Tinkecad has been turning up the awesome dial on their WebGL browser based 3D modeling application over the past year but they just made it even better with the ability to import 3D STL files.... 

This will make it SUPER easy to customize an existing 3D model to 3D Print at Shapeways, whether it be your own file you have created in another software, or a downloadable file from Shapeways, or other 3D model repositories like Thingiverse and GrabCad. You can also grab multiples STL files and mash them together, add text, geometry, anything.... AWESOME.

One limitation is the STL import is currently limited to 25,000 triangles so don't go throwing zBrush madness at it just yet, and of course, make sure you have permission to use the 3D files, and if you modify them, be sure to adhere to the terms by which the original 3D model was shared..

Thanks to the Tinkercad crew for such a fantastic move. 

Elegant and modern, the Origami Vase inspired by the Japanese paper-folding craft 3D Printed in white ceramics by Shapeways.

We have seen some AMAZING home decor and beautiful vases 3D Printed in ceramics in many different colors but it is always a pleasure to see such an elegant design that takes a modern digital aesthetic inspired by an ancient oriental tradition to make such a timeless form. 

Want to design and 3D Print your own iPhone case, customized to EXACTLY meet your needs? Whether you need a credit card holder, a bicycle mount, an iPad connector, a dog collar, a spork attachement or your logo, come along to the class Design Your Own iPhone Cast to be 3D Printed with Shapeways in NYC to get exactly what you want.

The introductory class will quickly cover the materials and processes of 3D Printing then it will be heads down in Inventor Fusion to design your case.

It is important to bring your laptop, a mouse and power supply and download Autodesk's Inventor Fusion (free) so you can design your own iPhone case to 3D Print.

Sign up via Skillshare

If you do not have an iPhone but still want to learn some 3D modeling skills, check out the  Toy Rocket 3D-Printing Workshop for Beginners and Earring 3D-Printing Workshop for Beginners classes also via Skillshare. 

3DMTP is a cloud-based software service, focused on making 3D architectural models 3D Printable. 3DMTP automatically transforms 3D designs, from BIM, 3D CAD, SketchUp software and other 3D visualization software into scalable and 3D printable model files.  

3DMTP helps overcome the complex challenges sometimes faced in making 3D scaled models printable for architects, developers and designers. The innovation is based on algorithms which study-the geometric structure of the model, identify and AUTOMATICALLY fix problems that would have prevented it from being successfully printed. Sweet.

Once you are ready to turn your design into a 3D printable model, upload your design file and set your parameters: scale, profile, and desired 3D printer. 3DMTP automatically processes the file without any additional operator interface. 3DMTP also fixes holes between polygons and facets, repairs reverse surfaces, changes the thickness of walls to minimum print tolerance for the selected printer, fixes non-volumetric geometry (making objects "watertight"), and fixes many other problems of degenerated geometry that otherwise would prevent the model from printing successfully

Check out some of their 3D Printable architectural models already in their Shapeways shop. 

La Gerbe, the first in the series of 3D Printed fashion by Dutch designer Bracelet Boutique is based on the painting La Gerby by Matisse. Take a look at some of the beautiful colors that Bracelet Boutique have dyed their designs to inspire you to try some DIY dyeing for yourself. Le Gerbe is available 3D Printed on demand by Shapeways in White Nylon or Stainless Steel.

Many people want to 3D Print their ideas with Shapeways but do not (yet) know how to 3D model their designs. Luckily, at the same time there are thousands of incredibly talented 3D modelers in the Shapeways community, some of whom are offering their 3D modeling services for hire to help those people make their ideas for real with 3D Printing.

We have seen some AMAZING products come to life thanks to these connections made on Shapeways from Siri to shoes (many shoes), trophies for bad sportsmanship, skateboarding elephants, Bronies and Hybride sculptures, whether starting from sketch, fixing an existing model or creative collaboration it is a great way for modelers to stretch their skills and help others 3D print ideas.

If you, as a 3D modeler want to offer your 3D modeling services on the forum post the following details in the forum:  

About me:
Expertise:
Experience:
Portfolio:

Pay Rate:

Note: Please use your own discretion when entering into agreements with other users. Shapeways is not liable for any transactions that take place between users in the forum, we just want to make it easier for you to find each other.

If you have an idea for something you want to 3D Print but do not know how to 3D model, or if you have a 3D model that needs some love to make it 3D printable, you can either post your project in the 3D modeler needed forum or take a look at designers offering 3D modeling services to find the right person to help you out.

Again, Shapeways is not liable for any transactions that take place between users in the forum, we just want to help you get started 3D Printing.

If you want to learn to design for 3D Printing, take a look at our tutorials page, play with one of the easy creators developed by Shapeways and our friends or take a class in the Shapeways Skillshare School....  

Following are just a few items 3D Printed thanks to the Shapeways connection.

We are working on a series of videos featuring a few members of the Shapeways community showcasing their amazing work. We are so excited with some of the footage we could not help but share this one of the 'Crania Anatomica Filigre' Skull by Joshua Harker being cleaned, hot from the 3D Printer..... Take a look at this footage of the cleaning and keep an eye out for more videos of 3D Printing action... 

Here is the first in our series of 3D Printing tutorials we will be posting over the coming weeks, the first of which entitled How To Prep and Upload a 3D Model with SolidWorks for 3D Printing with Shapeways has been posted by Rohit Mitra of SolidWize.

For more tutorials on design for 3D Printing take a look at our Tutorials Pages on Shapeways, but for now, lets take a look at SolidWorks with SolidWize...

Here we'll show how to prepare and upload a model to Shapeways using SolidWorks. Keep in mind that models should be exported as either STL files or VRML files (if using full color). Our final uploads can be found on the SolidWize Shapeways page. 

Create Your Model

For those of you who are relatively new to SolidWorks, check out the video below to follow along with my thought process in creating a simple bone wrench. This assumes a basic working knowledge of the SolidWorks toolset, and I'll move through the process fairly quickly. 

You'll want to keep in mind that SolidWorks exports only solid bodies to STL files, whereas anything visible is exported to VRML (full color). When working with small features or thin walls make sure to adhere to the limitations of the material that you want to print in. The material options page lists the parameter guidelines you