3D Printed Barbie Armor In Development

By on March 20th, 2014 in Usage

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A new Kickstarter project hopes to create a suit of armor for Barbie dolls that you will be able to download. 

The project is led by Zheng3, a well-known 3D print operator, who was inspired to create the armor as a gift for his four-year-old niece. The armor is intended to be distributed digitally, but the project enables the design of detailed “filigrees, engravings, gewgaws, gubbinses, and assorted skeuomorphisms” to be placed on shields and the like. 

If you’re wondering about the legality of creating artifacts related to a commercial product such as Barbie, Zheng3 says: 

It’s important to note that I’m not now and never have been associated with Mattel, undisputed masters of Barbie and all her associated trademarks. I’m just some dude cranking out 3d models in his basement.

The project offers a number of widely-priced rewards, ranging from a mere USD$1 up to USD$300. The differences relate to digital vs. physical models, number of pieces and ability to customize pieces with your own artwork. 

While this may not be a groundbreaking project by any means, it is interesting to reflect on the mere presence of this project: could this have even been attempted ten years ago? Five years ago? We think not. 

And now it’s an entirely normal thing to do. 

Via Kickstarter