High Definition Full Color

Color in 3D printing has evolved immensely over the past few years, with materials like High Definition Full Color becoming increasingly enticing due to Mimaki technology, relying on Material Jetting (MJ) with inks mixed directly into the droplets deposited onto the print bed. A staggering 10 million colors are available, produced via specific color profiles for arranging characterization data. For businesses and designers who do not enjoy hand-painting, full color 3D printing on the high-production Mimaki 3DUJ-553 means bidding farewell to countless hours of painstaking effort. For movie production companies and individuals responsible for special effects, full color 3D prints mean saving countless hours in labor.

High Definition Full Color lends unprecedented photorealism to applications like medicine and medical research, producing medical models so robust in color that medical students in training–or even the most experienced surgeons–may feel like they are catching a true glimpse into the human heart or brain. Incredibly detailed architectural models can be made also; for example, real-estate developers can demonstrate their long-term plans much more effectively with 3D printed plans for an entire block of buildings, and accompanying infrastructure. Gaming figurines are extremely popular too, with players going wild for the intense color detail now available for their beloved table-top characters.

Applying color and design details: Amazing shading and contrast are available, and most designers use High Definition Full Color when seeking fine detail with extended options for gradients and textures not previously possible. Thinner walls can be used for more complex designs too, even at a minimum of 1mm. Full-color models produced with High Definition Full Color are available in both standard and matte finish, although some staircasing may be noticeable in hard light conditions. Final parts can be coated too.

Read more about the design guidelines for High Definition Full Color here.

Multi-Color Polyjet

Multi-Color Polyjet is a tried and true technology, available in 500,000 color combinations. Relying on MJ technology with the Stratasys J750 printer, color liquid photopolymer droplets are deposited onto the print bed, and are cured by UV light. Multi-Color Polyjet is recommended for color medical models in terms of pre-visualization for surgeries, and more basic medical models which may not require quite as much intense color detail too.

Multi-Color Polyjet is also helpful in educational settings where vibrant, durable models are needed for visual aids to accompany training courses. This technology is also suitable for a wide range of artistic endeavors and commercial demonstration displays for retail areas too.

Applying color and design details: For Multi-Color Polyjet models, texture maps are required, and color models must be submitted as a single compressed .ZIP file containing a .DAE, .WRL, .X3D, .X3DB, or .X3DV with .PNG, .JPG, or .GIF texture files. Colors appear in the 3D render upon material selection at checkout when color models are uploaded correctly. 

Currently, instant quotes are only available for textured files. Find out more about Multi-Color Polyjet design guidelines here.

Full-Color Sandstone

Sandstone is used with Binder Jetting technology, imbuing gypsum-based powder with ink to produce bold colors that are perfect for basic miniatures or models used as visual aids. The natural finish offers a rough texture with matte coloring, while the glossy finish is used to bring out color further, as well as providing moisture resistance.

Generally a more basic and economical option, Shapeways often recommends this material for beginners, as well as for use in projects requiring objects with a more natural texture—like models of the solar system, for example.

Applying color and design details: Shapeways also recommends adding hard edges for the most well-defined colors, limiting shading. With sandstone, color is only applied to the surface of the print, which is then coated in a cyanoacrylate solution that adds to the durability of the model and enhances vibrancy of colors. 

With the natural grainy finish, texture is already applied to the outside of sandstone products. This type of finish is often preferred in promoting greater realism for a specific application.

It may be difficult to attain fine detail in larger sandstone parts too. For consistent color and success in printing, models should be hollowed, with a wall thickness around 3mm. Find out more in the design guidelines for full-color sandstone here.

Long-Time Shapeways Customers Center Their Business Around Color 3D Printing

Full color illuminates any new product, and especially when accompanied by advanced solutions—with high standards from Shapeways continuing to result in high-quality production. Beyond the obvious decorative effect though, color invokes powerful emotions in consumers, which means that it also translates to solidifying and identifying a brand. 

Shapeways customers like Hero Forge are a great example: their eight-year collaboration with Shapeways has culminated in a streamlined partnership as customers order full-color miniatures for tabletop gaming with nearly unlimited customization options from the Hero Forge website. Orders are fulfilled through Shapeways—3D printed in High Definition Full Color on Mimaki printers—and shipped out in customized packaging.

It All Begins with that First Upload

Beginning with full color is as easy as creating an account with Shapeways and uploading a 3D model. The automated system checks for printability, and sends an instant quote. Shapeways can also help you find out more about compatibility with materials, fix files that may have typical problems, and offer the option to speak with a professional designer. Enjoy a variety of different ways to optimize your products, with the ability to upload as many as 20 models at once. 

About Shapeways

Enjoy the benefits of this advanced technology and a wide range of materials from Shapeways for 3D printing your creations with accuracy, complex detail, and no minimum or limits in terms of mass customization or single part orders. Shapeways has worked with over 1 million customers in 160 countries to 3D print over 20 million parts! Read about case studies, find out more about Shapeways solutions, and get instant quotes here.

The post Innovating in 3D Print: Why Full Color is So Compelling appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Here’s a quick guide to some of the most amazing materials you can design and 3D print with right now.

Frosted Detail Plastic

If you’re looking for the most accurate 3D printing material, one of the best options is frosted detail plastic. We use a multi-jet process, printing and curing each layer one at a time to create high-definition designs that are perfect for model trains, miniature figures, and other small objects.

Frosted detail plastic comes in Ultra and Extreme Detail options—the latter is best for incredibly detailed features like engravings. Both versions of the material can also be painted over easily for a splash of color.

HP Nylon Plastic

We use a top of the line HP Jet Fusion 3D 4200 to print strong and functional objects out of nylon plastic. It’s perfect for phone cases, camera mounts, and drone parts, but it’s also smooth enough to make jewelry, toys, and home decor.

Nylon plastic is also cheap to print, and comes in black or gray. If you’re designing with it, keep in mind that stiff, thicker objects are less likely to warp. Smaller details will also show up more clearly in black.

Aluminum

This is the only metal material other than steel that we can directly print (rather than 3D printing wax and creating a mold). Aluminum’s strength makes it an ideal choice for mechanical and other load bearing parts.  Additionally, Aluminum is perfect for bike accessories and other products that will be exposed to the environment due its high corrosion resistance. It’s not cheap to print, but it’s still not as expensive as other metal materials like gold.

If you’re designing in aluminum, remember that sharp edges on your object could get rounded down. The material also isn’t accurate enough for complex interacting parts like screws and nuts, though it does support interlocking parts.

Full Color Sandstone

If you want a multi-colored object, Sandstone is the way to go. It’s a fantastic full-color 3D printing material and it’s pretty cheap too, making it the perfect choice for figurines and lifelike models.

Shapeways special printing process for Sandstone involves creating one layer of color at a time.The finished product will look amazing on your desk or up on a shelf, though it’s too brittle to be handled on a regular basis.

Gold and Platinum

Finally, we come to precious metals. Yes, you can create gold objects with Shapeways in either 14 karat (gold, rose gold, or white gold) or an extra vibrant 18k gold option. For truly special objects, you can also choose to 3D print in platinum.

The process involves 3D printing a wax model which is used to create a plaster mold.  The plaster mold is used to pour and cast the material, and it works for platinum too. It’s perfect for creating small rings, earrings and other jewelry. Of course, gold and platinum don’t come cheap, but if you’re looking to create an extra special piece of jewelry, this is a great way to do it.

Try it Now

The post 6 Incredible Materials You Can 3D Print in Now appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Welcome to Tutorial Tuesday! This time we’ll get a little more technical, focusing on some of the more specialized issues that arise when designing, exporting, and printing 3D models. If you’re already a designer or 3D modeler and need technical advice on how to convert and export your designs and animations for 3D printing, then this week is for you.

3D Printing in Full Color

There are lots of options for 3D printing in one color or finish at a time, but just one if you want to print multi-color objects at Shapeways: Full Color Sandstone. The printed colors of your 3D model can be determined by a detailed UV texture map that you upload with your design, or by adding colors to the faces of your design in some 3D modeling programs. With full color printing, you can create some amazing models like those shown above.

Get started printing in full color by reading the step-by-step Shapeways tutorial on Exporting to VRML and X3D for color printing. Full color printing is especially great for printing 3D character models from video games or animations. But not every 3D character design is suitable for 3D printing; what looks good on the screen might have areas that are too thin for printing successfully, or the mesh of the digital model might have problems that affect printability. Not only that, but a digital 3D character model doesn’t have to worry about gravity or balance, but a physical, 3D printed version of that model might not be able to stand up without falling over, due to tiny legs or an awkward pose. Learn how to convert your favorite video game and animation designs into 3D-printable models with the Shapeways tutorial Tips and tricks for character models.

ALL SET? GET PRINTING

Advanced Character Printing

Even if you’re a professional 3D modeler, it can be difficult to convert your digital models into ones that are suitable for 3D printing. Shapeways member BhushanArekar is a ZBrush sculptor who has created many 3D printed full color designs, including this model of Xev from The LEXX:

The following detailed two-part Shapeways tutorials by Laurie Berenhaus will help you turn your intricate characters into real-life printed models: Part 1: How to Prepare your Render/Animation Model for 3D Printing, and Part 2: Adapting your Character or Animation Model for 3D Printing, which includes a video.  If your model has articulated or mechanical parts, then you may also appreciate the tips in the Shapeways tutorial Designing mechanical parts for 3D printing.

Ready to print your full color model? Get started here.

PRINT YOUR DESIGN

The post Best of Tutorial Tuesday: Full-Color Printing and Character Models appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Your work appears to have come from another world, but it’s very rooted in basic, familiar forms. Can you describe the process that turns kale into Kale, a cylinder into Decay?

Agave, printed in Shapeways’ White, Strong & Flexible. 9.7 x 9.7 x 4.5 in.

Much of my work is about creating complexity from a simple starting point. The pieces in the show are grouped into four different categories, according to the way this happens.

In the Growth and Decay series, I begin with simple forms and subject them to simulated forces to change them into something interesting.

In Decay, the starting form is a cylinder, which is subjected to an external simulated-gravity, causing it to partially buckle. In Growth, the forces are internal expansions which cause simple shapes like disks and cylinders to twist and expand in unpredictable ways.

In the other two series of pieces, Pattern and Symmetry, I start with a small, simple 3-dimensional shape, and force that motif to repeat in space. The repetition happens either by simple patterning over a surface, or by applying various reflections and rotations.

Crumple, printed in Shapeways’ White, Strong & Flexible. 4 x 4 x 23.2 in.

Can you describe the genesis of your art? Was it an outgrowth of your mathematical research, or did you want to be an artist all along? How did 3D printing play a part?

I did have some interest in drawing and painting when I was young, but didn’t do much about it until recent years.

I started experimenting with 3D printing primarily as a way to create classroom demonstration models in my university classes. Shortly after that, I started co-teaching classes on 3D design with some of our art faculty, and that led me to doing some artistic explorations on my own.

Since then I’ve really become enamored with the idea of using mathematics as a tool for design. 3D printing is the only technology that can turn my designs into physical realities.

How did your upcoming exhibition at MorYork come about? What’s the primary theme or focus on the show?

MorYork is the studio and gallery of artist Clare Graham. Clare had seen my work before, and contacted me several years ago about doing a series of polyhedra. Since then we’ve become friends, and a few months ago he offered to show my work in his gallery.

Tell us about why you chose the White Strong & Flexible nylon plastic material to bring your designs to life.

Half of the pieces in the show are White Strong & Flexible, and half are full color sandstone. Both of those are available in large enough sizes for gallery pieces. WSF is ideal for lampshades, because of its low weight and translucency. Sandstone has the advantage of being available in full color. Its higher weight gives it a solid feel, which is desirable for sculptural pieces.

Where can we find your work, outside MorYork?

I post most of my work on my website and at my shapeways shop, www.shapeways.com/shops/Bachman.

Trefoiled, printed in Shapeways’ Coated Full Color Sandstone. 9.1 x 9.5 x 4.5 in.

Any advice for the many people who are coming into their own as artists, thanks to 3D printing?

3D printing allows us to create objects with complex geometries, which are not possible to fabricate in any other way. However, to really take advantage of this power you have to develop proficiency with some design software, just like the way an aspiring painter has to master the use of a paintbrush. Each software package has strengths and weaknesses, so do a little research first to find one that suits your artistic practices.

If you’ll be in Los Angeles on Nov. 10, don’t miss opening night of David’s exhibition. All the details can be found here.

Cover image:
Hyperbole
Shapeways’ White, Strong & Flexible
10.9 x 11.4 x 5.9 in.

The post Artist David Bachman Unlocks the Secret Identities of Everyday Objects appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Ron talked with us about a new outlet for 3D printing he’s discovered thanks to his son’s work, and how it has helped them connect to the community they love.

How did you find out about this project? 

Fresh out of college, my son had this idea to create a coloring book based on iconic buildings where we’d spend our summers. It was called Color Greenport. He and I went around Greenport trying to find the best places to include for the book, then he cranked out a finished book in six weeks. After it sold out at the store he left it with, they asked for twice what he left them — and his business was born.

Via colorourtown.com

When we heard about the Suffolk County Historical Society Museum’s exhibition “Riverhead in Living Color,” we thought it would be a perfect opportunity to showcase the work that Jake had done thus far, the book on Riverhead especially. Then we had the idea to 3D print some of these beautiful landmarks Riverhead has to offer, [in Full Color Sandstone], and we got in contact with the SCHS. We were elated to find out that they thought it was a great idea as well, and wanted it to be a featured exhibit! After the SCHS event, the exhibit is going to become a permanent exhibit at the Railroad Museum of Long Island.

How are you and your son working together on this?

Jake is really the powerhouse behind it all. He does the research, legwork, and photography to get a prototype. From there he sends it to the talented artists he works with to get the line drawings. From there, he compiles the book himself, writes the copy, edits it, and publishes it.

I’ve got a lot of contacts in the 3D printing world, so I was able to enlist the help of two very talented local 3D modelers — Vitaliy Burov and Lilly Yanova. Together we created some excellent work.

What does it mean to you to work on this with Jake?

I mean, you really can’t say anything that does justice to that feeling. Working with him to create a business that sells a product people love means more to me than I can really put into words. My pride in him swells every time I think of what he’s accomplished thus far, honestly. I’m glad to have been able to help him along with my skills as well. As far as this exhibit, I don’t think there’s ever been anything done at this scale, with this level of detail, and I’m very excited to be part of it.

How does it feel to have a lasting legacy with this project?

Honestly, it just feels great. I personally hope this exhibit gives kids the inspiration to go into 3D printing — to see the depth and complexity of what’s possible, and how you can create amazing things with that. And if we’re lucky, we can do that for every town Jake wants to make a coloring book of. And judging by what he’s got on the horizon, that’d be quite a few cities to build!

Outside of this project, what do you primarily use 3D printing for?

Well, I’ve been in the creative space for over 40 years. I remember doing computer programming on punch cards! But when I found 3D printing, I pursued a business centered in education. I aimed to provide children and those interested in the field with the tools to start for themselves. It’s really been my passion to try and make this amazing technology accessible to everyone.

How does it feel to do what you do? How does it feel to finally hold that finished piece in your hand?

It doesn’t get much better than that. I mean, I love this. Even when I wasn’t working with Jake, 3D printing gives you a product that you simply can’t get anywhere else. And while it feels great to hold the finished piece, the greatest part comes when you share it with others. It’s why I’m so passionate about this project. So many people are going to see what 3D printing can accomplish that might have never seen it before.

Finally, what does the future hold for you? What do you have coming up, and what plans do you have moving forward for your model-making?

Going forward, I really want to help Jake accomplish his goals. I have total confidence in the product he makes. His work inspires hometown pride, something that deserves to be spread far and wide. I also want to ensure that 3D printing is accessible and inspirational to our audiences.

Coloring books are a great cross-demographic product right now. I hope the combination of those, nostalgia for one’s hometown, and the terrific pieces my son uncovers in his research can get more people passionate about 3D printing. Even if that doesn’t happen, I’m just proud to be at my son’s side as he follows his dreams.

You can find more from Ron and Jake at their website, ColorOurTown.com. If you’re in the Long Island area, check out Jake and Ron’s exhibit at the Suffolk County Historical Society’s Opening Reception this Saturday, October 14th,  from 1-3pm at the Suffolk County Historical Society Museum. Click here for full details. 

Everything in place for the big show!

Unless otherwise stated, all images via Ron Rose.

The post Where Family, Community, and 3D Printing Meet — An Interview With Ron Rose appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Welcome to the second Tutorial Tuesday! There’s a lot of 3D printing and design information on the internet, and it’s our job to sort it out. Let us know in the comments what you’re working on and learning about, and we’ll try to tailor future Tutorial Tuesdays to your needs.

We’ll pick up where we left off last time, with a second round of design and printing tutorials from right here at Shapeways. This time we’ll get technical, focusing on some of the more specialized issues that arise when designing, exporting, and printing 3D models. If you’re already a designer or 3D modeler and need technical advice on how to convert and export your designs and animations for 3D printing, then this week is for you.

3D Printing in Full Color

There are lots of options for 3D printing in one color or finish at a time, but just one if you want to print multi-color objects at Shapeways: Full Color Sandstone. The printed colors of your 3D model can be determined by a detailed UV texture map that you upload with your design, or by adding colors to the faces of your design in some 3D modeling programs. With full color printing, you can create some amazing models like those shown above.

Get started printing in full color by reading the step-by-step Shapeways tutorial on Exporting to VRML and X3D for color printing, or watching the Shapeways video Full Color 3D Printing. Full color printing is especially great for printing 3D character models from video games or animations. But not every 3D character design is suitable for 3D printing; what looks good on the screen might have areas that are too thin for printing successfully, or the mesh of the digital model might have problems that affect printability. Not only that, but a digital 3D character model doesn’t have to worry about gravity or balance, but a physical, 3D printed version of that model might not be able to stand up without falling over, due to tiny legs or an awkward pose. Learn how to convert your favorite video game and animation designs into 3D-printable models with the Shapeways tutorial Tips and tricks for character models.

Advanced Character Printing

Even if you’re a professional 3D modeler, it can be difficult to convert your digital models into ones that are suitable for 3D printing. Shapeways member BhushanArekar is a ZBrush sculptor who has created many 3D printed full color designs, including this model of Xev from The LEXX:

The following detailed two-part Shapeways tutorials by Laurie Berenhaus will help you turn your intricate characters into real-life printed models: Part 1: How to Prepare your Render/Animation Model for 3D Printing, and Part 2: Adapting your Character or Animation Model for 3D Printing, which includes a video.  If your model has articulated or mechanical parts, then you may also appreciate the tips in the Shapeways tutorial Designing mechanical parts for 3D printing.

Even after all that, we’ve barely scratched the surface of the tutorials that Shapeways has to offer — but that’s enough for this week!  This week we got technical, but next week we’ll go back to the basics and explore how to create 3D designs with one of the most easy-to-use 3D design programs, Tinkercad, so stay tuned.

We’d love to hear from you, so if you’d like to share your own experiences 3D printing in color or with converted character designs, please join the discussion in the comments. And as always, if there is a topic or technique you’d like to learn more about, let us know and we’ll try to make it a topic of a future Tutorial Tuesday. Have a great week!

The post Tutorial Tuesday 2: Full-Color Printing and Character Models appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

One of the most amazing aspects of 3D scanning is the ability to digitize a form, space, shape or even human. With Shapeways you’re able to transform those scans and memories into tangible objects you can hold in your hand, and today we’re introducing a new material perfect for all your 3D scans: Coated Full Color Sandstone.

Coated Full Color Sandstone adds a glossy finish to your full color designs to give a more premium and finished look. The coating is sprayed on, providing an even and consistent surface finish. It adds some water resistance and durability to all your Full Color Sandstone products, and is especially great for 3D scans.  While some makers have been playing and experimenting with the material for months, it’s now officially available in our marketplace for anyone to get their own gorgeous glossy 3D selfie.

As 3D scanning becomes more popular and accessible, people are realizing how much fun it can be to create miniature versions of themselves, friends and family to collect. Just like photos, they are a great way to preserve memories, and the finish of Coated Full Color Sandstone ensures they will look great on display. The colors are more vibrant and the final look is a little more finished and professional.

Last year we announced multiple locations in New York and in the Netherlands where anyone can get scanned and receive their very own 3D selfie. It just takes a minute or so of standing still while you’re being scanned, and then you’ll be able to have your very own selfie to hold in your hand. If you are a maker and looking to add 3D scanning to your repertoire, check out how to get started scanning.

Want to try it out on yourself? If you’re in the New York area head over to Pixel Academy to get yourself and your family scanned. If you’re in the Netherlands, check out the list of scanning locations to find the place nearest you!

Check out this demonstration of Coated Full Color Sandstone, featuring Dan and Stan!

When you get your next 3D printed selfie, don’t forget to share it with us!  Post on your favorite social media channel and tag @shapeways so we can share you with the world!

The post Introducing Coated Full Color Sandstone: Your 3D selfie has never looked better! appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Meet Coated Full Color Sandstone. By hand brushing Full Color Sandstone pieces with a two-part epoxy resin, we are able to increase the strength and color of sandstone products, and give them a smooth, glossy sheen. We’re very excited about this new process, and believe it has huge potential for the Shapeways marketplace. As with most new materials, we’re starting out with a maker pilot to give you a chance to provide feedback and make sure it’s as great as we think before launching to everyone.

The design guidelines are exactly the same, so anything you’ve designed for regular Full Color Sandstone will work with our new process. At $5.00 startup and $.85 per cc, Coated Full Color Sandstone is only slightly more expensive than regular sandstone.

To get started, simply visit the Pilot Page and click the join button. You can start ordering your full color models instantly.

Please share your photographs in our forums so we can gather feedback. We can’t wait to see what you make?

The post Introducing Coated Full Color Sandstone appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Take a look first at our most popular material, 3D printed Nylon (WSF).

It does catch fire fairly easily but seems to extinguish itself after a short time based on this geometry.  The Nylon melts into a hot, smelly napalm type form then cools and hardens fairly quickly.  Do not try this at home. Do not expose your Nylon 3D prints to fire.

Next we set fire to the 3D Printed Metallic Plastic (Alumide) which is a Nylon and Aluminum powder based 3D printing process.  It does catch fire very easily and stays alight, dripping a really nasty powdery, smelly hot napalm type goop, literally dripping fire.  You should really keep your Metallic Plastic (Alumide) 3D prints away from exposed fire. Really.

Setting fire to Shapeways 3D Printed Full Color Sandstone (Gypsum Powder, Binder, Ink and Cyanoacrylate) which is a powder based 3D printing process developed by Zcorp.  It does catch fire quite easily and stays alight, burning slowly and steadily.    The smell is not to noxious, smelling a little like burnt paper or cardboard.  After 6 minutes the 3D print was still burning so I blew it out to save the boredom.

All three of these 3D printed materials should definitely be kept away from naked flames.

The post More Videos of Shapeways 3D Printed Materials Torture Testing with FIRE appeared first on Shapeways Blog.