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Sony Xperia XZ1's scanner comes with a 3D printing service
When Sony introduced the Xperia XZ1 at IFA, the Japanese tech giant said it was seeking partnerships with 3D printing services to go with its pre-loaded 3D scanning app. Now, Sony and Sculpteo have revealed that they've teamed up to give people the power to 3D print anything anytime they want to, using only the XZ1. You don't need to fire up your computer during any part of the process at all.
In 2017, drones are getting faster, more fun and easier to fix
Drones aren't new to CES, but it's only in the last year or two that they got their own dedicated area in the convention hall. But, drones are meant to fly free, not behind netting, so some bright spark invented the Drone Rodeo: an annual off-site event where the latest and greatest in UAVs could do their thing as nature intended. The event is back this year, and once again it provided a pretty good snapshot of what's going to be hot in the drone world in 2017.
The 'smoothing beautifier' will make your 3D prints less ugly
Sculpteo, the Paris-based company that does cloud-based 3D printing for consumers and companies like Staples, has launched a process that results in more finished-looking objects. Called the "smoothing beautifier," it is used on objects printed by laser sintering, otherwise known as additive manufacturing. Normally, the plastic-based powders result in a rough finish on prototyped objects (or little statues of yourself). However, the new technique, which is applied after printing, provides a "perfectly smooth and shiny finish," according to the company.
Staples teams up with Sculpteo to offer online 3D printing services
Staples has been keen to offer its customers access to both 3D printers and printing services for quite some time. Today, though, the company announced that it's teaming up with Sculpteo on a "new online 3D printing platform." In other words, you'll be able to upload your designs or choose from a collection of pre-designed models before adding text or images, selecting from different materials and more. Sculpteo, a 3D-printing outfit with experience in bulk orders, will use its know-how to power the online service that looks to offer a better option for customers. Staples previously managed 3D printing through its own in-house Copy & Print counters. If you'd rather manage the entire process, the retailer sells 3D printers, too. However, if you'd rather not splurge for the whole setup, the new service is scheduled to go live worldwide next week. [Image credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images]
Sculpteo makes factory-like 3D printing much easier with its Batch Control option
If you're in need of a few 3D-printed parts for that next project or business venture, Sculpteo now has a production method to help bring home the bacon. The company has just announced 3D-printing Batch Control to output as many figurines, drone parts or whatever it is that you may need. Using Sculpteo's software, customers can view the order inside the printer, compare pricing in real time and control both axis and orientation all while nabbing multiple units in a single batch. As far as customization goes, 11 colors, three finishes and two resolutions are offered for orders in an effort to cut production costs, allow for limited editions and more -- like 168 pigs, for example. While the 3D-printed items we saw here at CES are connected in cube form, orders don't arrive that way by default, but it sure does make for easy transport.
3D printing iPhone dock adapters
A French 3D printing company by the name of Sculpteo has begun offering 3D printed iPhone dock adapters for third-party iPod speakers. The adapters allow users to use Lightning connector iPhones and iPods in older dock connector speaker systems. The beauty of this system is that it allows Sculpteo to offer these adapters for a wide range of older speaker systems without the upfront costs of hiring a factory to manufacture thousands of units. From a user perspective, it's advantageous because, theoretically, any old iPod speaker system they have could have an adapter made for it quickly so it's compatible with new Lightning connector iOS devices. Currently the adapter made by Sculpteo will fit over 15 iPod speaker systems. Users will still have to buy the Lightning to dock connector separately from Apple, but when used with Sculpteo's adapters new devices will fit snugly in the old speaker systems. Sculpteo's adapters currently cost US$17. [via TechCrunch]
Autodesk 123D Creatures lets you create monsters on your iPad
Love Spore's robust creature creator tool? Got an iPad? Autodesk has something for you. The company's latest iPad app, Creatures, is a streamlined monster maker -- allowing users to create the monstrosity of their dreams with relative ease. Abominations start as a simple stick figure, molded, thickened and textured with a suite of tools and lighting effects borrowed from Autodesk 123D Sculpt. Completed works can be exported for a more professional polishing Maya and other Autodesk programs, or sent to Sculpteo for 3D printing. The iPad exclusive app will eventually sell for $7.99, but will be available for $2 during its initial launch period. Skip on over to the rightmost source link to check out the app on iTunes, or read on for Autodesk's official press release.
Live from the Engadget CES Stage: an interview with Sculpteo's Clément Moreau (update: video embedded)
For a few years now, Sculpteo has taken a different approach to goal of mainstreaming 3D printing. While the competition races to produce the first popular consumer printer, Sculpteo keeps its eyes on the cloud. We'll be discussing the company with co-founder and CEO Clement Moreau. January 11, 2013 5:00 PM EST Check out our full CES 2013 stage schedule here! Update: video embedded
Sculpteo brings 3D printing to the iPhone
Sculpteo is a fascinating French company that's working to bring 3D printing to the masses. The company had a booth at CES, and while some of our chat with them had to go through a French/English barrier, they very nicely explained to us how they're doing business and allowing almost anyone to make custom 3D printed objects, even through iOS. The company can print custom items through its official website. You can upload your own 3D object file, and by following its web interface, you can have Sculpteo print the object out on demand. I chatted with Sculpteo's rep about how easily that worked, who agreed that while the process itself is generally pretty easy, there are usually a few tweaks that have to be made. Obviously a digital 3D object is not subject to the laws of physics, so sometimes things have to change in the object to make sure it stands up under gravity and can exist at the dimensions planned. But generally, Sculpteo can print out almost anything that someone has previously put together into a 3D file, either on a Mac or PC. However, the most interesting part of the company (and the real showpiece at CES this year) is the iOS app. The app isn't quite as open as the web interface (you can't just upload your own 3D files), but it does allow you to create custom 3D objects like pre-designed mugs, vases, or even iPhone cases, then customize those things directly from your phone. Created items usually cost from $30 to $40; once created, iOS users can order items right from their devices with immediate shipment. The 3D printing quality is touch and go. Some of the objects Sculpteo showed off had a sort of glaze over the 3D printing powder, but some items, including an iPhone case, were still very dusty to the touch. It's unclear if those objects were just on display or finished products meant for end users. Assuming that the printing process finishes everything correctly, the end result is that almost anyone can create customized 3D objects on an iPhone or iPad, then get those renderings printed out into real objects. 3D printing has been around for a few years already (even for DIY hobbyists), but it hasn't been utilized by most of the public. 3D printers and the various costs associated with them are still a little too pricey for common mass market use, and many items created with 3D printing are still too fragile to be much more than showpieces. But Sculpteo hopes its app can "demonstrate the printing process" to the public and show that things like this are possible, even easy and relatively cheap. Sculpteo's app is a free download on the App Store. The company says its sales of 3D items have seen "an incredible response so far," and it's adding new patterns, items, and functionality to the app all the time.
Sculpteo 3D printer iPhone app: make a vase based on your profile, because you can
What to get the crazy billionaire in your life who has everything? Why, a vase, based on their profile, of course. That centuries-long dream has been realized with the release of the new Sculpteo iPhone app -- snap a photo of your profile or the profile of a loved one, and the app will convert it into a 3D object, which can be transformed into the sort of vase seen above. You can also get your profile on a mug, if that's your cup of tea -- or even designs based on your Twitter activity. The app is currently available on iTunes. It's a free download, but the sculptures will cost you, based on design. Another pic is located after the break.
3D printing provider Sculpteo and TUAW want to give you... yourself
Remember that cool little avatar (picture at right) that I had made by Sculpteo? It's a great example of the work that the 3D printing service provider is doing for people around the world. Sculpteo is using the avatars as a unique way to get the word out about 3D printing, and they'd like one lucky TUAW reader to get the chance to make an avatar of his- or herself, or to give the Christmas gift of an avatar to a friend. Mac users can create 3D creations either using standard CAD software such as AutoCAD for Mac or free solutions like Google Sketchup, and then upload the files to Sculpteo for printing. Whether you're planning on creating art, a mockup of a new product, or just fascinated with the concept of 3D printing, the service is worth looking into. To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment telling us who you'd like to make an avatar of -- yourself, a relative, or friend. If you're the winner, we'll get you in touch with the right people so you can send the necessary photos for that extra touch of realism. Here are the rules: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, leave a comment telling us who you'd like to 'avatarize.' The comment must be left before midnight on Sunday, December 12, 2010, 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected at random from the entries and will receive a customized avatar from Sculpteo valued at US$74.90. Click Here for complete Official Rules.
