No need to buy a gift box when you can 3-D print one. Design: Alia Hasan
3-D printing puts manufacturing on designers’ desks, at least for those who have access to a desktop printer. For the rest of us, Wired is inviting you to show off your 3-D design skills in our 3-D print-off. Send us your original, printable designs; we’ll post the submissions on our site, then select the ten coolest to print through Shapeways.com in one of many of their printable materials and feature in a photo gallery. Show the world your masterpiece, from your name in three-dimensional block letters, to a highly-detailed space demon sculpture, to a clever wall hanger for your iPad. There are no restrictions.
We’ll show you how with tip-filled articles over the next few weeks. Meanwhile, for those who don’t have previous experience with modeling or CAD software, these free online and app-based tools can get you designing in minutes:
- Tinkercad — A web-based design application that allows you to access a variety of tools to draw shapes, then push or pull them to introduce depth. Simple to use. See our tips here.
- Shapeways Creator — Wide variety of tools for easy design creation. Includes 2D to 3D, an application that lets you take any black and white image (including text) and give it depth to create a digital object. Also, tools for making vases, figurines, and jewelry.
- Autodesk 123D Design — Entry-level iOS, Mac, PC, and browser-based tool for design, from one of the biggest companies. Includes a built-in library of pre-made shapes and objects that you can combine and modify. Our review.
- Sketchup — A slightly more advanced CAD software that is still accessible for beginners. Has a slightly longer learning curve than the other apps. See our tips here.
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Strut Your Digital Design Skills in Wired's 3-D Print-Off
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