In line with its now established strategy over recent years, 3D Systems Corp is throwing its net even further afield at the start of 2014, announcing the acquisition of Gentle Giant Studios, the leading provider of 3D modelling for the entertainment and toy industry. With obvious consumer design connotations, this canny move also brings the 3D printing giant access to decades of licensed content from some of the world’s greatest brands together with an expansion of retail merchandising capabilities.
According to 3D Systems, Gentle Giant Studios has led the development of state-of-the-art content using 3D scanning and modelling for more than two decades to develop and manufacture licensed 3D printed characters, toys and collectibles from a variety of franchise properties with global brand recognition, including Marvel, Disney, AMC’s The Walking Dead, Avatar, Harry Potter and Star Wars.
3DS plans to immediately leverage Gentle Giant Studios technology and showcase their plans at International CES this week.
This is what Cathy Lewis, 3D Systems’ Chief Marketing Officer had to say: “We are bringing to CES 2014 the most powerful set of consumer 3D printing products, tools, platforms and solutions available today for the benefit of major brands, retailers and users. The exponential performance gains we are delivering together with new categories such as edibles and ceramics, coupled with performance materials, full colour printing and new physical photography devices, positions our 3DPRINTING 2.0 at the heart of the emerging consumer opportunity.”
