Learn the Foundations of 3D Printing, and Introduction to 3D Modeling with Aaron Trocola.

Learn the core skill for creation in the 21st century with one of the most experienced designer/modelers in the business. This double-session class is geared toward beginners, giving a complete primer on 3D printing processes, materials and software, then showing you how to apply that knowledge to make your own designs. You will also learn about selling from your Shapeways shop,  custom object co-creation, finishing and more. In three hours, you will be up and running with basic skills and receive expert consultation on what tools and techniques to focus on for your area of interest, whether in jewelry, character, scale models, or product design.

Get the full details of the class as part of Shapeways Skillshare School. 

Learn the foundations of 3D Printing with an introduction to 3D Modeling with design for 3D printing expert Aaron Trocola.

This class has evolved greatly over the past year and a half. This is an extended version that is essentially two classes: Foundations of 3D Printing, and Introduction to 3D Modeling. The goal of the class is to give a complete primer on printing processes and software, then show how you can apply that knowledge to create your own designs and manufacture them at home or from a service bureau like Shapeways. You will also learn about selling items from your Shapeways shop, custom object co-creation, and the logistics of re-selling printed items through other venues like Etsy and Ebay. 

Today we have launched the first stage of the Shapeways Educational Program with an awesome 10% discount on 3D printing for all students and educators with a Shapeways account registered with an .edu email address.

This is our first step at helping students and educators have better access to high quality 3D printing through Shapeways.  We will be rolling out more features as part of the Shapeways Education Program so that everyone from elementary to post graduate students can use 3D printing to help them learn, understand and communicate their ideas whether they be technical, artistic or conceptual.

If you want to understand the new frontier of 3D printing Copyright, Patent and Trademark law, Public Knowledge's new white paper: So, What is the Deal with Copyright and 3D Printing? is a perfect resource to understand exactly where the law stands now.

The paper is a follow up to their previous 3D printing whitepaper It Will Be Awesome if They Don't Screw It Up: 3D Printing, Intellectual Property, and the Fight Over the Next Great Disruptive Technology.  Where as the previous paper focused on the broad connection between intellectual property law and 3D printing, What's the Deal? focuses on the relationship between copyright and 3D printing.

This is an extremely helpful paper for those creating works that lie between sculptural and functional works and copyright does not cover functional objects but can in some cases cover aesthetic aspects of the functional objects. What we like to call, 'the grey area'.  With this distinction the paper also clarifies a really important point which has been confusing for many people, a Creative Commons license cannot be used to legally protect a functional object.  We have seen many people share their functional 3D files with a Creative Commons license in a number of places online,  although this is not legally binding, it does offer a social construct that should be respected, a way to communicate the way in which you would like to share, and a possible framework for the future.

Take the time to read the paper, it is an incredibly useful resource for all of us navigating through unchartered waters. 

The paper is shared under a Creative Commons license, of course... Great work by Michael Weinberg and his team. 

We first launched our Material Sample Kit over two years ago and much has changed since then. We have more metals, more colors, more finishes with MUCH more to come.  To make room for all of these new materials we are introducing a whole new range of 3D Printing Material Sample Kits to Shapeways.

The Basic Kit for $29.99 will replace the current kit and contain:

• White Strong Flexible (nylon)
• Alumide 
• Stainless Steel
• Full Color Sandstone
• Black Detail (Acrylic)
• Frosted Ultra Detail (Acrylic)

You will also receive $25 3D Printing Coupon to get you started with the new materials.

The Colors & Finishes Kit priced at $19.99 is for you to get your hands on the latest colors and finishes (hence the name) including:

• White Detail (Acrylic)
• Polished White Strong Flexible (Nylon)
• Polished Alumide
• Black Strong Flexible (Nylon)

• Coral Red
• Royal Blue
• Hot Pink
• Violet Purple 

The Metals Kit for $79.99 includes a range of our metal finishes including:

• Polished Bronze Stainless Steel
• Sterling Silver
• Polished Gold Plated Stainless Steel 

For each material in each pack you will also receive a material detail card with specifications, limitations and recommendations. This, along with the samples will help you to design for each specific material. 

As we roll out with new materials and colors over the coming months we will include them to the relevant sample pack and you will be able to order each sample individually to add them to your sample kit. 

You can take a look at our 3D Printing Materials Page now to see each of the materials, their prices and properties then order your own 3D Printing Material Sample Kits to see, feel and smell the materials for yourself. 

Autodesk offer free 3 year software licenses under their assistance program for Students, Faculty and Displaced Workers.

This is an awesome program for students and/or the unemployed to get their hands on some professional tools (including 3D modeling software), hone their skills and knowledge of software to make them an asset to an employer or maybe even start your own business.

Software that may be suitable for 3D modeling for 3D Printing with Shapeways include Autodesk Product Design Suite, 3ds Max, Inventor, Maya and AutoCad.

* Free products may not be used for commercial, professional, or other for-profit purposes, and are subject to the terms and conditions of the end-user license agreement that accompanies the software.

via Between The Lines. 

Want to get started 3D Printing but do not know which 3D application to start with, what material to 3D Print in or exactly what 'wall thickness' really means?

If you are in New York this week come along to General Assembly where you can learn how to start. 

This introductory class will cover the basic principles behind design for 3D printing, the free tools available to get started and the materials and processes of 3D printing. The course will also step through some simple 3D modeling techniques to get you started designing for 3D printing so bring your Mac or PC laptop, charger, and an external mouse so you can follow along.

Registration via Eventbrite. 

If you want to learn to Design for 3D Printing and you are in NYC then we have a range of classes to get you started over the next couple of weeks. Come along and try your hand at making your ideas for real with 3D printing in a relaxed, friendly environment..

Squishy Football 3D-Printing Workshop for Beginners

7:00 pm

Modeling for 3D Printing with Shapeways

Frisbee 3D-Printing Workshop for Beginners

Intro to Design for 3D Printing with Shapeways