Microsoft launches free 3D printing app for consumers
3D Builder hit the Windows Store in Australia and the US last week and will be progressively rolled out to other countries.
The company said it wanted to make it easy for consumers to experience 3D printing at home with one touch.
Microsoft already sells 3D printers from Makerbot through its retail stores in the US and Canada. Until now, hobbyists and 3D printing enthusiasts had to use open source software and or professional computer-aided design (CAD) systems to print models and prototypes, but Windows machines did not automatically recognise the printers they output to.
Now, the app will download drivers of three known consumer printer models including 3D Cube, Makerbot and Tiertime - to Windows 8.1 devices. It will work on Surface Pro 2 tablets, laptops and notebooks but not on Surface RT as it does not allow driver installations.
Similar to clip art, the app will have stock standard designs - from toys to household ideas like napkin rings - and will allow others to be uploaded.
A three-decade-old technology, 3D printing is only now entering the consumer market. The first home 3D printers are on sale online for about $1000-$2500 and are expected to hit big retail stores by year's end around $1500.
The writer travelled to the Microsoft campus as a guest of the company.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
Microsoft has launched a free 3D printing app called 3D Builder for Windows 8.1 devices, aiming to make 3D printing accessible to consumers.
The 3D Builder app simplifies 3D printing by allowing users to experience it at home with just one touch, and it automatically downloads drivers for popular consumer printer models.
The 3D Builder app works on Windows 8.1 devices, including Surface Pro 2 tablets, laptops, and notebooks, but not on Surface RT as it doesn't support driver installations.
Similar to clip art, the 3D Builder app offers stock standard designs ranging from toys to household items like napkin rings, and users can also upload their own designs.
Home 3D printers are currently available online for about $1000 to $2500, with expectations to be sold in big retail stores for around $1500 by the end of the year.
The 3D Builder app is significant because it marks the entry of 3D printing into the consumer market, making it more accessible and user-friendly for everyday users.
The 3D Builder app supports 3D printers from Makerbot, 3D Cube, and Tiertime by automatically downloading the necessary drivers for these models.
Although 3D printing technology has been around for three decades, it is only now becoming available to consumers, with Microsoft facilitating this transition through its 3D Builder app.
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