Today, 3D Systems announced the immediate availability of its 3DMe and Sense applications on consumer PCs equipped with the new Intel RealSense 3D Camera. I saw some of what the RealSense could do at REAL 2015, and it’s pretty astounding. The camera sees in 3D, providing every PC equipped with it the ability to scan 3D objects and, with the 3DMe and Sense applications, doing so will be very easy. This will bring more people to 3D technology, and I can see how people will be excited to share their creations on social media and 3D print endless selfies.
With 3DMe, users have the ability to 3D scan their faces and then chooses and create a customized figurine using a number of licensed models, including figures from Ghostbusters, Star Trek, and the NBA. They can, then, share their creations on social media, and, if they don’t have a 3D printer to 3D print their model at home, they can order them through 3DMe. You can watch the app in action below:
The Sense 3D scanning app from 3D Systems uses the Intel RealSense 3D Camera to reduce the difficulty of generating 3D printable scans. It’s pretty fast too, within 15 seconds you can have a 3D model ready to print. The app is fully integrated with the Cubify print app for Android and iOS, as well. And, because the Sense app uploads scans directly to cubify.com, users are able to 3D print them at home or through the cloud.
“This game-changing combination of Intel’s hardware and 3DS’ software puts easy-to-use integrated 3D scanning and editing capabilities in the hands of everyday computer users for the first time,” said Avi Reichental, President and CEO of 3D Systems. “These fun and intuitive apps democratize blended reality and physical photography for everyone, making the creation of personalized avatars, action figures and poseable selfies accessible for everyone.”
You can find the 3DMe app on the Acer V 17 Nitro notebook series and the Dell Inspiron 15 5000 series and 23 7000 series. The Sense and 3DMe apps will run on a wide range of PCs featuring the Intel RealSense 3D Camera from Lenovo, HP, Asus, Fujitsu and NEC. Check out the full list here.
Jerry Kao, President of Acer Notebook Business Group, thinks that many different types of users will be attracted to the new technology, saying, “Acer believes three-dimensional computing offers unlimited potential for both professional and consumer uses. 3DMe is one of several applications that take 3D technology to a new level, with more to come.”
Intel will soon be showing off the technology at selected Best Buys and Microsoft stores, with 3DS there to show off their Cube 3, as well as their Surface Pro 3-enabled Cubify app. According to Mooly Eden, Senior Vice President at Intel and General Manager of the Perceptual Computing Group: “With Intel RealSense technology consumers can control and interact with their computers in a natural, intuitive and immersive way. At Intel, we believe 3D scanning and printing is going to be a game changer for consumers, educators and makers. We are thrilled to be working with 3D Systems to jointly apply our integrated 3D camera technology to enable the creation of 3D personalized animation and printed collectibles and selfies everywhere.”
The partnership is an interesting one, but what’s really worth noting here is that sensing technology is just now becoming a standard feature, like the digital camera before it. Computer technology has left a wake of now obscure standard components, with new tools, like the RealSense camera taking their place so that computing, too, will change into something completely different.
