The Secret Sensuality of Trees: Michael Winstone’s Globe-trekking Race to Scan and 3D Print Trees Lost to Deforestation
For the past 20 years, Michael Winstone has traveled the world’s forests to scan and 3D print trees that are in danger of being cut down. His work is currently on display in museums, galleries and private displays around the world. His most famous work is 41°40’00’’N.00°54’30’’W, and other permanent public works include “N1-53-32-8:132º42′.34º45′.JA” in Takamiya, Hiroshima, Japan and “IGN.185: iv.269.904, Coto Redondo, Pontevedra, Spain.”
His sculptures feature human-like plant forms and simple fractal elements. These join together to create complex organic-shaped structures that feature “self-similarity” in anatomic texture, body and construction.
Winstone’s 3D printed trees preserves the bark striations and forms of real trees that no longer exist, as well as current trees that may be lost to disease, old age, or ongoing deforestation.
Read on about his life’s work.
(more…)
8 Things to Do at Maker Faire New York 2014
The 2014 New York Maker Faire, sponsored by Disney, is coming to New York September 20th and 21st. The i.materialise outreach team will be there, and we’ve compiled our top eight must-see parts of the Faire!
We also have free tickets to give away! To enter to win your free Maker Faire New York ticket, comment on this entry telling us what why you want a free ticket! This ticket has a value of over $40, and cannot be resold.
The i.materialise outreach team will be there to greet all winners, and give you a free i.materialise goodie bag (while supplies last.) If you didn’t win, we still have some goodies for you.
Read on for details about the eight must-see exhibits of the world’s greatest “show and tell.”
(more…)
Free 3D Printable iPhone 6 Template Cover Shell Case Now on Thingiverse!
When Apple announced the iPhone 6, we were the fastest in providing the world with a free downloadable iPhone 6 template 3D design. You can simply download the .STL file for the iPhone case from our Thingiverse account. This file is free for all to use – edit it, re-design it, and send to the printers!
(more…)
Source Firenze: Italy’s Free Design Exhibition in Florence Will Feature AmniosyA, .MGX, and Many More 3D Design Artists!
Source Firenze is a free Italian design exhibition coming to Florence (i.e. Firenze) area from September 11, 2014 to September 18, 2014. It takes place at the Limonaia Villa Strozzi of Florence (directions here), managed by the cultural association Officine Creative.
This Florence exhibition features 40 self-made designers, including the 2013 “i.materialise Designer of the Year” award-winner AmniosyA. It also includes activities for children, conferences, speakers and workshops. The event strives to provide attendees with new production techniques, business contacts, funding sources and inspiration.
Participation is free. Read on for details.
(more…)
2014 Highlights and Wrap-up for the London 3D Printshow!
The 2014 London 3D Printshow ended late last weekend as one of the biggest 3D printing events of the year. Now in its third official showing, the event was almost twice as large as last year’s, and sets a high bar for the Printshow’s global expansion.
The i.materialise Community Outreach team has your inside sneak peek! For those of you who couldn’t attend, here are some photos, highlights, and a few of our favorite moments. Additional photos are on our Facebook page.
Read on! (more…)
Mix-a-Monster Challenge: Create a Monster in Meshmixer and enter to win a Free Multicolor Gloss Print Plus a Premium 123D License!
Release the monster inside you! Use Autodesk’s free Meshmixer software to create and combine designs until you have a splendid new creature or crossbreed ready to show the world.
What is your monster like? Is it cute? Scary? Shy? Menacing? Show us! Upload your designs on our Challenge Page. Winners of the Mix-a-Monster challenge will receive a free multicolor gloss 3D print of their monster and a free Autodesk 123D Premium license.
Challenge ends on October 29, 2014! Read on for rules, special hints, and details. (more…)
We’re Set to Premiere New Multicolor Gloss Material and Free Software Talk at the London 3D Printshow!
London’s calling, and the i.materialise team is set to attend the 2014 London 3D Printshow starting on September 04, 2014!
Our Community Manager will give two talks, and our outreach team is bringing along a hoard of 3D printed goodies for our booth (Booth D2.) Our two talks are:
Beyond Plastic: 3D Printing & Designing in Metal & Ceramics
Where to Get Free 3D Design Programs
More importantly, we are all set to reveal our radiant new material at our booth: Multicolor Gloss.
Read on for directions, details, and more information about the goodies we’re bringing along.
(more…)
Announcing Our 10% Student Discount!
UPDATE: This post is from 2014. Click here for the latest promo code for students!
Calling all students!
i.materialise is now offering a 10% Student Discount for all students who qualify.
Read on for details, and for inspirational 3D design projects created by students!
(more…)
Introducing Our New Multicolor Gloss Material!
Good news for fans of multicolor, that sturdy sandstone material that comes out of the printer in vibrant colors!
This material is now available in a glossy, bright new finish that gives your print a smoother, more polished look. It can intensify dark or vibrant colors, diminish the appearance of print lines, and photograph in a similar way to cold-cast polymer resin.
Read on for details.
(more…)
SculptGL For Beginners: Powerful 3D Sculpting Without Software Downloads, Logins, or Headaches
SculptGL is a free 3D sculpting CAD (Computer Assisted Design) program created by Stephane Ginier, a University of Montréal exchange student. It lets users sculpt 3D designs, apply symmetry, import/export these files in 3D printable formats, and automatically share them on portfolio sites like Sketchfab.
It is free, browser-based (no software downloads!), does not make users create accounts, and can be used on devices that have limited internal storage space or memory (i.e. Chromebook.) Win! This is a good software to learn 3D sculpting on, but it does not include hollowing or hole-making (i.e. Boolean) features.
To make files printable, you may need a second software (like Blender) to hollow your files, add escape holes, and repair broken topology. You can also hire a designer to clean a file up for you. Read on for our definitive SculptGL 3D printing tutorial, lovingly assembled by your Community Manager.
(more…)
