Category Archives: News
Interview with Smithsonian X 3D Team about 3D Printing Initiative
This past week, the Smithsonian Institution unveiled Smithsonian X 3D, an online 3D digital collection that allows anyone to 3D print the museum’s most iconic objects.
To learn about the program, read our coverage: Smithsonian X 3D Launches with Emphasis on Outreach and Digital Preservation.
In this article we wanted to dive deeper into the process of creating these 3D printable assets, and also interview two key members of the team.
A Closer Look: 3D Scanning and Rendering Cosmic Buddha
In the gallery below, we provide a closer look at the process of 3D scanning and rendering digital assets for Smithsonian X 3D.
Smithsonian 3D Digitization Coordinator Adam Metallo scans the Cosmic Buddha at the Smithsonian’s Freer and Sackler Gallery.
The Buddha’s intricate carvings contain narrative scenes that depict a conceptual map of the universe depicting the Buddhist Realms of Existence, but the shallowness of the relief made it difficult for viewers and scholars to decipher.
A 3D digital rendering of the Buddha was able to increase the contrast of the carvings, providing a much more detailed and complete look at the artifact. An interactive 3D rendering will go on exhibit with the statue in 2013.
Interview with the Smithsonian X 3D Team
We caught up with Vince Rossi and Adam Metallo, 3D Program Officers under the Digitization Program Office for an interview.
Pictured above: Smithsonian 3-D Digitization coordinators Adam Metallo (L) and Vince Rossi stand behind a whale fossil in the Atacama Desert near Caldera, Chile. The massive “whale graveyard” was discovered by construction crews working to widen the Pan-American Highway (part of which can be seen in the bottom left of the photo). Metallo and Rossi accompanied Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History paleobiologist Nicholas Pyenson to the excavation to capture 3D digital information about the fossil which would remain in Chile at the Paleontological Museum of Caldera. Credit: Smithsonian Institution.
On 3D Printing: Please tell us about the original inspiration for this project. Who proposed the idea? How hard was it to get support?
Rossi & Metallo: We originally started thinking about how this technology can be used to better do our jobs within the museum—how can we use it to make better exhibits. We quickly realized that the potential of using 3D technology went far beyond just exhibits and we started to apply the tech towards research, conservation and collections applications.
On 3D Printing: Is the motivation preservation of historic objects or getting copies in people’s hands?
Rossi & Metallo: Our motivation is many-fold, but ultimately we want to use this technology to help tell stories about our collection and share our knowledge beyond our physical museum walls.
On 3D Printing: How open is the project with respect to IP and mashups?
Rossi & Metallo: We’ve released this data for non-commercial use (personal and educational).
On 3D Printing: How do you anticipate 3D printing contributing to the success of this project?
Rossi & Metallo: 3D printing is only just starting to be used in a personal and educational manner. We hope that this will be a resource to schools and make object-based education using our collection even more accessible. Please see our Education page for more details. http://3d.si.edu/article/
On 3D Printing: There have been other initiatives like the MakerBot Met digitizing event. Did you learn anything from these past events?
Rossi & Metallo: Crowdsourcing the digitization of objects is one way to scale the creation of this kind of data. However, most of those projects have focused on large, stone sculpture using only photogrammetry as the capture method. We wanted to test out this technology for a variety of objects and materials that you can find in our collection—objects from an airplane to an insect the size of your fingernail.
With our 20 use cases we have almost every one of the 19 Smithsonian museums represented – this points to both the scale and variety of our collection. Our next step is to look for ways to scale up our 3D efforts. These kinds of artifacts require more precise capture and data rendering tools.
Thanks to Mr. Rossi and Mr. Metallo for their time in this interview!
Smithsonian X 3D Launches with Emphasis on Outreach and Digital Preservation
Introducing the Smithsonian X 3D Project
This article was written by Lisa Perez, a regular contributor to On 3D Printing.
In an exciting development for all things 3D, this past Wednesday the Smithsonian Institution unveiled Smithsonian X 3D, an online 3D viewer and digital collection that allows anyone to explore digitally and 3D print some of the museum’s most iconic objects in detail.
The X 3D initiative is the centerpiece of a comprehensive effort by the Smithsonian Institution to enhance the preservation and accessibility of its collections through the use of 3D scanning, 3D imaging, and 3D printing. The Smithsonian’s bold foray into the realms of digital preservation and 3D printing with X 3D is an encouraging sign for observers who are eager to see these technologies applied in a real world setting and an important step forward in their evolutionary cycle.
“The Smithsonian is a leader in using 3D technology to make museum collections and scientific specimens more widely available for anyone to use and study,” said Günter Waibel, the director of the Institution’s Digitization Program Office. “The Smithsonian X 3D explorer and the initial objects we scanned are the first step in showing how this technology will transform the work of the Smithsonian and other museums and research institutions.”
Smithsonian Secretary Dr. G. Wayne Clough has made digital preservation and outreach a priority during his tenure, emphasizing that since 2008, the institution began to explore ways to “let the public in“ through digital technology. Dr. Clough has also authored an e-book on this subject titled Best of Both Worlds: Museums, Libraries, and Archives in a Digital Age, which was published by the Smithsonian earlier this year.
Leading up to the unveiling of X 3D, the Smithsonian’s Digitization Program Office has led the Institution’s digital outreach effort by testing a range of 3D scanning methods and technologies on iconic objects in the collection and engaging with outside partners.
The end product of these efforts has been an inaugural Smithsonian X 3D collection that includes highly detailed digital renderings of such well known artifacts as Amelia Earhart’s flight suit, a cast of Abraham Lincoln’s face taken during the Civil War, and the world’s first airplane, the Wright Flyer.
Pictured above: 3D rendering of Abraham Lincolnís life mask, held at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. Credit: Smithsonian Institution.
The Smithsonian anticipates that 3D renderings and 3D printed models generated from these scans will serve as valuable learning tools for researchers, educators and the general public alike.
Another exciting aspect of the initiative, spearheaded by the Digitization Program Office, is the 3D capture and virtual reality mapping of archaeological sites and artifacts.
For example, the archaeological objects scanned as part of the Smithsonian X 3D beta launch include fossil whale skeletons from the Cerro Ballena, an archaeological site in the Atacama region of Chile.
Pictured above: 3D scanning whale skeletons from Cerro Ballena. Credit: Smithsonian Institution.
During the X3D launch, the Smithsonian’s own 3D Data Wrangler Jonathan Blundell, led visitors through an Oculus Rift virtual reality tour of the fascinating Liang Bua cave on the island of Flores, Indonesia, where the Homo floresiensis––the so-called ‘hobbits’ of human evolution––were first discovered in 2003. This fascinating digital experience is also showcased as one of the available tours on the Smithsonian X 3D viewer, proving that state-of-the-art 3D scanning technology can extend far beyond objects to include even the sites of their discovery.
Pictured above: Liang Bua. Credit: Smithsonian Institution.
Learn more at about Smithsonian X 3D at http://3d.si.edu/.
Bre Pettis to Keynote Leadership Dinner at CES 2014
Bre Pettis, CEO and co-founder of MakerBot, a leader in desktop 3D printing, will deliver a keynote address at the 2014 International CES Leaders in Technology (LIT) Dinner.
“Bre Pettis’ leadership and passion for innovation have played a critical role in the success of 3D printing for both professionals and consumers – the consumer category didn’t even exist a few years ago and is now one of the biggest stories to come out of the International CES,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA. “We are thrilled to have Bre keynote the 2014 CES LIT dinner and look forward to hearing his vision for how 3D printing will transform entrepreneurship, business and consumer opportunities in the year ahead.”
Related: Read our coverage of 3D Printing at CES 2013
The LIT Dinner will take place at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 8, in the Lafite Ballroom at Wynn Las Vegas. The invitation-only event gathers and honors the top technologists, entrepreneurs and policymakers instrumental in furthering technology innovation.
Pettis has led MakerBot as CEO since its beginning in 2009. Prior to co-founding MakerBot, he co-founded the Brooklyn hacker collective NYC Resistor, where Makerbot technology was first created, tested and proven. Pettis was instrumental in building the first prototypes of MaterBot’s 3D printers, and has become known worldwide as a leading evangelist for personal manufacturing. In 2012, Pettis was honored with the Disruptive Innovation Award from the Tribeca Film Festival, for “creating an entire ecosystem for desktop 3D printing.” He is passionate about providing tools for individuals and organizations to create the world around them.
New to the 2014 CES show floor, the 3D printing TechZone will showcase the latest advancements in 3D printing technology from top companies in the category. Following its initial launch, the 3D Printing TechZone sold out more than 3,000 net square feet of exhibit space and has since expanded to 6,900 square feet to meet exhibitor demand.
Former LIT Dinner speakers include Skype CEO Josh Silverman; Huffington Post Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief Arianna Huffington; Netflix Co-Founder and CEO Reed Hastings; eBay Inc. President and CEO John Donahue; and Pandora Chief Strategy Officer and Founder Tim Westergren.
For more information on the 2014 CES, visit CESweb.org.
3D Printing Week: Schools, NASA, Windows 8, Motorcycles, and Celebs
3D Printing News
Here is a roundup of the top 3D printing news from last week.
Artec 3D scanners captured realistic models of The Big Bang Theory cast and Prince Andrew.
NASA showed how they plan to use a 3D printer in space.
Microsoft launched a free 3D printing app for Windows 8.
MakerBot Academy launched to put a 3D printer in every school.
The first performance electric motorcycle is being produced via 3D printing in Italy.
And much more!
All News
Tuesday, November 12
Wednesday, November 13
- MakerBot Academy Campaign to Put 3D Printers in Every School
- First Performance Italian Electric Motorcycle Designed and 3D Printed
Thursday, November 14
Friday, November 15
Saturday, November 16
Sunday, November 17
Top 10 Countdown: Most Popular 3D Printing Stories in October 2013
Here are the top 10 most popular stories On 3D Printing brought you in October 2013.
10. Shapeways 3D Printed Jewelry Sold in Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection
Holiday shoppers now have even more unique gift options with Neiman Marcus selling 3D printed jewelry from Shapeways.
9. 3D Printing Materials Will Grow to $615M Thanks to Proprietary Pricing
Do you think you pay a lot for your inkjet cartridge refills? 3D printing materials are following suit in premium pricing to grow to $615M market.
8. MakerBot Launches Thingiverse iPhone App for 3D Printing Community
The MakerBot Thingiverse team has launched a Thingiverse iPhone app that lets you browse, share and keep involved with the 3D printing community on the go.
7. Spooky Designs You Can 3D Print for Halloween from Shapeways
Here are some 3D printed designs that will be perfect additions to your Halloween. Some are decorations, others costumes, all available at Shapeways.
6. 3D Printing IPO Darling voxeljet (VJET) Soars on First Day of Trading
On its first day as a public company, voxeljet stock (VJET) is soaring at 70% above its initial targeted price of $13.
5. Retailer Asda Launches 3D Printed Portrait Service in the UK
Asda has become the first supermarket in the UK to offer customers the ability to get a 3D printed miniature of themselves right in the store.
4. 3D Printing Makes Online Marketplace Etsy Change Its Handmade Policy
Etsy no longer requires items to be handmade, but instead must have authorship with the seller. 3D printing is one of the factors influencing this decision.
3. Formlabs Raises $19 Million to Make Desktop 3D Printing Awesome
Founded by MIT engineers, Formlabs first raised $3 million on Kickstarter for the Form 1 3D printer and now adds $19 million in venture funding for growth.
2. voxeljet Plans $91 Million IPO (VJET) to Compete with DDD SSYS XONE
3D printer company voxeljet sets terms for $91 million IPO. It will list as VJET on the NYSE and compete with DDD, SSYS, and XONE.
1. Belgium Doctors Use Mcor 3D Printing to Save Precious Time in Surgery
In Belgium, doctors are 3D printing bone structures to shave hours off in the operating room, using paper 3D printing from Mcor Technologies.
Thanks for reading in October!
