There are a lot of inexpensive 3D scanners available today, but the issue is not so much the hardware, but how the software processes the scans. itSeez3D has produced a great 3D scanning app.
Software
Could Disney’s 3D Coloring System Make Amazing 3D Prints?
Disney has created an interesting 3D augmented reality app that is able to color 3D models, but could this benefit 3D printing?
123D Design Upgraded to 1.7 And Adds Some Very Useful Features
The free 123D suite of apps from Autodesk just got a lot better with the release of 123D Design 1.7.
The Many Plugins Available For OctoPrint
We’ve been looking through a site chock-full of plugins for 3D printer management software OctoPrint, and there’s some very useful functions present.
Aleph Objects Makes A Strategic Software Move
Aleph Objects, makers of the LulzBot series of 3D printers, announced what we consider to be a very strategic move for their software support.
Onshape Receives USD$80M; Fuel For Massive Growth
Upstart web-based 3D modeling service Onshape just raised a massive USD$80M from a group of venture capital investors, which may lead to a battle for 3D modeling supremacy in the future.
Want an Ember 3D Printer? Now You Can Build One Yourself!
Autodesk has released the firmware and electronics for their high resolution resin 3D printer, the Ember.
Microsoft Teams with netfabb In The Cloud
Microsoft and netfabb announced a partnership to extend their 3D print cloud services.
Simplify3D Expands to Support Many More 3D Printers
Independent slicing software maker Simplify3D has upgraded their product to now be compatible with around 200 different 3D printers.
Another MeshMixer Update For You To Download
Autodesk has released another update to their increasingly useful (and free) MeshMixer 3D utility.
Ultimaker: Cura is Rebuilt
Ultimaker announced a major upgrade to their 3D printing software, Cura.
netfabb Version 6 Released With Incredible New Features
Popular 3D model utility software netfabb has released version six, which includes several incredibly useful new features for manufacturing.
Polygonica’s Incredible New CAD Model Generation Feature
3D software MachineWorks announced an amazing new feature in their upcoming Polygonica release: the ability to automatically recognize 3D CAD features from a 3D mesh.
Are You Overflowing With 3D Models?
To use a 3D printer, you must have 3D models. But wait, exactly how many do you have? Probably far too many to keep track of.
Emendo 3D Repair Software Now Available For Windows and Adds an SDK
Avante Technology’s Emendo 3D model repair software has had a couple of major changes recently.
Autodesk’s “Within” Could Generate Industrial Change
Autodesk introduced a new product called, “Within” that generates lattice structures within 3D models. It could change everything.
OpenSCAD or OpenJSCAD For Programmatic 3D Modeling?
An interesting new open source project could significantly simplify things for online 3D print services: OpenJSCAD.
Should You Use Blender for 3D Printing? i.Materialise Thinks So
3D print service i.materialise published a pretty decent guide showing how to prepare 3D print files using Blender, but we’re wondering if Blender is the right tool for the job.
3D Printed Food for the Elderly?
A report on Capital Technologies describes a venture to provide 3D printed food for seniors. We’re a bit skeptical.
Just Maybe This 3MF Thing Is Going To Work
The 3MF Consortium announced the arrival of four more companies to the project. And they’re notable companies.
Simplify3D Is 3.0!
The leading commercial 3D printing slicing software just got a lot better: Simplify3D has announced version 3.0.
An Introduction to SolveSpace
I was recently made aware of a free modelling tool called SolveSpace.
Formide OS Open Sourced
Netherlands-based Printr, the folks behind the slick “Element” 3D printer controller, have open sourced some of their software stack.
3D Button Hopes You’ll Press It
A German startup has developed a potentially universal “button” to print 3D content.
Digits2Widgets’ List of 3D CAD Software
There are a huge number of different 3D design software environments. We found a good list of them for you.
Battle of the 3D CAD Systems
Autodesk jiggered the features on their subscription CAD service, Fusion 360. Why did they do so?
Meshmixer Version 2.9 Released
Autodesk Meshmixer is one of my favourite apps for 3D printing.
3MF Consortium Hopes to Standardize 3D Print Formats
Several key 3D print-related companies announced a new consortium focused on promoting a new, more powerful 3D model file format: 3MF.
Euclid: A 3D Printing Mystery Superslicer?
In the preliminary talk schedule for this year’s JuliaCon, there’s mention of a new 3D printing slicer, “Euclid”.
Intel and 3D Systems Partner On Laptop 3D Scanning
Intel’s RealSense 3D scanning cameras have transformed the way we look at laptops. From gesture controls to 3D scanning, Intels new camera has added a whole drawer of tools to the digital toolbox we call laptops.
3D Slash Provides an Easy Way to Produce 3D Models
Looking for a way to easily create 3D models? You might check out 3D Slash.
Success and Challenges for Simplify3D
Simplify3D is an independently-produced 3D printer management software utility that has been quite successful. But it may have challenges, too.
Open Board Game Opens Up Gaming
A new framework permits easy creation of 3D printed items for board games.
Someone Made Up a 3D Modeling Language Called MadeUp
A project called “MadeUp” provides a way to programmatically generate 3D models suitable for 3D printing.
A Look at Onshape
A relatively recent newcomer to the CAD world, Onshape is riding the waves of Cloud computing and aims to set the standard of industrial and product design of the future.
Gradient Color 3D Printing
Color 3D printing has long been a challenge and few manufacturers produce color capable gear. Stratasys has taken a step towards full color 3D printing by demonstrating a 3D printed color gradient.
Hands On With Smoothie-3D
To truly exploit 3D printing technology you need to be able to make your own models.
Lumi Releases 3D Model Braille Generator
Lumi Industries, the folks who created the LumiPocket 3D printer, have released a free braille generator.
Practical Improvements in Simplify3D v2.2.2
If you’re making mechanical parts, you’d best use Simplify3D to slice them.
A Profound MeshMixer Update
MeshMixer 2.8 has been released and it fills a very significant gap in the 123D suite of 3D applications.
Formlabs Tunes Up Their Software
3D printer manufacturer Formlabs has been tuning up their software – and we think that’s a key strategy for them.
Sculpteo Launches FinalProof
Sculpteo launched FinalProof at CES 2015, the first realistic 3D printing preview feature.
Everyone Needs an Ancestro3D
Mexico-based Ideaz 3D is attempting to develop a very unique 3D print application, Ancestro3D.
3D Systems Workflow Improvements
3D Systems released new software for their ProJet 1200, but the features indicate something deeper.
DesignSpark Mechanical Goes 2.0
CAD design tool DesignSpark Mechanical has now been upgraded to version 2.0.
Simplify3D V2.2’s New Features
Third-party 3D print slicer Simplify3D released a new version, 2.2, with some terrific added features.
Modio: Design Articulated 3D Models
Printed figurines can be amazing, but what about making them move? You can do so with Modio.
verb: Make Your Own CAD Web App
There’s now a powerful software library available to build web-based 3D tools
HP’s Sprout 3D Creation Technology
HP made not one, but two announcements today. One of them dealt with 3D creation technology.
Fixing 3D Models?
Most 3D models for 3D printing still use the now-aging STL format. That can cause problems.
Voxelizer Offers Interesting Opportunities
Voxelizer is the software made for ZMorph 3D printers, but it also may offer something for those who don’t use that machine.
Rejoice! 123D Catch Now Available on Android
Autodesks’s 123D Catch 3D scanning app, perhaps the most popular 3D scanner around, is now available on Android devices.
Intel Hopes To Give Everyone a Real 3D Scanner
Intel’s RealSense™ technology could put a 3D scanner in your mobile device.
Autodesk and Local Motors Collaborate on First Spark 3D Platform Implementation
Earlier this year, Autodesk announced plans to introduce Spark, a new open platform for 3D printing, aimed at making it simpler and more reliable to print 3D models and easier to control how that model is printed.
Hyve-3D’s Unique Interface
A new method of 3D sketching has been developed: Hyve-3D.
3D Design By Example
Researchers at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab have developed a new twist on 3D design by creating “Fab By Example”.
MeshMixer’s Very Cool Updates
It’s becoming a big favorite around our lab and it just got even better: MeshMixer 2.5 offers some very interesting new features.
i3DConverter: Save in Almost Any 3D Format
We’re checking out a 3D utility program that converts 3D files into different formats.
3DPrintTech Automatically Chops Up 3D Models
Have you ever wanted to 3D print an object that’s larger than your printer’s build volume? There’s a plugin for that.
MakerBot’s PrintShop
MakerBot has released “PrintShop”, a friendly iPad app with which you can generate your own 3D models.
Silo 3D Modeler now Available for Linux
The Silo 3D modeling software system now adds Linux as one of its supported platforms, joining OS/X and Windows.
Autodesk’s Fusion 360 Can Be Yours
Looking for a more powerful 3D modeling tool to design things to print? Look no further than Autodesk’s Fusion 360, which can be your at no charge.
MakerBot Re-Supports Older Models
MakerBot released a new version of their latest 3D printer management suite, MakerBot Desktop. There was a surprise in it.
Hands on With Simplify3D
We’ve been testing the latest release of Simplify3D, version 2.1.1, a third-party 3D printer slicing system. We’re impressed.
Hands on with Trnio, the Smartphone 3D Scanner
We took Trnio for a test drive; it’s a new 3D scanning app for your iPhone.
Three Cheers for MeshMixer Supports!
If you’ve been 3D printing you’ll be familiar with the challenge of printing overhangs. Now there’s a terrific solution that enables printing almost any shape on any 3D printer.
Threeding’s 3D App Venture
3D model repository Threeding has done something interesting: they’ve created an app.
Something’s Cooking at Rendor
There’s an ominous web page published by Replica Labs, describing something called “Rendor”. It seems to be a 3D scanning app.
Creation Workshop from Envision Labs
Concerned that your favorite 3D model slicing software won’t work on your new resin-based 3D printer? There’s a solution for that.
Is All 3D Print Slicing Software The Same? Apparently Not
We’re looking at a story from Simplify3D that apparently demonstrates their product can handle prints that other software cannot.
Autodesk’s Spark Initiative
Autodesk announced a new initiative they call “Spark”. It’s an “open 3D printing platform” that could change many things in 3D printing.
MakerBot’s Digital Reconstruction Patent
We’ve uncovered a very curious patent application from MakerBot that seems to indicate they’re developing an automated way to reconstruct broken objects.
Dr. Fluff Helps You Evolve 3D Printed Robots
A new Android app permits children (and adults) to create 3D robot models suitable for 3D printing with an unusual approach.
A New 3D Scan App?
Details are few, but IHTFP Labs is developing an app that they say will “Revolutionize 3D Scanning”.
PrintToPeer is now on Indiegogo
PrintToPeer has launched their fundraising campaign on Indiegogo. They are a startup that hopes to dramatically change how you interact with your 3D printer.
Skanect 1.6 Released
One of the most powerful and accessible 3D scanning tools just got a little better. Skanect has released version 1.6 with some interesting new features.
Some Pretty Big Updates from 123D
Autodesk has delivered some pretty substantial updates to their 123D suite of 3D modeling tools.
Topolabs Could Change Your 3D Printing Direction
A startup company hopes to deploy a radically new way of 3D printing to existing machines. Topolabs has invented a way to print in three dimensions.
Cubify’s Sense 3D Scanner Now Support OS/X
While Cubify has been selling their inexpensive handheld “Sense” 3D scanner for some months, it is now supported under OS/X.
Project Silkworm Shows The Future
We’ve always been slightly annoyed at the overly simple manner in which 3D models are sliced and printed. Much more is theoretically possible and that may now become reality with the work developed by Project Silkworm.
MixFab’s Mixed-Reality 3D Design Approach
The most significant barrier to widespread 3D printing adoption is the difficulty of mastering 3D CAD software. MixFab hopes to overcome that with a new approach.
Formlabs Updates Preform
Formlabs, makers of the Form 1 resin-based 3D printer, have released a significant update to their main software, Preform.
Some SketchUp Tips for 3D Printing
Some folks use Trimble’s SketchUp Make to prepare 3D models for 3D printing, but there are some tricks involved. We found a post that explains them.
Repetier Goes Closed Source
One of the pillars of open source 3D printing, Repetier Host, has closed its source code.
Meshmixer Updates With Cool New Features
If you aren’t yet using Autodesk’s free 3D model manipulation software Meshmixer, you should be. Two new features were announced that we think are pretty cool.
Can ZBrush Be Used for 3D Printing?
There are a great many software tools that can be used to develop 3D models for printing. Is ZBrush one of them?
What’s Up With Sketchup?
For many of us, SketchUp was our first encounter with 3D modeling. But what’s the latest from SketchUp?
Project Shapeshifter Improves
Autodesk’s 123D initiative’s subproject, Project Shapeshifter, recently received a very exciting upgrade.
MakerBot’s MakerWare Passes a Key Milestone
MakerBot’s latest release of their 3D printing management software, MakerWare, has passed what we believe to be a significant milestone.
Implications of Mark Forg3D’s Web-Based 3D Print Slicing
Mark Forg3D’s carbon fiber printer is a definitely a revolutionary concept, but that wasn’t the only feature that really impressed us. The other sleeper feature of the Mark One is its software. But wait, you say, every 3D printer includes software to drive the printer. That’s true, but Mark Forg3D’s software is cloud based.… Continue reading Implications of Mark Forg3D’s Web-Based 3D Print Slicing
Uformia’s MeshUp
Scandinavian software developer Uformia is working on a new tool: MeshUp. The new product complements their existing product, Symvol, which operates as a plugin to Rhino3D, the popular 3D modeling software package. MeshUp offers similar functionality but in a standalone application without the requirement for Rhino3D. But what does it do for you? Many… Continue reading Uformia’s MeshUp
Leapfrog’s Selling Simplify3D
We managed to get a close look at the new version of Simplify3D software today, courtesy of Mathijs Kossen of Leapfrog 3D Printers. Leapfrog is offering Simplify3D as an option for use with their printers. The standard software, Slic3r, works well, but sometimes introduces layer artifacts such as those illustrated above. Simply3D attempts to… Continue reading Leapfrog’s Selling Simplify3D
Cirri – A Software 3D Scanner
A new 3D scanning option has appeared, courtesy of a group in Ottawa. The Cirri scanner hopes to provide a “professional 3D scanning solution”. Cirri isn’t a piece of hardware – instead it’s a software solution that uses multiple digital images of a subject to develop a true 3D model. This means that you… Continue reading Cirri – A Software 3D Scanner
3D Systems’ New Scanning Solution
3D Systems announced an inexpensive personal 3D scanner last week, but they also announced a professional 3D scanning solution, too. The new GeoMagic Capture bundle is a combination of a blue-LED 3D scanner and application-specific software to integrate the scan directly into several high-end 3D modeling solutions, including: SolidWorks, SpaceClaim, Design X, Design Direct,… Continue reading 3D Systems’ New Scanning Solution
Capture 3D Images with your iPhone
There’s a fascinating new iOS app that can capture true 3D images: Seene. The app, available at no charge, requires you to take four still images of a subject from slightly different viewpoints. Typically you’d image from “four corners”, upper left, upper right, lower right and lower left. The app then digests the images… Continue reading Capture 3D Images with your iPhone