Bambu Lab released an interesting new service called “PrintU”.
PrintU leverages recent advances in image to 3D technology, where 3D models are generated from images using AI technology.
It is a little different from other image to 3D services, which attempt to replicate the image as a whole in 3D form. Here the goal is to create a bobblehead from the image.
Like all image to 3D services, PrintU follows a two-stage path. First a 2D image of the proposed result is produced. Then, after verification from the user, that image is used to generate the final 3D model.
And again like all such services, there is considerable processing required, so expect some delays as computations occur. In my case the 2D generation was forecasted to be a 1.7 minute wait, but in fact it started running after only a few seconds. That’s excellent expectation management, Bambu Lab!
The 3D model generation does take substantially longer to complete, as it is a more complex process.
PrintU provides a full record of your parameters choices, making it possible to redo steps to refine the generation.
Does PrintU have a cost for use? Yes and no. You can freely use the generation tools as much as you want to arrive at the perfect bobblehead. However, Bambu Lab does demand some credits to both edit and export your figurine. Somehow I had a non zero credit balance — perhaps Bambu Lab recharges you for initial use?
For ten credits, you can edit the generated figure. It’s possible to add a base with varying textures, add a name plate and change the colors. The editor includes re-posing tools, but for some reason my model was “rigid” and it did not work. Perhaps a future version of PrintU will allow re-posing.
Finally, you export your 3D model. Interestingly, you can choose the Bambu Lab 3D printer model at export time. Output formats include 3MF, STL, GLB or just the 2D concept image, in the image at top.
Amazingly, the 3MF file contains the colors necessary to print the figurine. Here you can see the resulting model in BambuStudio, where the colors are represented. However, in this case it is unlikely for me to provide eight very slightly different colors, so it’s going to be a job to remap the colors to what I have available.
PrintU is an interesting feature that is very straightforward to use. It’s likely that many Bambu Lab 3D printer operators will make use of PrintU to produce bobbleheads of friends and family. Or anyone for that matter — you need only have a 2D image of the subject.
Let the bobbleheads begin!
Via PrintU
