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MakerBot's iPad app lets you sculpt 3D-printed objects from your couch
As a rule, serious 3D printers need equally serious design skills if you're building objects from scratch. That's no longer true for MakerBot's Replicators, though; the company has just trotted out PrintShop, an iPad app that takes the hard work out of making simple objects. You can build your own bracelets, rings and signs without knowing a lick about modelling software. If you'd like to craft something a little more sophisticated, you can browse a collection of ready-made items from the Thingiverse. We'd still suggest a rookie-friendly device like Printeer if you're primarily interested in basic designs, but this could be an easy way to let your kids in on the action -- or just to make something without leaving your sofa.
The Print Shop v2.0 Released
If you're an old-school Machead like me, chances are you've had more than one encounter with The Print Shop, an older but easy-to-use desktop layout program for the Macintosh. It used to be distributed by Broderbund, but disappeared for awhile during Apple's migration to Mac OS X. The software development company MacKiev picked up development of the title and released a very nice Mac OS X version of The Print Shop a year or so ago. And now they've just released The Print Shop v2.0.Version 2.0 has quite a few new features, including new DVD case layouts, drag-and-drop functionality with iPhoto, duplex printing, matching support for iDVD versions 3, 4, and 5, and also transparency and tint settings. They've more than doubled the number of graphics and photos included with the software and have significantly enhanced the toolsets to incude rulers, grids, guides, and snap-to functionality.The Print Shop v2.0 retails for $59.95 and will run natively on Apple's Intel Macs when they ship next year.I'm glad to see this software title is still being developed. Just last week, my sister was asking for an easy-to-use desktop publishing program to create cards, certificates, and brochures. I was going to recommend Swift Publisher (though I have very little experience with it), but I think I'll give The Print Shop a go. It's looking very good.
