Keith Ozar, Director of Consumer Products at 3D Systems, called this a “first ever.” I got 3D scanned by the new 3D Systems Sense handheld 3D scanner … wearing Google Glass.

Kevin Scofield, Sr. Product Manager for 3D Systems, joked that we might get sucked into the vortex. But luckily everyone came away from this experience unscathed.

Watch the video below of what it’s like to be 3D scanned by the Sense.

After scanning, which only took a minute or two, Scofield was able to touch up the 3D model very easily and upload the design to Cubify.com where I could download a file or 3D print it. Overall, a pretty amazing experience!

At a special press event at CES 2014 held by 3D Systems, an unexpected guest arrived: music megastar will.i.am.

Will is known for his creativity as well as his focus on philanthropy and sustainability. And he tied all of those together in a special announcement.

Joining Will was Avi Reichental, CEO of 3D Systems, who proudly named will.i.am as 3D Systems’ new Chief Creative Officer.

Will explained that his interest in 3D printing is anchored in education, specifically STEM. He has partnered with Lorraine Jobs, Steve Jobs’ wife, on related initiatives.

It’s also about sustainability, he said, describing a vision where leftover water bottles from a music concert can be recycled as filament for 3D printers.

“Less stuff going into landfills. It’s not waste anymore because you didn’t waste it,” said the pop star. “2025 looks totally different.”

I’m so proud to officially be a employee at @3Dsystems as chief creative officer (CCO) #CES2014 #GETmyGEEKon @On3DPrinting

— will.i.am (@iamwill) January 9, 2014

3D Systems Avi Reichental expressed his excitement for his new executive, “He is going to help us mainstream 3D printing. We’re not going to talk about will we have a 3D printer in every house, but what room in your home will the 3D printer reside?”

Reichental is right about will.i.am’s influence to mainstream 3D printing.

We first saw will.i.am get into 3D printing in December 2012, when his music video for Scream & Shout featuring Britney Spears had a will.i.am head being 3D printed on a MakerBot 3D printer. The video was viewed over 327 million times.

We are at #CES2014 in Las Vegas this week, where there are a whole lotta new 3D printers at the 3D Printing TechZone.

MakerBot, the darling of the desktop 3D printing world, announced three new 3D printers at the show.

We caught up with Bre Pettis, Founder and CEO of MakerBot, for an exclusive video interview and tour of the new announcements. Watch the full video below.

First, Bre Pettis showed us the MakerBot Replicator Mini, which sells for $1,375.

“You can make great collectibles with it,” said Pettis. The build area allows for objects 4” x 4” x 5”.

Pettis also suggested that the Replicator Mini 3D printer would be great for schools. MakerBot recently announced an education initiative called MakerBot Academy with a goal to put a 3D printer in every school in the U.S.

This is also one of the next generation of MakerBot 3D printers that are smart, explained Pettis. They know when they need more filament and say “feed me.”

MakerBot seems to be taking an Apple strategy, creating a desktop 3D printer for everyone’s needs. Instead of the iPad, iPad Mini, and iPhone, MakerBot has the Replicator Z18, the Replicator Fifth Generation, and the Replicator Mini.

“If the Replicator Mini is the consumer machine, the MakerBot Replicator [Fifth Generation] is the prosumer machine,” said Pettis.

Bre was especially product of the knob on the Replicator interface, modeled after high-end stereo equipment. This interface lets you browse and select projects to print and the 3D printer can connect to the Internet via Ethernet, with Wi-Fi coming soon. The Replicator sells for $2,899.

Pettis also showed us the Replicator Z18, a large-size 3D printer with a 12” x 12” build volume and a heated build chamber to keep models dimensionally stable. This monster of a 3D printer sells for $6,499. Pettis said he’s really excited to see what people create with such a large build area.

Back to the education initiative, Pettis – who is a former teacher – thought that the Replicator Z18 might be great

It’s Also About Software

While the MakerBot founder was really proud of the new desktop 3D printers, he was quick to emphasize that the software is also new and improved.

MakerBot announced this week the availability of the MakerBot desktop application including a digital store, the MakerBot mobile app, and the MakerBot PrintShop application that lets you design bracelets and other items.

Thanks to Bre Pettis for the interview!

Last year at CES was the year of 3D printing (and 3D TVs right?). MakerBot announced the Replicator 2X desktop 3D printer, recently merged Stratasys and Objet were showing off the Mojo 3D printer, and 3D Systems won Best in Tech for the Cube consumer 3D printer.

Well this year is already shaping up to blow last year away. It’s a 3D printer bonanza!

Related: Read our coverage of 3D Printing at CES 2013

3D Systems has already announced five (5!) new 3D printers, including devices that create edible treats, ceramic objects, and full-color 3D prints. MakerBot launched 3 new 3D printers including the Replicator Mini. And there are 28 companies in the 3D printing industry exhibiting at CES, including:

• 3D Printlife
• 3D Systems
• Afinia
• Beijing Tiertime Technology
• CEL Technology Ltd.
• DWS SRL
• EnvisionTEC Inc.
• Formlabs
• FSL3D
• Incodema Group
• Invoxia/Swissvoice
• Kevvox
• Leonar3do International
• LIGHTFORGE
• Makerbot Industries
• Matterform
• Mcor Technologies Ltd
• Old World Laboratories
• Pirate3DP Pte Ltd
• Robo 3D
• Sculpteo
• SolidIdea.com
• Solidoodle LLC
• Stratasys, Ltd.
• TCT Magazine + Personalize
• WhiteClouds
• 3Doodler
• XYZprinting Inc.

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) said it was expanding on last year’s 3D Printing TechZone by 25% to 4,400 square feet featuring 9 exhibitors, including 3D Systems, Makerbot Industries, Sculpteo, and Stratasys Inc.

“Exhibitor demand really drove our decision to formalize this 3D Printing TechZone, as it’s quickly becoming one of the more dynamic and innovative categories within our industry, while also becoming more accessible to consumers from a price perspective,” said Karen Chupka, senior vice president, International CES and corporate business strategy. “The sell-out response to this TechZone speaks to the strong interest in this category and the desire from leaders in the field to showcase their new products on the CES show floor.”

The 3D Printing TechZone will be located in the Las Vegas Convention and World Trade Center (LVCC), South Hall 3.

Stay tuned for more coverage. Tweet us @On3DPrinting to meet up!