{"id":945,"date":"2011-08-09T22:44:00","date_gmt":"2011-08-09T22:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/archives\/945-new-3d-printing-software-toolkit.html"},"modified":"2014-07-03T17:11:38","modified_gmt":"2014-07-03T17:11:38","slug":"new-3d-printing-software-toolkit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/new-3d-printing-software-toolkit","title":{"rendered":"New 3D Printing Software Toolkit"},"content":{"rendered":"

\nWe are happy to announce the beginnings of a new Open Source
\ntoolkit for 3D printing, called AbFab3D. Shapeways is already the host of a wide set of tools that enable you to create and customize products without the need of 3D software. We call them creators. AbFab3D is designed to help speed
\nthe development of these creators and other 3D printing tools.
\nThe goal is to make software development of 3D creators easy. We are curious to see what
\nsort of creators people will want to create. Can you make the first creator
\nto fab a million products?\n<\/p>\n

\nWhy are we doing this? Shapeways is looking to accelerate the 3D printing revolution. AbFab3D
\ngreatly simplifies the creation of 3D creators and printing tools. These 3D creators (made using AbFab3D) will enable a
\nnew class of Makers and Shapers to take the
\nnext step on the way to transforming manufacturing. Using an
\nOpen Source model allows the community to reuse common code together.
\nShapeways is releasing this code<\/a> to kick start the community of editor creators.\n<\/p>\n

\n<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

\nImage Creator<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n

As a part of the toolkit, we’re releasing a sample creator for you, called the Image Creator.
\nThis creator takes a base shape, embosses or engraves an image and then applies
\na connector. The creator is good at creating custom pendants. By
\ncustomizing this creator you can easily make it work for Dice, Phone Covers, LightSwitch Covers,
\nDrink Coasters and Trivets. Perhaps you’d like a jewelry box with a custom top? All
\nof these variants are easy to create with the toolkit.\n<\/p>\n

\n<\/p>\n

\nInspired yet? It’s quite easy, grab the toolkit and start creating new editors. Make something
\ncool and then open your own shop at Shapeways.\n<\/p>\n

\nFuture<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n

\nHere are some items we’re working on next for the toolkit:\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n