Have you ever had to fix non-manifold errors in a colored model? It’s a pain, and can usually only be solved with painstaking handwork or by purchasing high-end software like Magics.

If you have, then this should make you VERY happy: Mesh Medic (our automated model fixer) can now also handle color models (and textured models, of course)! It’ll spot a range of possible problems in your model and try to fix them. It’s not perfect, but in our tests it can fix the vast majority of the models that we throw at it.

Mesh Medic is the first on-line tool that does this. Yes, we’re that awesome.

We had a small party at the office yesterday (extra coffee!). The reason? We were mentioned on the front page of the New York Times, in an article called 3-D Printing Spurs a Manufacturing Revolution. (Free registration required to read the article). It’s an interesting read with some inspiring applications of 3D printing, like prosthetic limb casings and houses.

Oooh, I pity the people who are assembling our Material Sample Packs! The number of orders is astonishing - not surprising as they only cost $5 (well, $30 including a $25 coupon).
We shipped the first batch last week.

Did you get yours yet? Tell us what you think of it on the ‘It Arrived!’ forum!

Come on over and meet the team! Next week, we’ll be at D27 at 100% Design in London and at Maker Faire New York (for a free Maker Faire day pass, contact denise@shapeways.com).

At the end of next month, we’ll also be present for nine(!) days at the Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

Even better - become part of the team for a few days! Show your own work at our booth, or just help out. If you’re interested, talk to denise@shapeways.com.

The ‘Draw Your Own Earring’ contest is over and the winner (printed in Sterling Silver) looks absolutely gorgeous!

If you’re looking to create your own, you can use our Earrings Co-Creator or Ring Co-Creator. The only skill you need is drawing with a pencil ;-) Here’s how it works:

The result can be stunning: