Almost Real - 3D Printing Hooks Users with Prototypes that Bring Designs to Life

摘要

Printing, a term generally associated with images on flat surfaces, might soon need to be redefined to include the creation of 3D shapes. In some cases, the fabrication device, or the printer, might be only slightly bigger than a standard fax machine. In other instances, you don't even have to own a machine. You can simply upload a digital model online to a 3D printing service bureau. In a matter of days, a scale model representing your idea - be it a new residential high rise, a pocket-size cell phone charger, or a custom-configured elf warrior from the World of Warcraft Online - could be on the way to your doorstep via UPS or FedEx.