3D model file sharing hub My Mini Factory is looking for passionate travellers to travel the world and scan famous landmarks and pieces of artwork to be turned into downloadable 3D models. There is no limit to where you can choose to go, you simply need to submit sample photographs and a description of the adventure that you’d like to take and My Mini Factory may just pick up the tab for you.
My Mini Factory is one of the more interesting 3D model marketplaces online because they don’t really charge for the digital files that you download, they only charge if you have it 3D printed and shipped to you. However they do have an extremely large database of files that are all essentially free for download – digital files cost 1 credit, which can be earned pretty easily by participating in their community — and they test out models before they add them to the store.
A few months ago they launched the Scan the World project where users were asked to submit pictures of local landmarks and sculptures so they could be turned into 3D models and uploaded to the store for anyone to download. My Mini Factory is trying to create the worlds largest free, fully 3D printable library of sculpture, landmarks and artwork from all over the planet. They’ve already built up a large collection of 3D printable artwork but now they’re upping the ante and offering to send one lucky winner on a trip of a lifetime for free, and all they have to do is agree to photograph artwork and landmarks along your journey.
All you need to do to enter is read the My Mini Factory How to Scan the World tutorial, which details the ideal conditions for capturing enough detailed pictures to create an accurate 3D model. Select a local sculpture of your choice and take between 40 to 50 pictures around the sculpture, capturing as much detail as possible. Submit your photographs along with a 200 word essay about where you want to travel and what artwork you would like to capture; the submission has to be in by October 31st.
If you win they will give you the money for your trip and all you need to do is document your journey with photographs of the artwork that you want to see. Once you send the pictures back, My Mini Factory will convert them into 3D objects and start 3D printing.
You can find out all of the finer details on their Travel Competition page here. Good luck!
