Shapeways: from digital to tangible

    

Have you ever been frustrated or just felt that your work really didn't mean that much because the only way you could see it was on a computer screen? Here's your solution. 

I just recently heard about this website called Shapeways that will take your 3D model and turn it into a real object! They have lots of materials, from cheap plastics to sterling silver! Maybe a gift for your girlfriend :)

    Anyway, they support Blender! Yay!!! So, basically what you do it create your 3D model (keeping the poly count under 500,000 and making sure it is manifold and other requirements). Then you export the model to one of the supported formats which are available in Blender. Then, Shapeways will check to make sure your model meets all the requirements, you pick the material and they make the 3D print for you. Upload steps here.

    They have very graciously written a tutorial especially for us Blender users on how to get your model ready for them.Read it here.

    This looks very cool and I will be sure to try it out sometime. Well, I hope this tip was helpful to some of you. If you decide to use it, I'd be happy to know how it works :)