3D printing

[evilmaul]

hi there,

something unrelated to rendering but which I am lately kind interested in. Since KS is used a lot for design and I guess to make prototypes of products, I was wondering if you guys know and can suggest any service ?!  Lately I ve been thinking a lot about how much it sucks that my sculptures stay in a computer screen or in the best case scenario can get printed out on photo paper or whatever paper. I'd be great to actually see feel one in my hands the technology  is still expensive for what I can see..but yeah any info you guys can share it would be great.

thanks,
Marco

[DriesV]

I can wholeheartedly recommend Materialise. They're HQ'd in Leuven, Belgium, but operate on a global scale.

Corporate, main website:
http://www.materialise.com/

Design-centered portal:
http://i.materialise.com/

They have quite a few materials and finishes that you can choose from. http://i.materialise.com/materials
Also their '3D print lab' upload and order module is quite neat. http://i.materialise.com/3dprintlab/instance/fab4b9a5-f78d-46cb-95fb-6686070023b5
Not very cheap when you venture into sintered metal objects.  Plastics should be pretty affordable though...

I think for your line of work, these are some great materials:
http://i.materialise.com/materials/multicolor (Yes, it lets you print UV-mapped color texture  ...)
http://i.materialise.com/materials/prime-gray
http://i.materialise.com/materials/high-detailed-stainless-steel
http://i.materialise.com/materials/paintable-resin
http://i.materialise.com/materials/high-detail-resin

Dries

[evilmaul]

sweet!! thanks a lot for the info I'd love to print out some of the busts I made..before spending more money on a full figure sculpt.

Marco

[fario]

also    http://www.shapeways.com