{"id":16686,"date":"2014-08-21T18:43:50","date_gmt":"2014-08-21T18:43:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/?p=16686"},"modified":"2022-08-15T16:59:10","modified_gmt":"2022-08-15T20:59:10","slug":"print-3d-for-me-an-app-that-turns-your-favorite-photograph-into-a-3d-print","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/print-3d-for-me-an-app-that-turns-your-favorite-photograph-into-a-3d-print","title":{"rendered":"Print 3D for Me: An app that turns your favorite photograph into a 3D print"},"content":{"rendered":"

Zach Kauble is the co-founder of 3D Print for Me<\/a>, which uses the Shapeways API<\/a> to create a unique keychain from your favorite photograph. Below Zach discusses how he was inspired to create this application and how 3D printing can impact the future of custom product design.<\/p>\n

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Please introduce yourself – what is your background? Are you a developer? Designer? 3D modeler?<\/em><\/p>\n

The product and web site were designed by myself and my partner, Tyler Watson. We are both software engineers by day. I started experimenting with 3D printing as a consequence of learning 3D modeling and sculpting software such as ZBrush and 3DS Max. I quickly realized that my models could be made real via 3D printing. It wasn’t long before I came across Shapeways.<\/p>\n

What inspired you to start Print 3D for me?<\/em><\/p>\n

I got the idea after I ordered a few prints of my Zbrush sculptures from Shapeways. I think a transformation occurred for me that probably happens to most “Shapies” because I become somewhat obsessed with designing a unique product. A single question was repeated daily in my head no matter where I was or what I was doing? How does 3D printing change this?<\/p>\n

I had been experimenting with 3D printed lithophanes on Shapeways for some time before we decided to create Print 3D For Me.\u00a0What most inspired us was the reaction of my coworkers at seeing some of my early prototypes. They were amazed by them, which surprised me.
\nI thought they were somewhat interesting, but not nearly as cool as others did. I suppose after so many iterations of a product, the appeal to the designer starts to wear away.<\/p>\n

So, based on this enthusiastic response, we decided to create Print 3D For Me and sell the lithophanes as key chains.<\/p>\n

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What is your hope for growing the business?<\/em><\/p>\n

Of course we hope to grow the business and several more products are in development. However, our primary goal in this endeavor is learn and have fun, and we’ve already done both quite a bit. There is definitely a lot to learn…3D modeling tools, Search Engine Optimization, Internet Advertising and configuration, the Shapeways API, and much, much more.<\/p>\n

How is 3D printing helping creative businesses and consumers develop products they want?<\/em><\/p>\n

My theory is that it removes the barrier to entry in developing and manufacturing physical product. It’s not specifically the additive manufacturing<\/a> method that I’m excited about. It’s the idea that I can focus all of my time on designing a product while outsourcing the rest of the mundane details including manufacturing, distribution, and fulfillment. My sincere hope is that two things continue to happen as the technology improves: prices continue to drop, and the manufacturing options continue to increase…such as the inclusion of multiple materials and integrated electronics.
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