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SoftKinetic's 3D scanning solution aims to popularize MakerBot's printers
SoftKinetic, the 3D gesture middleware provider for Intel and Ubisoft's Just Dance 2014 for the PS4, is once again catching our attention by announcing its strategic partnership with MakerBot at CES. These two companies will work on optimizing the former's time-of-flight depth camera technology for 3D scanning, which will hopefully help popularize MakerBot's 3D printers. While we didn't get to see objects being printed live at the show, SoftKinetic's CMO Eric Krzeslo surprised us by how quickly he could scan a person's face using his depth camera. The data was then sent to Volumental's impressive cloud service, which returned a printer-ready render in a matter of minutes. See for yourself in our video after the break. SoftKinetic also announced that NVIDIA's Tegra Note 7 platform comes with the former's gesture recognition middleware, as well as support for its DepthSense 3D Time-of-Flight USB camera. This means OEMs or developers will be able to quickly implement short-range ("as close as 6 inches away") gesture control on NVIDIA's tablet reference design. At this rate, it shouldn't be long before we can control our tablets from afar -- it's just too much effort to reach over one's bowl of noodles to poke the screen.
Live from the Engadget CES Stage: MakerBot CEO Bre Pettis
We were calling CES 2013 the year of 3D printing. It's pretty clear this year, however, that the 3D printing explosion hadn't even began. The number of companies representing the technology has increased by enough to justify a standalone 3D printing area, and as usual MakerBot is helping to lead the charge. January 9, 2014 2:00:00 PM EST
MakerBot unveils a digital storefront, lets you buy 3D models for $1 a pop
"And here's my 'one more thing,'" Bre Prettis said with a smile, wrapping up tonight's MakerBot press conference at CES. Adding onto the company's much-loved Thingiverse database, MakerBot is offering up a way to purchase high-quality models for printing. The store features a number of collections, which you can either buy together or one piece at a time. The collections feature people, trucks, rocket ships, dragons, aircrafts and animals -- all solid choices. All of the sets are available now, with prices starting at $1 for single models and $10 for full collections. If you've got a MakerBot Replicator 2 at home, you can print one out today.
MakerBot shows off a trio of new apps: Desktop, Mobile and Printshop
Yeah, the hardware was the big reveal at today's MakerBot press conference (in some cases, quite literally), but the company also had some software to show off; namely a trio of new apps. First off is the new Desktop app, which lets you monitor and control your prints and access MakerWare, a feature that lets you view your print. It's set to arrive next month for free. Also new is MakerBot Mobile, an app that lets you monitor and control your printer remotely. The app also sends alerts to let you know when the prints are complete. You can also download prints directly from Thingiverse. That one's also free and will be coming to iOS in the spring, with Android to follow later in the year. The last addition to the MakerBot ecosystem is Printshop, a way to actually get those pesky 3D models to print. There are two ways to use it: a text feature, which lets you print out words and a bracelet maker, which, as you've no doubt already figured out, lets you design your own plastic wrist wearables. The app also features number of "Verified" files from Thingiverse, with easy access to good models. That one is coming to iOS this spring, with Android to follow later.
MakerBot unveils the extra-large Replicator Z18 3D printer
As for hardware reveal number three at today's MakerBot press conference at CES: This one's a biggie -- quite literally. The new MakerBot Replicator Z18 is a beast of a printer. The printer can do prints up to 12 x 12 x 18 inches, the latter number being is how the device got its name -- it can print up to 18 inches in the Z axis. All together that's 2,592 cubic inches of printing space. "This is industrial-strength 3D printing," Pettis explained. Feature-wise, you've got the same color display and USB/Ethernet/WiFi connectivity, built-in camera and Smart Extruder as the new third-generation Replicator. They also share that delicious stereo-like knob that subtly clicks in to place. Unlike the other Replicator, however, this one is enclosed, with a heater built in to assure more stable builds. Heating up that large of a space means it takes a little bit longer to start laying down filament, but the quality should be worth the wait. The Z18 starts shipping in spring for $6,499.
MakerBot announces a new Replicator: a connected 3D printer for $2,899
You heard all about the new Replicator Mini, right? Well, MakerBot's got a new "prosumer" machine to go along with it. "We didn't call it the Replicator 3," CEO Bre Pettis explained about the device, which breaks with the naming conventions of its predecessor. The build volume has increased by 11 percent over the Replicator 2, and the printer can create objects with resolution as small as 100 microns. As with the Mini, the new Replicator was built for PLA plastic. When you run out, the Replicator will actually send you a message to let you know. There's a 3.5-inch color LCD on the printer and a dial to navigate around it that was "modeled on high-end stereo equipment." The display will tell you, among other things, how much time you have left to print. There are connectors for USB and Ethernet, as well as built-in WiFi for printing from third-party devices. As with the Mini, there's an on-board camera for sharing build pictures. Both devices also feature the "Smart Extruder," which snaps on and off magnetically. The build platform, meanwhile has a light that indicates when it's leveled during the setup process. The third Replicator is up for pre-order right this minute for $2,899. It starts shipping next month. You can find an officially video announcement after the break.
MakerBot announces Replicator Mini 3D printer: one-touch printing for $1,375
When MakerBot CEO Bre Pettis hit the CES stage today, he was joined by three tall, somewhat ominous black boxes (along with, strangely, acoustic versions of Goo Goo Dolls and Stone Temple Pilots hits). After reminiscing about just how far the company has come in its past five CES appearances, the big unveiling commenced. The first box in the middle was the Replicator Mini. The printer, Pettis noted, is roughly the same size as the company's original Cupcake printer -- albeit a lot more powerful. It's also much more user-friendly, with a single-button experience. "If I was announcing cameras today," he added, "this would be the point-and-shoot." Pettis added that the printer has been "years in the making," getting the device "just how we wanted it." The Mini works with PLA and has built-in WiFi, so you can connect it directly to your devices for printing. There's also, interestingly, an on-board camera, which offers up print monitoring with photos you can share with your social networks via the aforementioned WiFi. Inside, you'll find a "Smart Extruder," which snaps on and off magnetically, for easier filament loading. And when it runs out of plastic, the printing just pauses. The printer will run $1,375 when it starts shipping in spring of this year.
MakerBot Academy aims to bring 'industrial revolution' to classrooms
The President calling for a revolution during a State of the Union should be enough to make anyone's ears perk up. The launch of MakerBot Academy is said to be a response to just that, an attempt to realize President Obama's plea to "ensure that the Next Industrial Revolution in manufacturing will happen in America." The plan for such a revolution is pretty simple from where 3D printer maker stands. The company is launching a classroom curriculum and a partnership with DonorsChoose.org and Autodesk aimed at bringing 3D printing to the classroom. And if it happens to come in the form of the Replicator, well, all the better for Bre Pettis and co, right? Starting today, interested parties can donate to the aforementioned crowdfunding non-profit to give students and teachers access to MakerBot's devices. The pack includes a Replicator 2, three spools of filament and MakerCare support.
Digitizer makes 3D scanning accessible, but not yet practical
When Bre Pettis unveiled MakerBot's Digitizer, you couldn't wipe the smile off his face. And, upon opening our own unit, it's easy to understand why. When you lift the plastic unit, swaddled in black foam, out of its cardboard box, you feel like you're stepping into the future. 3D scanning isn't exactly new, but the allure hasn't worn off yet. It's the missing ingredient in the Brooklyn-born company's ecosystem. Its printers have improved in leaps and bounds since it first started shipping the Cupcake CNC as a kit back in 2009, it finally has a user-friendly software suite in MakerWare and Thingiverse provides a vast repository of designs for people to download and print. But until now there has been no easy, affordable way for users to turn the objects they already own into printable 3D models. Of course, "affordable" is a relative term. At $1,400 the Digitizer isn't exactly an impulse purchase, but it's certainly cheaper than comparable systems. And what qualifies as a "comparable" system? Well, we're talking about desktop scanners that capture a full 360 degrees, are largely hands-off and self-contained (i.e., not a DIY kit built around a Kinect or smartphone). That means the Digitizer is actually entering a rather sparsely populated field. The big questions though, are how does it fits into the MakerBot universe and, more importantly, the life of the DIY enthusiast? Does the Digitizer do as advertised and turn your pile of doodads into easily replicateable digital files? You know where to look for answers, after the break.
gdgt's best deals for October 21st: MakerBot Replicator 2, Nikon D800
Ready to save some cash on your tech buys? Then you've come to the right place. Our friends at sister site gdgt track price drops on thousands of products every day, and twice a week they feature some of the best deals they've found right here. But act fast! Many of these are limited-time offers, and won't last long. Whether you're taking snapshots, making films or designing the next big whatchamacallit, these deals will help you on your way. Making all that magic happen will definitely burn some calories, and Garmin's Forerunner 610 fitness tracker can tell you if earned that extra cookie. And 3D printing? The sky's the limit. We won't try to box in your imagination, but we will point you in the direction of a sale when we see one. Join gdgt and add the gadgets you're shopping for to your "Want" list -- every time there's a price cut, you'll get an email alert!
MakerBot Thingiverse gets an iOS app for perusing 3D-printing projects on the go
Looking for your next 3D-printing project while roaming the streets just got a bit easier as MakerBot has released an iOS app for oogling creations in the Thingiverse. The free app allows users to browse the repository for featured, popular, new and recently made items. There's also the ability to like projects and add them to collections for closer inspection later. As you might expect, social media and email sharing are baked in as well as photo uploads of 3D outputs for show and tell. The app requires iOS 6 or later and is available for makers now via iTunes.
Daily Roundup: MakerBot Digitizer eyes-on, BlackBerry's bad news, iPhone 5s goes on sale, and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Bre Pettis on the MakerBot Digitizer: we're building an ecosystem (video)
"We get to set the standard in desktop 3D scanning," Bre Pettis says, beaming. "When we looked out at the world and saw what 3D scanners could do, we wanted to make something that could make really high quality models that you could create on your MakerBot." The CEO can't stop smiling at the close of the Digitizer's official press launch. It's the smile of a man who has just shown off a major piece of the puzzle -- an object that helps answer the question of just how, precisely, average consumers can create products to 3D print. "We're really building out an ecosystem," he says of the scanner, which joins the Replicator 2, MakerWare software and the Thingiverse online database in the MakerBot portfolio. "The game is on, we're building a nice suite of products that work really well together." It's a pricey piece, of course, coming in at $1,400, but Pettis insists that it'll give users a much fuller experience than hacked Kinect-type solutions, thanks in large part to the Digitizer's software solution. "There are DIY options out there, but we've spent the time and energy on the software to make this a really seamless experience." And as for a potential Replicator / Digitizer bundle deal, well, Pettis is only saying, "stay tuned."
MakerBot Digitizer eyes-on
This ain't the same Digitizer we saw back at South by Southwest. The prototype that was unveiled in Austin back in March looked an awful lot like those early generation MakerBot printers, borrowing heavily from the plywood aesthetic that seemed to imply that its creators had built the thing with their own hands. The version the company showed off at SXSW was in keeping with the company's mission statement of building things themselves, featuring a laser-cut wood frame and 3D printed parts. But the Brooklyn company's come a long way since those simpler RepRap days, growing into the leading light in the world of consumer-facing 3D printers. The Replicator 2 really drove the point home with a solidly constructed black frame that eschewed its predecessors' wood finish, and the Digitizer can easily be viewed as part of a matching set. "The MakerBot Digitizer started because I really wanted a 3D scanner to go with our 3D printer," said CEO Bre Pettis at today's event at the company's office in Brooklyn, "and they were all too expensive." The 3D scanner joins the Replicator, MakerWare and the online community Thingiverse as the major missing piece of the MakerBot ecosystem puzzle, an attempt to create the most user-friendly 3D-printing ecosystem available. Now you can download, create and scan your way into the 3D-printing world, from the comfort of your own (admittedly sizable) desktop.
MakerBot Digitizer pre-orders open, shipping mid-October for $1,400
MakerBot tipped off some of its loyal fans last week by way of newsletter, but now the Digitzer's arrival is officially officially. The next piece of the Brooklyn company's ever-expanding 3D printing ecosystem has been revealed piece by piece since debuting back at SXSW, and now it's finally ready to make its way to maker hands. Well, in a few months, at least. Pre-orders for the spinning 3D scanner are open now -- plunk down $1,400 (plus $150 for the MakerCare support program, if you're so inclined), and one of these bad boys can be yours in mid-October. The device captures 3D images from objects up to eight-inches tall with help from two lasers and a camera, a system the company has, naturally, optimized for its own Replicator printers and Thingiverse 3D object catalog. There's a press release below for those seeking more info.
MakerBot and Stratasys merger now official, promises 'full speed ahead' on 3D printing
Just a couple of months after Stratasys announced it would be acquiring 3D printing firm MakerBot, their marriage is now officially complete. Following the terms of the merger, the Israeli 3D printer and manufacturer will exchange up to 4.7 million of its shares for 100 percent of MakerBot's outstanding capital stock. Stratasys is widely known for factory-level printing and prototyping for designers and engineers, while MakerBot signifies its entry into the consumer space. Indeed, MakerBot is almost synonymous with the desktop 3D printing movement, having sold more than 22,000 3D printers since 2009. MakerBot founder and CEO Bre Pettis said in a statement that they're "excited for the future" and ended with a declaration of "full speed ahead!" Let's hope this "speed" refers to future iterations that will print out that miniature dalek in minutes rather than hours.
MakerBot's Digitizer will go on sale next week, promises 3D scanning to the masses
With UPS' incoming 3D printing service and the growing availability of consumer-ready kits, printing objects is easier than ever, assuming you actually have something ready to print. If not, don't fret --MakerBot is on the case, announcing today that its upcoming Digitizer will be available for sale next week. The company hasn't yet put a price on 3D scanning, but the device (seen above) is quite a bit cleaner than the prototype MakerBot trotted out at South by Southwest. "It's the easiest, fastest way for anyone to create 3D models," boasts the product's announcement email (seen after the break). "We optimized the whole process to work perfectly with MakerBot's Replicator Desktop 3D printers." Scanned objects can be resized, edited and uploaded to Thingiverse, and will be saved as a standard 3D design file compatible with third-party modeling programs. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have some crew members to replicate.
MakerBot's contest winners print a better birdhouse
Like The Longines Symphonette before it, Thingiverse's army of 3D printing enthusiasts don't rest, so when MakerBot put them to the task of building a better home for wayward birds, they naturally jumped into action. Not to put too fine a point on it, but while we're still a ways from indoor plumbing and the like, the American Craftsman Bungalow is surely the sort of thing any upwardly mobile winged friend would want to call home. The first place winner gets (fittingly) an Eggbot, some PLA filament, display space at the MakerBot NY store and the admiration of birds everywhere. And if Hitchcock has taught us anything, it's that you want those buggers on your side. You can download the schematics for all of the winners in the source link below, complete with the standard whistles and bells.
Stratasys to acquire 3D printing company MakerBot for $403 million in stock
Stratasys, an Israeli-based 3D printer and additive manufacturer has just agreed to acquire 3D printing company MakerBot for a proposed amount of $403 million in stock. They've announced a "definitive merger agreement" where MakerBot would converge with a subsidiary of Stratasys in a stock-for-stock transaction. After selling more than 22,000 3D printers since its inception in 2009, MakerBot is seen as a leader and pioneer in the 3D printing space, and about 11,000 of those sales were due to the Replicator 2 alone. MakerBot will operate as a separate entity with its own branding and marketing as part of the deal, and will provide an affordable 3D printing market for Stratasys. If all goes well with the regulators, it should be done by the third quarter of 2013.
MakerBot's Replicator 2 joins Amazon's newly launched 3D printer store
Granted, it's not a 3D printer in every home, but it's surely a step in the right direction. MakerBot announced today that its Replicator 2 will be joining Amazon's new 3D Printer Store, a central location on the site for devices, accessories, books and the like. The store features a number of other devices from the competition, though MakerBot seems to be far and away the biggest name involved at the moment. Surely the days of printing up those Amazon orders can't be too far off, right?
