After the launch of Volumental, a cloud-based 3D scanning service, we had questions. Questions about how the service can and will be used, and where it’s headed in the future. We spoke with Ernest Ang, Business & Marketing at Volumental. Fabbaloo: What is a depth camera and how do you get one? Which specific… Continue reading Interview with a Volumental
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UPS Now Offers 3D Print Services
There’s now an official avalanche of 3D printing technology in the consumer space. First MCOR signed a deal to provide all Staples outlets with color-capable 3D printers. Then Cubify began supplying their Cube personal 3D printer to Staples as well. We’ve seen eBay introduce a 3D print category. Now, UPS joins the action by teaming… Continue reading UPS Now Offers 3D Print Services
Volumental’s Cloud-Based Scanning Service
Any 3D printer owner will soon realize they need more than just 3D models you can find or even buy. You need to scan stuff you own. You need to replicate. The trouble is, 3D scanning is difficult. You’re either spending tens of thousands of dollars on pricey equipment, software and training, or settling… Continue reading Volumental’s Cloud-Based Scanning Service
FabMe.it Launches
Another 3D model sharing site has launched, FabMe.it. The site operates in what is now becoming a standard business model: 3D designers upload their designs to the service for sale to the public. Presumably FabMe.it takes a portion of the sales, which for the models we inspected, seem to be priced around €0.99 (USD$1.30). … Continue reading FabMe.it Launches
CowFab: Post and Perform 3D Print Jobs
A competitor to MakeXYZ has emerged: CowFab. The service, like MakeXYZ permits owners of personal 3D printers to make some cash on the side by bidding on posted 3D print jobs. At this time CowFab has around a dozen 3D printer operators signed up, with some six projects. It’s obviously just starting up, but… Continue reading CowFab: Post and Perform 3D Print Jobs
The 3D-Lab Store
We’ve uncovered yet another 3D model store, the 3D-Lab Store. Like many similar ventures, Poland-based 3D-Lab Store offers shoppers the opportunity to select a 3D print from a set of models. Some of the pieces offer sizing and color choices, which is particularly useful for bracelets. Objects are printed in various colors of PLA… Continue reading The 3D-Lab Store
Makeshop Seeks Beta Testers
A new 3D model startup is looking for beta testers. Makeshop hopes to provide services to 3D designers and owners of 3D printers – and maybe a little extra cash. Spokesperson Billy Chism says: I am launching a site for 3D printer owners who want to design, print and sell their items easily either… Continue reading Makeshop Seeks Beta Testers
i.Materialise’s Size Charts
A confusing aspect of using 3D print services is the constraints you’ll find when selecting material for your 3D print. You may wonder why “this” is allowed, while “that” is not. The answer lies behind the curtain. The 3D print services may want you to think of them as a kind of “black box”… Continue reading i.Materialise’s Size Charts
Cubify’s Next Generation
You might recall Cubify’s 3DMe app that puts your head on a custom 3D printed Star Trek figurine? The next generation of the app now includes Star Trek: The Next Generation models. You can now select ST:TNG uniforms in either blue, gold or red. (We would strongly advise not selecting red, because, you know…)… Continue reading Cubify’s Next Generation
Use SculptGL To Quickly Make 3D Models
Here’s a free, web-based experimental tool that can quickly create interesting 3D models. SculptGL, created by Stéphane Ginier, provides a visual 3D model with very few tools. But the ones provided are sufficient to push, pull, tweak and pinch your model into the shape you want. SculptGL starts with a simple sphere, which you… Continue reading Use SculptGL To Quickly Make 3D Models
123D Design Gets Better
For those of you using Autodesk’s free 3D modeling utility, 123D Design, there is very good news: a new version has been released. The new version includes some very key features that were lacking until now: The ability to import existing STL files, critical for handling 3D scans captured elsewhere Text! You can… Continue reading 123D Design Gets Better
Polychemy’s Personalized Necklaces
Polychemy, a Singapore-based 3D print company now offers personalized 3D printed necklaces. The company, up to now, has offered a variety of 3D printed objects such as phone cases, sculptures and jewelry. Today they’ve launched a personalized feature in which your name can be 3D printed directly into jewelry models. The necklaces are composed… Continue reading Polychemy’s Personalized Necklaces
eBay Launches 3D Printing App
eBay, known for its auction and sales system, stepped deeply into 3D printing by launching a 3D print iOS app. The app (and service) isn’t revolutionary as it is similar to services launched by many 3D print companies, which provide a means to customize and print an object. eBay Exact permits users to browse… Continue reading eBay Launches 3D Printing App
My3DTwin Makes… You!
A new service based in the UK can produce a full color 3D print of people. The service requires an in-person visit to their studio where your 3D image will be captured in some detail by a “custom made” 3D scanner. The captured 3D model is quickly cleaned up and printed in full color… Continue reading My3DTwin Makes… You!
3D Modeling with Leopoly
A new browser-based 3D modeling tool has emerged: Leopoly. The new service presents simple-to-use methods of creating 3D objects. Leopoly focuses on the community dimension: created objects are shared among the community, who can build new objects based on yours. Tweeting, posting and tagging ensure wide visibility of Leopoly creations. Creating objects is… Continue reading 3D Modeling with Leopoly
THRE3D’s 3D Printing Directory
A new 3D printing online directory launches today: THRE3D provides a great index of materials, services and, of course, 3D printers. The site operates at a meta-level above manufacturer and resellers sites, providing an ability to compare offerings in a consistent manner. For example, if you’re interested in obtaining a spool of Laywoo-D3 wood… Continue reading THRE3D’s 3D Printing Directory
Cuboyo’s 3D Model Shop
With all the new printable 3D model shops opening online, you’d wonder how they can possibly distinguish one from another. We’ve been examining Cuboyo and found they offer a convenient online experience for 3D model shopping. The site contains only printable 3D models, greatly simplifying the shopping experience from typical and numerous 3D model… Continue reading Cuboyo’s 3D Model Shop
3D Printed Ponies!
Across the world today many people have 3D printers, but what do they make with them? We’re seeing inventive folks focus on very specific categories and styles of objects, each trying to eke out a business by servicing the needs of others. Student and artist Nyasu decided to make cute ponies with his 3D printer. … Continue reading 3D Printed Ponies!
Figulo Prints Ceramics
There is no shortage of 3D print services these days. Some are large, some are small, but virtually all of them have a strategy of expanding their scope as wide as possible. Consider Shapeways, who have the peculiar habit of adding new materials almost weekly, or Kraftwurx, who offer over 100 different materials. … Continue reading Figulo Prints Ceramics
3D Printing Price Check Update
What is 3DPrintingPriceCheck? It does exactly that. Jonas Neubert, creator of the online service, just released a significant update to the service, which now includes STL upload, instant quotes from some 3D print services, more materials and even lead time estimates. The service makes shopping for the best deal easy. You simply drag and… Continue reading 3D Printing Price Check Update
How Many Things at Thingiverse? Lots!
3D printing is taking off, if one believes the signals seen this year. Another milestone was reached last week by popular repository Thingiverse, who declared they now have over 100,000 3D models available. Thingiverse also released several interesting statistics. Apparently the number of models rose by 20,000 in just the past month. At this… Continue reading How Many Things at Thingiverse? Lots!
It’s Time To Inventory Cubify’s Apps
Over the past year Cubify has periodically released web apps for you to create customized designs. Some of the apps permit download of STL files for printing on your home 3D printer, and we suspect Cubify is hoping you’ll do it on your Cube 3D printer, even though the STL models could print on other… Continue reading It’s Time To Inventory Cubify’s Apps
Shapeways Flexes Its Materials
3D print service Shapeways has made a history of pioneering new 3D print materials for makers. Typically they experiment with a new idea and if it proves popular and feasible, they’ll add it to their growing list of material options. This week they announced a rather unusual material: “Elasto Plastic”. If the name makes… Continue reading Shapeways Flexes Its Materials
MakerBot – Autodesk Discount Available
If you happen to be interested in purchasing a MakerBot Replicator 2 personal 3D printer and a premium membership in Autodesk’s highly useful 123D apps, you’re in luck: there’s a discount available. If you upgrade from the free version of 123D to premium level, you’ll receive a USD$40 discount on purchase of a MakerBot… Continue reading MakerBot – Autodesk Discount Available
Let Yeggi Find Your 3D Models
Unless you’re a capable 3D designer, you’ll have to find pre-made 3D models to send to your 3D printer. This can be problematic for a couple of reasons: searching for non-textual items is always difficult; there are an increasing number of 3D model repositories to search. The latter is partially solved by the strangely… Continue reading Let Yeggi Find Your 3D Models
Cubify Releases “Draw”
Yet another easy-to-use Cubify app has been released: Draw. It’s actually an iOS app where you can simply “draw” a shape with your finger. The shape drawn is a 2D trace, but the Draw app expands its thickness and extrudes it into a solid shape. You’re permitted to either email the corresponding STL file… Continue reading Cubify Releases “Draw”
3D Hacker’s Many Services
We were contacted by Andrew Mazzotta, who, with Adam Pirie, have created “3D Hacker”, a multipurpose website serving the needs of the 3D printing community. The website acts much like a “3D Printing Kijiji”, where members can add listings in several categories, such as: parts, kits, printers, software, tools, tutorials, jobs, events, clubs and… Continue reading 3D Hacker’s Many Services
FabFabbers Opens
Yet another 3D model sharing site has opened: FabFabbers. Like many such repositories, FabFabbers permits members to upload models, showcase them in listings for download by visitors. But what differentiates this repository from the rest? There are two features we found particularly interesting: uploaded models can actually be stored on GitHub, which is a… Continue reading FabFabbers Opens
Now You Can Go Where No One Has Gone Before
Cubify launched a new dynamic 3D model service specifically for Trekkies: Personalized 3D Printed Star Trek Figurines. If you never had a chance to appear on the show (and who could have?) you now can put yourself in a Star Fleet uniform. The USD$69.99 offer requires a bit of input from you, as do… Continue reading Now You Can Go Where No One Has Gone Before
Tinkercad Lives!
Our beloved Tinkercad lives again. The very popular web-based 3D modeling service was used by many due to its ease of use, web availability and inexpensive pricing. But in a move shocking everyone, the owners of Tinkercad announced it was closing as their business moved off into other ventures. But now, in a rather… Continue reading Tinkercad Lives!
Kees 3D Printed Cases
We’ve run across a new 3D print service called “Kees”, which specializes in personalized mobile phone cases. While there seems to be oh, a zillion iPhone case options out there, the Kees service permits significant customization, as you can see in the image below. Each option offers many different choices, with dozens of backgrounds and… Continue reading Kees 3D Printed Cases
iMakr’s 3D Print Service
iMakr opened a large 3D print retail store in London earlier this year. The store sells various types of 3D printers and offers the public a chance to see the technology first hand. Even though they haven’t been open very long, they’ve now added a new service: 3D prints on demand. It works… Continue reading iMakr’s 3D Print Service
3D Print Yourself in Carbonite At Disney
Disney is re-opening their D-Tech Star Wars experience at their Hollywood Studios part on May 17th. Why are we so interested in this? Because among the Star Wars-y stuff on display will be two 3D print services that you can be personally involved in. One service, which they had last year, involves taking a… Continue reading 3D Print Yourself in Carbonite At Disney
3D Genealogy with My People’s Tree
A new app from eliumstudio provides an ability to generate 3D printed genealogical trees. My People’s Tree, available at no charge on the iTunes app store, lets you specify names faces and relationships in true family tree style. Faces are created from uploaded photos. In our experiment it seemed that you need a clear,… Continue reading 3D Genealogy with My People’s Tree
Forme Offers Fantastic Scanned 3D Models
Another new source for 3D models has launched: Forme, focused on high-resolution scans of a wide variety of object categories. This model repository offers something quite different from the numerous other 3D model repositories that have popped up lately. Forme offers 3D scans, not modeled objects. They’re not provided in STL form, but instead… Continue reading Forme Offers Fantastic Scanned 3D Models
3D Burrito Sells 3D Models
Another commercial 3D model repository has launched: 3D Burrito. The service offers something for both makers and designers: makers can browse the selection of 3D models, choose and buy. A download later, you’ll be able to 3D print on your own 3D printer or upload to a 3D print service. For designers, 3D… Continue reading 3D Burrito Sells 3D Models
Staples’ First 3D Printing ‘Experience Centre’ goes live with Mcor Technologies
Mcor Technologies, Ltd. announced that its IRIS full-color 3D printers will be used exclusively in Staples’ first “Experience Centre” that has just opened at the Staples Office Center in Almere, The Netherlands. The Staples Experience Centre provides a hands-on 3D printing experience where consumers can learn all about 3D printing. Visitors will be able… Continue reading Staples’ First 3D Printing ‘Experience Centre’ goes live with Mcor Technologies
Fabbing in Russia and Ukraine
3D printing exists almost everywhere in the world. Our blog receives visits from hundreds of countries, so it’s no surprise to find 3D printing activity in Ukraine and Russia. We came across Stereolia, who provide 3D printing services from the Ukraine and serving Russia. Stereolia operates a 3D print shop, where designers can upload… Continue reading Fabbing in Russia and Ukraine
Flexiscale Makes Your Railway Models
Flexiscale is a UK-based company specializing in making model railway kits that you can spend enjoyable time assembling. While the practice of model building has been a hobby for many decades, Flexiscale is now approaching the development of kits with modern technology. They use advanced 3D scanning technology to fully capture 3D scans of… Continue reading Flexiscale Makes Your Railway Models
Cubify Launches 3DMe
Billed as “Personalized 3D Printed Figurines”, the new Cubify 3DMe service does just that. Upload a photo of a face and paste it on one of several pre-made figurines and they’ll 3D print you. Literally. There’s quite a large selection of figurines to choose from, including Male/Female, Sports, Jobs, Costumes and Occasions. For example,… Continue reading Cubify Launches 3DMe
You Should Check Out ShouldBee
The explosion of 3D model repositories and services continues. Today we’re checking out ShouldBee, a USA-based service that develops 3D models from which you can purchase full color 3D prints. We found ShouldBee’s process a little different from the typical “we have a pile of models, pick one” approach used by other model repositories.… Continue reading You Should Check Out ShouldBee
Azavy Launches
Last Saturday saw the silent launch of a new service dedicated to helping you find inexpensive ways to 3D print. Four-person startup Azavy is a kind of network between Consumers, Designers and Makers. Designers will be able to sell their designs on Azavy to Consumers, who can shop among a variety of themes and… Continue reading Azavy Launches
PanaShape’s Differences
There are multiple “upload and 3D print” sites available today, but Brian Bauman of PanaShape wants you to know their service is slightly different. Yes, PanaShape permits upload of STL 3D model files – and the service creates animated 3D renderings as well as live-quoting your price to produce the model. They are able… Continue reading PanaShape’s Differences
Would You Share a 3D Printer?
One secret known by 3D printer owners is that they can be a lot of work and expense. They are more expensive than consumer-grade paper printers and require much more care and feeding to get good results. These may discourage some from buying their own 3D printer. But now there could be another option:… Continue reading Would You Share a 3D Printer?
Shapeways To Gain Even More Materials?
A posting on Shapeways blog solicits applications for a new position at the 3D print service. The position? Here’s what they say: We are looking for a someone to help us to find and introduce new 3D printing materials and processes to Shapeways. This can only indicate they mean to dramatically increase the… Continue reading Shapeways To Gain Even More Materials?
grain’s Unusual Approach
We’re checking out a new online repository for printable 3D models: grain. There are many such repositories sprouting up recently, so what makes grain different? grain’s current inventory of models is a little thin, but that’s totally understandable given that it launched only recently. But there’s another twist we haven’t seen before: they don’t… Continue reading grain’s Unusual Approach
Try Miproto To Refine Your Design
Many people become attracted to 3D printing because they correctly believe they can print of many amazing things. But what they may not realize is that it takes great skill to design amazing things. Everyone is not an Industrial Designer. But don’t despair! A new service called Miproto can fix that. Miproto, created by… Continue reading Try Miproto To Refine Your Design
3D Industri.es Launches 3DPartSource
New UK startup company 3D Industri.es has launched its first product: 3D Partsource. It’s a repository specifically designed for 3D models of industrial components. Anyone who searches for 3D models knows the problem these guys are trying to solve immediately: it’s pretty much impossible to find appropriate 3D models using conventional text-based searches. You… Continue reading 3D Industri.es Launches 3DPartSource
Tinkercad Shuts Down
Oh woe. Tinkercad announced its pending demise, as the team developing it has been reassigned to another project. Launched in 2011, Tinkercad became the premier tool for web-based 3D model development. It even included direct hookups to various 3D print services, creating a very easy path to 3D prints for casual designers. By the end… Continue reading Tinkercad Shuts Down
Materialise Announces Flexible Material
Materialise, the industrial 3D print service, has announced a rather interesting material: TPU 92A-1. Despite the awkward and mysterious nomenclature, TPU 92A-1 offers a legendary feature: flexibility. The video above shows the amazing flex provided by TPU 92A-1. Not only is this material flexible, but it also is resistant to tearing, temperature and abrasion,… Continue reading Materialise Announces Flexible Material
Sculpteo’s Customizable Dock
3D print service Sculpteo has been experimenting with a variety of end-user customizable 3D models. Once customized, you can order a 3D print of the model through Sculpteo’s banks of expensive 3D printers. The latest end-user modifiable model they’re offering is an iPhone 5 dock. The customization offered is very straightforward: you can specify… Continue reading Sculpteo’s Customizable Dock
Find The Best 3D Printer?
We’ve learned of a new source for comparisons of 3D printers: FindTheBest.com, which is a comparison and review site for products and services of all types. Now they seem to have added a section for 3D printers, at least the less expensive ones. Their 3D printer section lists over 30 different devices as of… Continue reading Find The Best 3D Printer?
A 3D Printing Dreambox
Every school and office should have a Dreambox. It’s literally a 3D printing service in a box. A box that looks suspiciously like a vending machine. The machine works much like a 3D print service: you upload a 3D model from your computer or insert a USB stick into the Dreambox, which then sets… Continue reading A 3D Printing Dreambox
Sandboxr’s Figurine Service
There’s another 3D print service about to emerge: Sandboxr. It’s specialized for the easy creation of 3D figurines using a friendly interactive interface. The new service should enable you to create a unique figurine 3D model by posing a pre-made highly detailed 3D model prepared by professional artists. It appears very reminiscent of game… Continue reading Sandboxr’s Figurine Service
Defense Distributed Defends Itself
If you’ve been following 3D printing recently, you have surely heard of Defense Distributed, a controversial non-profit initiative to create printable 3D models of gun parts, led by Cody Wilson. Wilson’s talk at SXSW this week revealed their plan to develop and launch a new for-profit venture to distribute said 3D models: DefCAD.com. It’s… Continue reading Defense Distributed Defends Itself
Wirelessly Tag Your 3D Prints
Shapeways announced a very cool feature offered by their 3D print service: NFC tagging. If you haven’t heard of it, NFC stands for “Near Field Communication“, a short-range wireless technology. NFC is used in key fobs or other security devices. It simply receives a signal and responds with its own unique digital number. With… Continue reading Wirelessly Tag Your 3D Prints
It’s In PrintaBase
What’s PrintaBase? It appears to be a searchable repository of 3D printing information. No 3D models here, just meta information. Their tagline is: The most comprehensive database for everything 3D printing. Like you, we’re wondering why their logo says “PrintaBit Beta”, when their site is “PrintaBase”. More than likely this will be… Continue reading It’s In PrintaBase
The Mystery of Modelyst
In recent days we’ve observed several printable 3D model repository startups. Some are existing non-printable 3D model repositories hoping to get in on the 3D printing craze, but some are brand new and dedicated to 3D printable models. Which brings us to Modelyst. What is it? Well, we’re not exactly certain. They have… Continue reading The Mystery of Modelyst
A Spanish 3D Print Service
We’ve learned of a 3D print service based in Spain: Fabber.cc. This service provides basic 3D printing services, providing prints in ABS or PLA plastic. The service doesn’t have an interactive pricing mechanism, but you can send in your 3D model and receive a quote for the work. This service seems to follow… Continue reading A Spanish 3D Print Service
3D Printed Human Replacement Parts Approved
Oxford Performance Materials announced that it’s finally received US Food and Drug Administration clearance for their OsteoFab™ Patient Specific Cranial Device. This is a 3D printed medical implant designed to replace missing bone structures. The advantage of this approach, is of course that the replacement parts can precisely match the missing elements. Extreme personalization,… Continue reading 3D Printed Human Replacement Parts Approved
Shapeways Meets Up
We’ve frequently seen notices from Shapeways (and other companies) announcing meetups. The problem is that these meetups are rarely happening in your city. Sure, if you are a Manhattanite or a Londoner, perhaps, but most people simply aren’t nearby. Shapeways proposes to solve this dilemma by having a meetup – everywhere! They’ve announced… Continue reading Shapeways Meets Up
Polychemy Offers More 3D Prints
As interest in 3D printing grows, so does the requirement for amazing 3D prints. One interesting source is Polychemy, who market a collection of eclectic 3D prints by notable 3D artists. Their catalog is not particularly large, but there are some terrific models stored within, some of which we’ve actually covered earlier. Artists include… Continue reading Polychemy Offers More 3D Prints
Ultra-Lab Sells MakerBots
We’ve just discovered that MakerBot has yet another reseller, this time in Spain. Ultra-Lab sells the full line of MakerBot devices, including the Replicator Dual Extruder, Replicator 2 and the latest model, the Replicator 2X. In addition to MakerBot products, we understand that Ultra-Lab also sells plastic filament for the printers, electronics kits, e-textiles,… Continue reading Ultra-Lab Sells MakerBots
Controversy At 3DLT
You may not have heard about 3DLT. It’s an online “innovation hub” that attempts to provide 3D creators a web presence for marketing their designs. If you’re a designer you can join their program and create a mini-marketplace for your designs or receive requests for custom work. But where’s the controversy? Wired… Continue reading Controversy At 3DLT
Dongiverse
Oh dear. This was bound to happen. There’s now a parody of 3D model repository Thingiverse called, “Dongiverse”. As you might expect, it appears to hold actual 3D models related to its eponymous title. The site seems to be a layer on top of Thingiverse, as it simply links visitors to selected items in… Continue reading Dongiverse
makexyz Makes Your Stuff
You’re interested in 3D printing, but don’t have a 3D printer. You also don’t want to pay a high price to a 3D print service to obtain a print of your own 3D design. What do you do? One option, aside from finding a buddy with a 3D printer, is to use the makexyz… Continue reading makexyz Makes Your Stuff
Another 3D Print Retail Shop – In Paris!
After the initial experiments in retail storefronts for 3D printing products in places such as New York, we now see another retail operation has opened in Paris: PROTOSHOP. It seems the focus of PROTOSHOP (opened by the rapid prototyping company Multistation) is to provide Parisians with an opportunity to see, touch, ask questions about… Continue reading Another 3D Print Retail Shop – In Paris!
ProtoExchange Seeks a Decentralized 3D Printing Network
We were contacted by Jonathan Placa, who’s setting up a distributed 3D printing network called ProtoExchange. ProtoExchange will attempt to create an online bidding system, in which those desiring a 3D print will be connected with amateur 3D printer owners who will do the job. The advantage appears to be that the printer operator… Continue reading ProtoExchange Seeks a Decentralized 3D Printing Network
123D Offers Premium Memberships
We’ve seen Autodesk offer several incredibly (and totally free) useful web-based 3D tools, such as 123D Make, Catch and Design. Free tools are always welcome in a space where professional tools can cost many thousands of dollars. But you gotta wonder how Autodesk hopes to recover their investment in the 123D suite. How will… Continue reading 123D Offers Premium Memberships
KraftWurx Launches
The mysterious Kraftwurx finally appeared publicly last week at CES, where they showed off their new 3D print service. We spoke with founder Chris Norman, who explained they’ve recently received a patent award for his complex and detailed vision of a 3D print service. The concept is to combine an online “storefront” containing a… Continue reading KraftWurx Launches
Thingiverse Breaks Out In Apps!
It started as a simple free repository for patterns for personal making and then exploded into an overwhelming cacophony of 3D models. Thingiverse provides free content for 3D printing not only on MakerBot’s own line of 3D printers, but for any printer. That changes significantly as MakerBot CEO announced Thingiverse now includes programming… Continue reading Thingiverse Breaks Out In Apps!
Cubify’s AppCreate
Over the past few months we’ve noticed that 3D Systems has relentlessly built features in Cubify to provide generative models to print on their (and other’s) personal 3D printers. You can quickly get a customized 3D model of rings, pictures, bracelets, space aliens, earrings, crowns and probably a few more things after we’ve written this… Continue reading Cubify’s AppCreate
Sculpteo’s Strategy
At CES we dropped by the Sculpteo booth and had a chance to discuss the state of business with CEO and co-Founder Clément Moreau. Like most companies in the 3D printing space, Sculpteo is faced with the difficult question: “If you can print anything, what do you print?” The availability of printable 3D models… Continue reading Sculpteo’s Strategy
Cubify Capture Announced
Don’t have US$60,000 for a super accurate color 3D scanner? We don’t either, so instead we recommend you try Cubify’s latest app: Cubify Capture. It’s a terrifically simple method to produce a quality 3D scan of objects around you. Capture uses an approach that’s been used by others: a series of images taken of… Continue reading Cubify Capture Announced
Crayon Creatures!
In yet another easy-for-consumers 3D printing service, Crayon Creatures provides a way for your children to receive a 3D printout of their hand drawn crayon sketches. Using the service is incredibly easy, assuming you have a crayon sketch previously scanned into an image file. You simply upload the file, pay €99 (plus €15 for… Continue reading Crayon Creatures!
Shapeways’ Tetris Process
Our visit to Shapeways Factory of the Future revealed a fascinating technique they use to produce your objects. You might assume they take your order and then simply print it on one of their big machines. This is hardly the case, as they have to ensure the most efficient use of those big boys in… Continue reading Shapeways’ Tetris Process
Deep, Deep Inside Shapeways
During our recent visit to New York we journeyed to the peculiar neighborhood of Long Island City to visit one Duann Scott of Shapeways at their brand new “Factory of the Future”. Scott graciously showed us their operations in gritty detail. You’d never know Shapeways main plant is present in these streets and avenues of nameless… Continue reading Deep, Deep Inside Shapeways
Inside Shapeways
Forbes’ Andy Greenberg was able to get inside Shapeways’ New York City production facility to interview Duann Scott. In the video, Scott explains to the layman the process used by Shapeways, which is different from the typical plastic extrusion used by personal 3D printers: powder sintering. Scott explains that Shapeways includes a wide variety… Continue reading Inside Shapeways
Cubify’s Ornaments
Just in time for the holiday season, Cubify released a new 3D model generation tool, Cubify Ornaments. “Ornaments” joins several other very easy-to-use online tools capable of quickly generating 3D models suitable for 3D printing on your own printer. Similar to their other apps, the three-step process involves selecting a type of ornament, sizing… Continue reading Cubify’s Ornaments
Materialise’s 3D Barometer
Once you get into 3D printing you quickly realize that every 3D model is not the same. Some are easily 3D printed, some can successfully 3D print only using certain processes and others are simply pathological and can’t be successfully 3D printed. How do you know which one? Materialise has taken a step to… Continue reading Materialise’s 3D Barometer
BREAKING: Staples to Use Mcor IRIS in Copy Centers
In a blockbuster announcement, Mcor, the makers of the IRIS color 3D printing system based on plain old paper, say they’ve struck a huge deal with print services giant Staples to supply 3D printing equipment for their numerous print and copy centers. This will obviously take a while to implement, so Staples Printing Division… Continue reading BREAKING: Staples to Use Mcor IRIS in Copy Centers
Sculpteo’s Secret iPhone Case-Printing Service
We’ve been investigating Sculpteo’s new iPhone case service. You’ve seen these things before: select a cool iPhone case from a series of astounding designs and receive it in the mail, freshly 3D printed. But there’s quite a difference with Sculpteo’s new service. Yes, you select and receive a cool case. But it has an… Continue reading Sculpteo’s Secret iPhone Case-Printing Service
Another Cubify App: Pics
3D Systems’ Cubify division certainly likes you to do the designing. They’ve been pumping out “generator apps” for various 3D models for several months and now they’ve added on for pictures. The “Pics” app is rather simple compared to their other customizable models. You need only select a “frame” shape, upload your picture and… Continue reading Another Cubify App: Pics
MakerBot’s Photo Booth
It doesn’t exactly print photos, however. It prints sculptures! Of you! It can be found at MakerBot’s retail store in Brooklyn, NY. Team MakerBot has combined their Replicator 3D printing technology with ShapeShot 3D capture software into a booth setup to provide a true 3D printing “photo booth”. The ShapeShot involves several fixed cameras… Continue reading MakerBot’s Photo Booth
Mixee Me Launches
There’s always room for another design-it-yourself service and today is the launch of Mixee Me, a service specializing in personal design of figurines. The concept is straightforward: you aren’t able to design in 3D yourself, so you’d go to Mixee Me and use their incredibly easy web interface to design a personalized figurine. Your… Continue reading Mixee Me Launches
Digital Reality Announces Pro-Quote
Digital Factory announced a new plug-in service, Pro-Quote that can handle the preparation of cost estimates for 3D printing. Who can use this service? If you have a commercial 3D printer available and a website you can place Pro-Quote on your site and immediately accept 3D print requests. The Pro-Quote software presents a web… Continue reading Digital Reality Announces Pro-Quote
CubeHero Manages Your 3D Models
If you’ve made many 3D models you’ll soon encounter the problem of managing them. Which one is the correct one? Which copies are old and which are new? What changed between this version and that one? The software world has long solved these issues through the use of “change management software”, such as the… Continue reading CubeHero Manages Your 3D Models
i.Materialise Reduces Ceramics Price
If you’ve got a model requiring a cubic centimeter of ceramic to print, i.Materialise can print it for you at a lowered price of USD$0.18. Their ceramic material is particularly useful due to its smooth appearance, wide variety of kitchy colors, heat resistance and the fact that it’s food safe. You can produce functional… Continue reading i.Materialise Reduces Ceramics Price
There’s Only One One Just One
Some say that 3D printing is not useful for manufacturing due to the per unit cost of printing versus traditional mass manufacturing. That’s true, and so 3D printing is often used for prototypes and low-quantity production. Or even one-off personalized items. But now a venture attempts to push that concept to the limit. One… Continue reading There’s Only One One Just One
MediaGoblin Shares 3D Models
MediaGoblin, the open source project that enables easy sharing of media, has added the ability to share 3D models. Not familiar with MediaGoblin? Here’s their own explanation: MediaGoblin is a free software media publishing platform that anyone can run. You can think of it as a decentralized alternative to Flickr, YouTube, SoundCloud,… Continue reading MediaGoblin Shares 3D Models
A Swiss 3D Printer Seller
We just noticed a business selling 3D printers in Switzerland. Zurich-based 3D-Model (German: 3D Drucker kaufen) appears to resell a variety of 3D Systems gear, including not only the large commercial units such as the Projet, but also 3D Systems’ personal 3D printer line, Bits From Bytes. The company also offers 3D print services,… Continue reading A Swiss 3D Printer Seller
High Detailed Stainless Steel Prints at i.Materialise
3D print service i.Materialise now offers “high detailed stainless steel” materials for prints. As you can see in the sample print above, there is indeed a lot of detail visible. i.Materialise says that the new material is “between silver and titanium”. In other words, it’s shiny but still strong. The detail is such… Continue reading High Detailed Stainless Steel Prints at i.Materialise
Cubify’s Bugdroids
3D Systems’ Cubify service announced yet another 3D model creation service: Bugdroids! The new service joins several existing services that enable anyone to create fun 3D models directly from your browser. Like their previously released Robot Nation app, Bugdroids permits tons of droid customization, including various structural adornments as well as colored stamps. … Continue reading Cubify’s Bugdroids
Canadian Plastic
The pattern seems to be regionalization. Plastic filament supply shops specifically focused on 3D printing are emerging in many countries supplying primarily their local markets. We’ve seen shops open up in the US, UK, Switzerland, Netherlands and other places. Now there’s one in Canada, based in Montreal: Voxel Factory offers an extensive list of… Continue reading Canadian Plastic
A West-Coast 3D Printer Store
Two 3D printer stores, one on the east coast (MakerBot in Brooklyn, NY) and now another one to tell you about on the west cost: Deezmaker in Pasadena, CA. Deezmaker is the fruit of maker Diego Porqueras, who is also behind the Bukobot Kickstarter project. The intention is to sell not only the Bukobot,… Continue reading A West-Coast 3D Printer Store