There are lots of ways to use 3D printing, but one of the more fun and flashy ones is getting a 3D print of yourself. A few companies and retail stores have already begun offering consumers the opportunity to see themselves created in miniature form. Below are just a few of the ways to print yourself
1. Printed in Carbonite (Disney Parks – Star Wars):
The new Star Wars owner, Disney, started using the iconic Han Solo in Carbonite as reference to personalize your own piece of memorabilia. Guests could step into a 3D photo booth and be scanned in a moment of agony – just like Han. A technician handled the software processing and positioning and ultimately created a replica carbonite block.
2. Cubify 3DMe by 3D Systems:
The largest 3D printing player, 3D Systems, recently started leveraging their Cubify creation system to open a new service, 3DMe. Everything from cake toppers, to graduation busts, to sports bodies are available. Just upload a few images and order. All of the major character archetypes are covered, from super hero costumes and generic (but suggestively realistic) sports uniforms to wedding dresses and doctors scrubs. Each figure comes posed so this is not quite an action figure, but still cool.
3. Fabcafe Shibuya Tokyo Shop:
Not to be outdone by action figure bodies and likenesses a shop in the popular Shibuya district of Tokyo has taken printing to a delicious new level. After getting a full body scan a plastic tray is made with a 3D printer, but that is not the end product. The tray works as a mold in which you can make delicious gummy versions of yourself. Using 3D printing as a step to create a fixture shows a bit more how versatile this technology is and hints at the impact it will have on manufacturing in general.
4. D-Tech Me Disney Princesses:
5. Shapeways Pop Up Shop in New York:
Shapeways, the online marketplace and service center for 3D models and printing, also got into the business of printing people. Though it was only a brief stint at a NY pop up shop the offerings included charms, figures, ceramic cups and even some more adult oriented items. The video from Mashable explains things.
6. Makerbot Retail Store NYC:
The MakerBot retail store in NYC has a 3D photo booth that will output a digital file directly to their cloud software Thingiverse. While in town a few weeks ago for the Inside 3D Printing Expo at Javits I stopped by and got this taken. Now all it takes is logging on to Thingiverse and ordering a print for $20-$50. Sure the blue color is not all that flattering, but the process was super easy.
These techniques can’t replace other arts, such as photography can’t replace painting
Custom dolls are created from the beginning of history, it is clear that fighting the hyperrealism is complicated. But that is precisely the magic of craft
But still amazing
You can order custom puppets.