Lagoa, the 3D cloud platform company, has acquired 3DTin, a browser-based 3D modeling tool.  Over the past 3 years, 3DTin has grown a user base of more than 100,000 designers who signed up to use the Cloud-powered, simple 3D modeler. Lagoa raised money and launched earlier this year with a photo-realistic cloud rendering product.

With Lagoa’s products, you can work on rendering projects from your low end laptop, where it used to take a rack of powerful desktop machines before. Lagoa leverages the cloud to do the compute intensive rendering jobs. You can import your 3D models (in many different formats) to Lagoa’s Scene editor, apply different materials to the model, adjust the light configuration in the scene and create gorgeous picture perfect renders like this one.

The acquisition demonstrates Lagoa’s commitment to its vision of bringing the accessibility and power of browser-based 3D applications to everyone. In addition to supporting 3DTin’s community of young creators and makers, the acquisition will allow Lagoa to improve its scene editing capabilities in its online 3D rendering platform. Lagoa intends to maintain 3DTin as an independent solution. The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

“The browser-based nature of 3DTin makes it the perfect addition to Lagoa,” said Thiago Costa, CEO and co-founder of Lagoa. “We are excited to be giving our support to the growing community of makers, young creators and 3D printing prosumers that make up 3DTin’s user base. We also look forward to the new scene editing capabilities we will be able to bring to Lagoa as a result of the acquisition.”

3DTin Founder and Developer Jayesh Salvi said, “We are thrilled to be joining Lagoa, who share our passion for the accessibility and freedom of browser-based 3D tools. With Lagoa’s exceptional rendering product, 3DTin users will be able to do more with their 3D models. They will continue to enjoy all the great features they have grown to like in 3DTin and can expect more enhancements to their workflow, thanks to Lagoa.”

Both the Lagoa rendering application and the 3DTin modeling tool will be on demonstration at World Maker Faire in New York City, September 21-22, at Lagoa booth number MP39, Pavillion C.

History of 3DTin and Lagoa

3DTin was the first company to enable browser-based modeling, in 2010. Free and easy-to-use, 3DTin is a 3D modeling environment that is perfect for beginners and young makers, but with a growing list of advanced features it is attracting professional 3D artists as well.  For more information, visit http://www.3dtin.com/.

Lagoa is a 3D Cloud Platform utilizes the power of cloud processing for photoreal 3D visualization and collaboration, and allows developers to create their own applications via their API library. Fast and powerful, Lagoa enables 3D artists, designers, engineers, architects and advertisers to collaborate while rendering and finalizing spectacular 3D content. The company was founded in 2012 in Montreal, and has offices in Bonn and Boston. For more information, visit http://home.lagoa.com/.

Just days after we posted a deep analysis on 3D Systems and their M&A activity, the 3D printing giant acquired another company: The Sugar Lab.

The Sugar Lab is a start-up micro-design firm based in Los Angeles, California, dedicated to 3D printing customized, multi-dimensional, edible confections in real sugar. The Sugar Lab adopted 3D Systems’ Color Jet Printing (CJP) technology to print on a sugar bed using different flavored edible binders that meet all food safety requirements.

The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

3D Systems plans to immediately integrate The Sugar Lab 3D printing technique into its professional and consumer content-to-print platforms with a variety of production-quality applications as well as the ability to 3D print indulgences at home.

“The overlap of technology, food and art is so rich, and the potential for customization and innovation is limitless,” said Liz von Hasseln, cofounder of the Sugar Lab.  Existing commercial applications for printable sugar include complex sculptural cakes for weddings and special events that are made possible only with 3D printing, and customizable confections for bake shops and restaurants. Continued von Hasseln, “We see our technology quickly evolving into a variety of flavors and foods, powered by real food printers for professionals and consumers alike and we could not think of a more qualified partner than 3D Systems to help make that a reality.”

“I believe there is a social covenant for indulgence that begins with desserts and The Sugar Lab will accelerate our ability to bring edible 3D printables to the masses while empowering chefs, restaurateurs and confectioners with never before explored digital creation tools for food,” said Avi Reichental, President and CEO of 3D Systems. “We are absolutely thrilled to partner with two kindred spirits; Liz and Kyle von Hasseln to quickly re-purpose our core 3D Systems print technology and jointly create delicious, custom confections.”

Below is a gallery of the sweet sugar 3D printed creations by The Sugar Lab:

Related stories about 3D printing in sugar:

• Open-Source 3D Printer Pwdr Takes on MakerBot, Offers New Materials
• Scientists Create Blood Vessels Using Sugar and 3D Printing
• Innovative and Strange 3D Printing: Chocolate, Stone, Candy, Organs

3D Systems Continues Acquisitions with UK-Based CRDM

3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) announced that it has acquired CRDM, Ltd. , a leading UK provider of rapid prototyping and rapid tooling services based in Bucks, England. The company intends to immediately integrate CRDM into its global Quickparts Solutions custom parts and manufacturing services. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

CRDM, Ltd. designs, prototypes and manufactures parts and tooling for a variety of automotive, aerospace, medical device and motorsports applications, including F1. With almost two decades of experience and a loyal customer base, CRDM extends 3D Systems’ offerings and its footprint in the UK, further positioning the company at the center of the rapidly growing, direct manufacturing opportunity.

“CRDM is a strategic and geographically important addition to our rapidly growing 3D content-to-print services portfolio,” said Ziad Abou, Vice President and General Manager, Quickparts Solutions, 3D Systems. “With a proven track record in advanced manufacturing and rapid tooling, CRDM complements and expands our extensive range of custom parts services.”

More information is available at www.3DSystems.com

3D Printing News

A roundup of the top 3D printing news from August 12 to August 18:

Tuesday, August 13

• Artist Joshua Harker Designs Unique Cover for Fuel3D 3D Scanner

Wednesday, August 14

• MakerBot Announces Availability of Desktop 3D Scanner MakerBot Digitizer

Thursday, August 15

• Attend Inside 3D Printing Conference in San Jose – 15% Discount

Friday, August 16

• Stratasys and MakerBot Complete Merger

Saturday, August 17

• Top 10 Countdown: Most Popular 3D Printing Stories in July 2013

Stratasys, Ltd. (NASDAQ: SSYS) and MakerBot announced the completion of their $403 million merger first announced on June 19th.

Stratasys is a pioneer in 3D printing for prototyping and production, and for more than 25 years has enabled designers and engineers to bring their ideas to life. MakerBot, founded in 2009, helped develop the desktop 3D printing market and has built the largest installed base of 3D printers in the category by making 3D printers highly accessible. MakerBot has sold more than 22,000 3D printers since 2009.

“Stratasys and MakerBot share a vision about the potential for 3D printing to transform design and manufacturing,” said David Reis, Stratasys CEO. “Our goal now is to maximize the benefits this merger creates for our shareholders, our customers and our employees.”

Bre Pettis, CEO of MakerBot added, “We are excited for the future – full speed ahead!”

Transaction Information

Consistent with the terms of the merger, Stratasys will issue up to 4.7 million of its shares in exchange for 100% of the outstanding capital stock of MakerBot. MakerBot stakeholders also qualify for performance-based earn-outs that provide for the issue of up to an additional 2.36 million shares through the end of 2014. Those earn-outs, if earned, will be made in Stratasys shares or cash (in an amount reflecting the value of the Stratasys shares that would have otherwise been issued at the relevant earn-out determination date), or a combination thereof, at Stratasys’ discretion.

Read more at MarketPitch.