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. 

Decoded Fashion hosted an event focussing on 3D Printing fashion. From fashion-forward dresses and shoes to masculine jewelry, they got together to discuss the latest innovation in 3D printing. At Space 530, the heart of NYC's fashion district, 5 presenters spoke to an intimate audience about this prime example of the FashionTech intersection.

The Presenters

Shapeways: Carine talks how our community of members (you) "make stuff" from jewelry to glasses to handbags.

GothamSmith: These four New Yorkers use "robots" (Shapeways) to 3-D print menswear accessories such as cufflinks.

Continuum Fashion: Part fashion label, part design label (200%awesome), Continuum Fashion uses digital technologies to create user-generated fashion collections.

Shulogique: Imagine a high-end stiletto specially created to fit the biomechanics of your foot. 

The Clip-it - iPhone travel dock is a simple an elegant way to turn your Euro iPhone charger into a wall mounted dock.

Clip-it for iPhone converts your Euro iPhone charger to a wall dock; making sure that you can easily charge your phone at every wall socket. Unfurnished rooms, hotels and conference rooms are no longer a problem.

 

Clip-it lets you wind the usb cable easily around your charger and is also usable as a small table dock during your journeys ore while at work.

 

Clip-it makes use of your existing Apple Dock Connector to USB Cable. Simply snap it in and lock the cable at the bottom. Clip-it is perfectly engineered to hold the latest two generations of original Apple charging cables.

 

Clip-it is designed for the latest two iPhone models: the iPhone 4 & iPhone 4S and the included Apple USB Power Adapter (European version only).

 

Now everybody PLEASE ask Remi to make a US, Australian, UK and Japanese version....

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.

Using 3D Printers housed in a shipping container, unmanned drones and GPS tracking system Project Blue Sky promises to freak the hell out of unsuspecting Burning Man participants. The project is run by a non-profit called ReAllocate.org, which curates teams of world class talent and pairs them with specific technical projects, humanitarian organizations (other non-profits, NGOs) and resources to solve global challenges. Right on.

Imagine that you are in Black Rock desert close to Center Camp. You step into a brightly decorated space surrounded by ancient statues. You are ushered into a shipping container that has been converted into a high-tech innovation lab. You and your fashionable friend strike a pose which is captured with 3D software and converted into a 3D model. You are given a GPS transponder and specific instructions for your mission. On the way out you catch a lecture on 'Scientific Exploration' and watch some aerial 3D footage of flying over Burning Man projected in a 3D imax dome.

 

After you leave, your image scan is 3D printed into a miniature statue and loaded into a capsule on a multi-copter. The copter navigates to your GPS location.

 

When your GPS transponder goes off, you look up as the multi-copter hovers above you. It gently lowers a padded capsule with your statue of you inside. You unwrap a 3D medallion of yourself.

 

Your only responsibility is to return the transponder and tell us your story for our documentary.

 

 File under freaky cool....

The Moonrock 2012 Nozomi Pendant is on it's way to Burning Man via Shapeways. Designed by our very own Alan Hudson and Ava Savitsky using the 3D Tools Alan has developed for Shapeways, an open source 3D toolkit called AbFab3d available via GitHub. It is another great example of someone who is not actually a '3D modeler' using what is basically a 2D approach to 3D print an object, in Sterling Silver.

With this series of 3D Printed Soldering attachments for a BIC lighter you can be like MacGyver and repair your PCB's anywhere.  Sure, it may be a little more geeky than MacGyver, and perhaps without the brown leather jacket and frosted tips, but MacGyverish all the same....

Available in 11 variations 3D Printed in Stainless Steel from the Mechnology shop on Shapeways including the the 0.8mm round tip to the 2.4mm wide tip you are sure to find an ultra-portable soldering iron tip to meet your needs, AND impress your friends...

They brought you the first 3D Printed Bikini, now Continuum Fashion have released the Strvct 3D printed shoe, lined with a patent leather inner sole and coated with a synthetic rubber to provide greater traction.

strvct refers to structure. With 3D printed nylon, delicate looking forms are actually incredibly strong while also being impossibly lightweight. We present a triangulated spin on the classic wedge pump, which brings to mind Cinderella's glass slipper in its transparency. Expanding on this idea, we created a sandal with a 3D printed base and origami tyvek butterflies.

Get a pair custom designed and 3D Printed to fit your feet for $900 in any style from a platform to a pump. 

Another 3D printerview with a Shapeways team member to hit the internets courtesy of our favorite podcast EngineerVsDesigner. This time Josh Mings and Adam O'Hern had the questions coming from all directions, mostly, but not exclusively about Shapeways and 3D Printing. Listen, learn, laugh and subscribe to the hottest CAD related podcast on the block....

For those of you connected to us on Twitter and Facebook you my be seeing images flow through of us showing people the potential of 3D Printing with Shapeways.  It is one of the greatest pleasures to see people's minds being blown as we show them some of the amazing designs 3D Printed by the Shapeways community, and that they too can make their ideas real with 3D Printing..

Just in case you did not get a chance to see the images in the social ocean, here are just a few.

If you are at SIGGRAPH be sure to drop by the booth and say hello.

We have seen so many beautiful designs 3D Printed in ceramics over the past few weeks from rocket cups to teeth cups, tea light cookers to impossible forms, and now we want to see more...

From today until August 14th at 9am EST we are offering all ceramic 3D Printing at only $0.14 per cm²

Whether you want a classic white bust of Cory Doctorow on your desktop to inspire you to get making or the impossible Quintal Candle holder in Avocado Green to bend your mind, all of your ceramic 3D Prints will cost only $0.14 per cm² in all color and finishes. If you are buying a 3D print from a Shapeways Shop, the material price will be discounted there as well!

You do not have to do anything special to get the discount. All models items ordered in ceramics until 9am August 14th EST will have material prices that are at least 20% cheaper...

Now is a great opportunity to make your designs in 3D Printed ceramic. Take a look at the design rules for 3D Printing ceramic and make sure you have a minimum wall thickness of 3mm and that the cost is calculated by surface area not volume. Solid models, with thick forms 3D Printed in ceramics are sometimes WAY cheaper than the same models 3D Printed in our nylon (WSF), so it may be a good opportunity to 3D Print a solid bust, or any models you have that you cannot hollow out.

During this discount on ceramic 3D Printing at Shapeways, it is also a great time to try out our virtual potters wheel to throw your self something unique without 3D Modeling with our Sake Set Creator and 3D Print it in ceramics.

If you have any designs 3D Printed in ceramics with high quality photographs in your Shapeways Shop, share the link in the comments section of the blog so we can see them and we might be able to include them in the gallery of 3D Printed Ceramic products on the Shapeways homepage.

Happy shaping!

Shapeways Shop Owners, please note: your markups will not be affected by this promotion.

Layer by layer, groove by groove, 3D printing a record, that does not play...

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.