Comments on: Forget Crowd-Sourced T-shirts: Print Objects In 3D

By: Ethan

Ethan — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 03:13:59 +0000

The nice thing about Shapeways though is that it gives options for very fine materials, down to .5mm in detail for printing jobs, this reduces time and effort needed to smooth out the object to make it look nice.

By: links for 2008-07-23 | Why I FAILED

links for 2008-07-23 | Why I FAILED — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:21:13 +0000

[...] Forget Crowd-Sourced T-shirts: Print Objects In 3D Shapeways can print anything you want in 3D. Now. (tags: trends marketing) [...]

By: An update on Transreality « Furture of

An update on Transreality « Furture of — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:00:33 +0000

[...] has an article that goes into more detail “Forget Crowd-Sourced T-shirts: Print Objects In 3D”. They cover [...]

By: Marc

Marc — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:20:23 +0000

Also take a look at fabidoo ( http://www.fabidoo.com ) who offer 3D printing for the masses. They have nice community features like weeky design contests, a simple to use editor and high quality 3D-printouts.
Cheers marc

By: Shapeways: 3D Printing Gets Easier | PSFK - Trends, Ideas & Inspiration

Shapeways: 3D Printing Gets Easier | PSFK - Trends, Ideas & Inspiration — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:25:58 +0000

[...] [via TechCrunch] [...]

By: smack

smack — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:13:21 +0000

Yes, I can finally design that custom dildo I’ve always wanted to make, but never had the insta-3d object website to pull it off. Hello baseball on one end.

By: jeff hock

jeff hock — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:35:58 +0000

There are a few guys out there trying to do this but the sales model doesn’t work well. The costs are too high to mass market it. The best one so far is http://www.figureprints.com/ It is run by an ex Microsoft big shot with lots of money and they still can’t turn a profit.

Here is another one http://www.landprint.com/ – custom 3D terrain models using Z Corp technology. And another one http://www.jujups.com/ – custom picture frames using Z Corp technology.

By: 3D printing coming soon! | WhiteSandsDigital.com

3D printing coming soon! | WhiteSandsDigital.com — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 02:08:33 +0000

[...] a real-time cost estimate. Within 10 working days, a tangible 3D product is produced and shipped.read more | digg [...]

By: General Fabb

General Fabb — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:10:44 +0000

Shapeways is one of many different 3D print services, all of which try to address a different niche. Some specialize in figurines, architectural models, jewelry, and some provide hard-core .STL printing for arbitrary designs. Some are dead-easy for use by newbies, and others require professional training and software to use them.

It’s a burgeoning market that we cover daily on our 3D Printing and Digital Fabrication blog: http://fabbaloo.com. We report on 3D devices, services and especially unusual uses of this really interesting technology.

By: chase

chase — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:48:18 +0000

I was thinking the same thing. I did this in Industrial Engineering minor classes and the technology was fairly old. Small businesses have always had local businesses that will 3D prototype anything they wish that has been designed with the proper software. I’m not sure this would take off because you know the average consumer doesn’t just crack open solid works and start cranking out their new invention.

By: JB

JB — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:33:28 +0000

looks awesome!

By: Creates 3d objects from your drawings with webservice (we have invites)

Creates 3d objects from your drawings with webservice (we have invites) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:28:28 +0000

[...] have seen online services for T-shirts, mousepads and tea. Techcrunch pointed us to a new Dutch webservice that can create 3d sculptures, the service understands various [...]

By: Pantrybear

Pantrybear — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:45:34 +0000

The only thing new here is that this site is aimed at the home brew and craft market and not at engineering professionals. This is not a criticism, it’s a good thing that someone is making this technology more accessible to the mass market. But, there is nothing revolutionary about the technology.

As a mechanical engineer, I order rapid prototypes almost on a weekly basis from sites like http://www.approto.com and http://www.quickparts.com. These technologies have been widely available for almost 20 years and easily available on the web for 10 years.

The materials and prices shown on the site are the same that any other rapid prototyper offers (although most have a minimum order of around $250).

By: Jerome Brock

Jerome Brock — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:18:55 +0000

Another site operating in the US with many different materials and capabilities: eMachine Shop

http://www.emachineshop.com/

By: Joseph Flaherty

Joseph Flaherty — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:48:01 +0000

It will be interesting to see is how this service is utilized. Can they become the VistaPrint of 3D Printing and dominate prototype work coming our of R&D Labs? Or could they make a business serving the deviantart 3D community?

It seems like the biggest challenge in going after a consumer segment is the skill base with 3D CAD. It is fairly dificult to master relative to 2D programs. Even looking at Ponoko, the quality of work is highly uneven. It does require a lot of skill to create 3D objects and I wonder if they can provide enough tools to facilitate that.

Also, the points about finishing are key. We have a 3D printer in our office and the biggest time sink by far is sanding and painting. In any case, very cool idea good luck to them.

By: Marcel

Marcel — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:06:49 +0000

How about IP? Can you register one’s creation?
How about colouring the designed objects is this already possible or will it be in the near future.. I am very curious (love the concept)

By: MarillaAnne

MarillaAnne — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:13:05 +0000

A slightly non-average woman with graying hair says, “OMG OMG my SL creations OMG … I could create RL.”

Ya’ll figure out the translation … might not be average consumer interest … might be wave of the future average consumer interest … hide in the bushes and watch.

Enjoy have fun

By: Breakfast Links: Custom 3D Printer, DNA Romance & Creationists Fail

Breakfast Links: Custom 3D Printer, DNA Romance & Creationists Fail — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:11:33 +0000

[...] this is awesome. TechCrunch just reported on Shapeways, I guess it’s kinda like a Threadless, but for 3D plastic objects. [...]

By: Rutger

Rutger — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:05:05 +0000

I think the idea behind a 3D-design-community of is brilliant. Especially when the technology is moving rapidly. This means learning from each other will become important, a community can provide this.

Also, it means that we can literally build upon each other’s work.

By: Peter

Peter — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:42:04 +0000

What is new and attractive is that we offer a combination of
- Affordable prices
- A wide choice in materials
- Inspiring community

kind regards,
Peter

By: NaS

NaS — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:34:21 +0000

Coolio!! I want one…

By: Ralph

Ralph — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:33:24 +0000

Wow! I’m impressed!

By: Ascanio

Ascanio — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:02:19 +0000

Absolutely, there is nothing new here. It’s just rapid prototyping.

I don’t really see any attraction here for the average consumer. On the other side, small design companies will require much more advanced services.

Producing a polymeric model is not a big deal (3D printers are getting really cheap to buy and operate).
The difficult part is finishing, which requires either A LOT of handcrafting or VERY expensive hardware.

A maquette for the TechCrunch Internet Tablet would be easily done with LD polyurethane, hand crafted and finished. Or with wood.

Finishing a 3D print will require a lot of sanding and numerous layers of paint to achieve a good effect.

By: Lloyd

Lloyd — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:43:04 +0000

Umm yeah, its called rapid prototyping … its been covered in many quality publications like Wired. You might want to have a look at something called ‘reprap’ to understand where the future is at.

By: Joris

Joris — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:40:57 +0000

Ponoko is a place where you can buy or sell jewlery, don’t get me wrong, it’s a great site. But, Shapeways allows you to design, produce and customize any 3D object. It’s a different business.

So do you guys believe in personalised production? or will everything continue to be mass produced?