Cut Copy - "We Are Explorers"

Cut Copy's newest music video follows two miniature explorers on a quest to gather up spare junk to build a vessel back home, Small Soldiers-style. What's even more impressive than the kicking tunes and the hypnotic strobe effects is that "We Are Explorers" manages to combine stop-motion animation and 3D printing to achieve its final version; Each individual frame features a different set of printed figure. Now that's dedication and foresight!

MX3D - The Multi Axis 3D Printer

Created by the Joris Laarman Lab and the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC), the MX3D is a showcase of a machine capable of conjuring organic metal shapes and irregular patterns. This seems like a breakthrough, as most existing 3D printers work on a more platform based, layered approach. The robotic arm extrudes a quick curing resin and will be able to print 3D objects out of thin air in steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper and bronze. While it's still rudimentary in some regards, this type of 3D printing sets the stage for much faster complex 3D object manufacturing.

Disarming Corruptor - Cryptography For Copyrighted 3D Model Printing

Very interesting tool by M-Plummer Fernandez that also scares me for some reason for what it represents. While 3D printing has been burgeoning with the technology becoming cheaper and more accessible, people have already begun to explore the grayer area of this technology, including copyrighted designs. Corruptor allows people to encrypt these models by 'obliterating' them, a 3D term for damaging a model beyond recognition so they can be passed on without people knowing it's true nature.

Now the scariest part of this type of encryption is that it could definitely be used by the type of people who have taken to printing their own unregulated firearms (Schemas are already floating around) and weaponry, which could single-handedly ruin this entire medium for many if it's used for destructive purposes. I'm all for 3D printing, but not like this.

In a time of prolific online espionage, crackdowns on file-sharing, and a growing concern for the 3D printing of illegal items and copyright protected artefacts, DC is a free software application that helps people to circumvent these issues. Inspired by encryption rotor machines such as the infamous Enigma Machine, the application runs an algorithm that is used to both corrupt STL files into a visually-illegible state by glitching and rotating the 3D mesh, and to allow a recipient to reverse the effect to restore it back to its original form. The file recipient would need both the application and the unique seven digit settings used by the sender, entering the incorrect settings would only damage the file further.

Digital Grotesque - Impossible Architecture

It was bound to happen. 3D printing, architects and programming have finally collided to create some truly incredible computer generated forms. All the shapes you see were created using custom written algorithms by Michael Hansmeyer and Benjamin Dillenburger before being printed, and it really shows off the possibilities of what will be able to be accomplished on a grand scale when the 3D printing medium advances. All new shape combinations, patterns and visual languages with a complexity and richness that could never be built by hand in such a time frame.

Digital Grotesque is the first fully immersive, solid, human-scale, enclosed structure that is entirely 3D printed out of sand. This structure, measuring 16 square meters, is materialized with details at the threshold of human perception. Every aspect of this architecture is composed by custom-designed algorithms.

3D Printed Final Fantasy VII Characters Are A Beautiful Thing

(via)

3D-printing has already begun to revolutionize production with how easily/inexpensive parts can be made, but let's be honest here if there's anything I'm most excited for it's the custom figure market. Animator and part-time 3D sculptor, Joaquin Baldwin has provided the world a great service with these Final Fantasy VII figures, giving us a chance to experience each character in-person with all their blocky-beauty. It's truly an awesome way to celebrate the awesomeness that was Final Fantasy VII in a way I haven't seen before.

Printed to mimic the in-game avatars, if there was ever a set to complete this would be it. Each figure will run you around $13-$32 (so a pretty penny if you wanna collect them all) but it appears that Baldwin is currently sold out. While we sit here and wait for a restock, you can hit the jump for a close up on some of the figures, I really want me some of that Cait Sith action.

Spectacular Failures In 3D Printing

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A new Flickr group has popped up dedicated to the as of yet still finicky art of 3D printing, a technology that is still in it's infancy as a consumer friendly product. I recently got a chance to watch a friend go through the multi week testing and set up time for doing some Team Fortress 2 busts, and was kind of surprised at the amount of trial and error he had to go through, especially on the larger scale ones that would take anywhere from 24-48 hours to complete. Let's just say that a lot of spools went to waste in the process.

For any of you fine folks interested in glitch art or looking to get into the wild west period of 3D printing, I'd really like to recommend subscribing to the collective Art Of 3D Printing Failures, as both a cautionary tale of how badly things can go wrong and a learning tool with the community. Check out a few more images from the pool after the break. I'd reckon that this group will pick up steam significantly over the next few years as the practice becomes ever more commonplace.

Why Not Hand Over A Shelter To Hermit Crabs?

One of the coolest uses of 3d printing I've seen so far, artist Aki Inomata was inspired by her pet hermit crab to embark on a journey to take advantage of the crustaceans built in competitive side to claim ever larger shells. The minimalist video (Including having no audio) chronicles the creation of a 'Kingdom Shell,' in 3D to placing the finished, translucent product in the crabs tank, and the inevitable take over.

Considering all the previous applications we've seen for 3D printing technology, this idea was truly born from Inomata's whimsical love for her unlikely pet, and her need to indulge it's primal instincts. Now we need a proper sequel to Shadow Of The Colossus to see this moving city in action.