativ’s SOLIDWORKS technical support team as exceptional. My first training session with Dylan and Jak was highly informative and engaging. I gained valuable knowledge, the session was expertly delivered, and I enjoyed it so much that I immediately registered for two additional sessions. This experience increased my motivation to continue learning and growing.

“Early engagement manager, Tom, has consistently provided outstanding guidance throughout my SOLIDWORKS journey. He’s offered steady support, checking in with me at each stage. This level of assistance has been immensely helpful, particularly as a small business owner balancing learning with ongoing development.”

What’s next?

Sarunas: “In the next 5 to 10 years, I would like to see 3DTankMod grow into a globally recognised brand that customers trust for quality, originality, and attention to detail. My goal is to build a strong reputation not only among hobbyists and collectors, but also within the wider modelling and engineering community. I want people to recognise 3DTankMod as a business that delivers reliable, well-designed products and continues to improve and innovate over time.

“I also see the business developing far beyond static 3D models for games and display. One of my long-term ambitions is to expand into more advanced products, including radio-controlled vehicles and other moving mechanical models. That would allow me to take the business in a more technical, engineering-focused direction while still staying true to the passion that started it.

“SOLIDWORKS will play a very important role in that growth. It will help me move from creating simple digital models to developing more complex, functional designs with greater precision and professionalism. As I continue learning and improving my skills, SOLIDWORKS will give me the tools to design stronger, more detailed, and more advanced products that can support the future direction of the business. In many ways, I see it as one of the key tools that can help turn 3DTankMod from a small independent business into a recognised brand with a much wider reach.”

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