![\"AlienFigure\"](\"http:\/\/www.stoth.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-o-matic\/cache\/38cd2_AlienFigure1.jpg\")
The objects are printed using the Shapeways’ Z printer 650 from a high performance composite (a powdery, sand-like substance) that hardens like a cement to produce full-colour objects. Shapeways then applies a new finishing technique, which both hardens the models and enhances colors. Colour 3-D printing will cost $16.22\/cubic inch, which makes it the cheapest of the materials offered by Shapeways.<\/p>\n
We last covered the company back in August 2009 when Shapeways made its single-tone printers available<\/a> to general consumers.<\/p>\n The maximum size of a printed object is 10 x 15 x 8 inches. \u201cIt’s still inconceivable to most people that you can actually print an object in 3-D,\u201d says Shapeways CEO Peter Weijmarshausen. \u201cUntil now, a Shapeways printed design existed in stainless steel or a single color plastic, black, grey or white, which could be dyed in a handful of single, solid colors. We’re excited to be able to offer our vibrant community the ability to bring their designs to life in full color.<\/p>\n Although many of the objects may not win any design awards, Shapeways is at the vanguard of a trend towards democratizing physical production in the same way that web technology has allowed millions of people to create and share digital content like videos or podcasts. Giving users without 3-D design skills the ability to manufacture their own objects could unleash a similar burst of creativity in consumers.<\/p>\n The most popular objects currently are home decor and hobby items, and new materials like silver are in the pipeline. <\/a>Another example of this trend is 100 garages<\/a>, a site that connects consumers with small-scale, local workshops equipped with digital fabrication tools that can machine, drill or sculpt almost any component they require.<\/p>\n Shapeways launched in July 2008 and has a community of 30,000 users, of which 40% are located in the US. The company is currently funded by Philips Electronics as a spin-off from its Lifestyle Incubator program.<\/a><\/p>\n [Check out our CES 2010 coverage<\/a>.]<\/em><\/p>\n![\"LightPoem\"](\"http:\/\/www.stoth.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-o-matic\/cache\/38cd2_LightPoem1.jpg\")
Shapeways is aimed both at users who are familiar with 3-D modeling tools like Solidworks,<\/a> and general consumers. The latter can buy objects generated from ready-made models<\/a> or use the Shapeways co-creation platform to customise an object<\/a> created by a designer, such as a Lightpoem candle holder (pictured).<\/p>\n