Cocky Microsoft strokes soft tool in public for 3D printing on Windows 8.1 Windows 8.1 users with a yen for 3D printing and a few thousand bucks for a printer can get a free design application from Microsoft – as Redmond seeks to show it's as modern as the rest of them. 3D Builder Basic tool to get you on your 3D feet "I get excited about 3D printing. Really excited. Like Tom Cruise on Oprah’s …
I haven't got one, and I make things.
For making useful things, a CNC router is usually more suitable than a 3D printer. Lots of things can be assembled from 2D shapes: shelves, wine racks, stencils, cutting jigs, laptop stands, boxes, chairs, whatever...
After a CNC router, another useful machine is a metal lathe. You can make your own screw threads, which 3D printers often struggle with.
Sooner or later MS is going to link this 3D printing software to their Kinect tools, though there's every chance the open-source community already have done.
Brightly coloured plastic jewellery, a perfect complement to the not-metro interface on your phone, tablet, and PC.
I am going to gloss over the sarcasm in this (though I completely agree with the sentiment) and point out that using printed plastic parts for use in casting pieces in metal. I doubt this is what the marketing droid had in mind, but it is being done.
My take on 3D printing is that it will work similarly to the advent of photography, displacing a very expensive process previously only available to those with plenty of disposable cash. Where before only the wealthy could afford to have their portrait painted, many more people can now afford to sit for a photographer. I believe 3D printing will do much the same thing for sculpture.
I'm not sure 'Tom Cruise on Oprah's couch' is the image you want to provide if you aren't selling some sort of powerful behavior modification medicine. I'm also not sure a person who can actually relate to that episode should be speaking for, well, anything really.
When something's so squirrel shit nutty that even the Scientology lizards people don't want it then it's a pretty good indicator that you really shouldn't associate it with your product.
Anyone who would use [fused deposition modelling, i.e molten thermoplastic] 3D printing to make a gun is an idiot. You'd be much better off with a traditional metal shop. Even if you wanted to use engineering plastics and/or ceramics for X-ray-evading purposes, you'd still better off with a traditional workshop.
Now, a Selective Laser Sintering machine can produce a better firearm, but they cost so much money you'd be better off just buying your firearms.
Better yet, learn to enjoy the process of just making things and don't bother shooting anybody.
Coloured 3D printers do exist, but the assumption is that either the colour doesn't matter ( a prototype to assess the form and fit) or that you are going to have to sand, fill, sand, prime and paint anyway (an appearance model). Defects in lighter-coloured objects are easier spot, because shadows show up more.
The Makerbot Win 8.1 driver is available now through Windows Update. MakerBot 3D printer driver for Windows 8.1 goes live
The Makerbot Replicator 2 is $2,200. Expensive. But not out of line for a first generation consumer product.
HP introduced the mass-market laser printer, the LaserJet series II, in March 1987. The HP LaserJet II was designed from the ground up as a laser printer with correct order page output as opposed to being leveraged from the Canon PC-20 personal copier. The HP LaserJet II used PCL4, improved features, more memory and fonts for a market price of $2,695.
Adjusted for inflation, $5172,
Free and easy to use entry level CAD/CAM software. OS support. Supported hardware sold off-the-shelf through major retail outlets.
Not a bad place to begin.
"
Not a bad place to begin.
I'm actually glad the printers are still very expensive. The last thing I want is "cute" 3D objects becoming as common as AOL CDs. There are only so many cat objects I can handle before the need to strangle the giver overcomes my natural laziness. On the upside, maybe they'll go the same way. If there is a practical application, fine, just spare me the "look what I can do" rubbish.
/grumble
I already have a free program that makes 3D printer files (.stl). It's called SketchUp and it's been our for, er, I dunno, almost 8 years now?
It is also a very robust 3D program in general and is used worldwide for everything from traditional architecture to industrial design as well as by literally 10 of millions of hobbyists. Google it and see for yourself.
Once again, day late and a dollar short, Microsoft.
SketchUp is a great product. It isn't AutoCAD, but it isn't supposed to be. I have a cabinetmaker friend who designs high end custom furniture with SketchUp and with all the plugins available it becomes quite a powerful tool.
I really hope Trimble keeps it accessible and feature filled. All our survey and GPS equipment is from Trimble, and while they put out wonderful products they're built around a 'nickel & dime at a time' sales model and before you even realize it you've spent more on accessories and dodads than you did on the actual devices.
The Register 
Biting the hand that feeds IT
Copyright. All rights reserved © 1998–2024
