CGTrader’s 3D Printing Christmas Challenge Lets Elves Everywhere Get 3D-Creative

Online shopping has taken some of the pain out of Christmas shopping and gift-giving. Why bundle up, shovel the car out, and trudge around from shop to shop or through the local mall on your annual holiday shopping quest when you can simply get online and quickly tick off gifts from your Santa list? Better still, why pay someone else to make gifts for the people on your Christmas list when you can either do it yourself or find a hot new 3D designer to design them for you?

This submission by CGTrader 3D designer and contest participant, “ocminimoto” or “Michael” from Vancouver, Canada is titled “A Partridge in a Pear.” It’s a great Christmas tree ornament design and is available for purchase for $8.99 on CGTrader’s site.

Most everyone agrees that handmade gifts are usually the best holiday gifts. Better yet, you know someone has been thinking of you when they custom-design and 3D print your holiday gift and CGTrader is making it easy for you and your Secret Santa to make and give unique gifts this year with their 3D Printing Christmas Challenge.

CGTrader is an online marketplace for all things 3D–3D printing, computer graphics, and virtual reality. “3D artists, design studios and businesses share and sell their models,” says the company’s website. CGTrader makes it possible for inspired and talented 3D designers to display their work and for businesses, including sources of funding, to find it. The company was founded in 2011 by Marius Kalytis, a 3D designer based in Vilnius, Lithuania.

What does it take to win CGTrader’s Christmas 3D modeling contest? Your 3D model should be unique and innovative; it should be of high quality. When you submit it, your presentation should be, says the contest site, “clear and attractive.” Also, note that, not only can you submit a 3D model, you can submit an entire portfolio–a variation on the Christmas stocking theme, your 3D modeling portfolio filled with Christmas 3D joy! More than 10 models entered equals a portfolio, so this is definitely an achievable goal for all of those budding 3D designing Christmas Elves out there.

“Large Bell Pendant,” by CGTrader contributer “davethevash.”

The contest site provides loads of information about how to participate, including a thorough FAQ page that you’re encouraged to read carefully before taking the plunge. The 3D Printing Christmas Challenge was launched by CGTrader on November 17 and it runs until December 20, 2015. There’s no entry fee and you can live anywhere in the world and still participate in the contest.

As if sharing a little (or a lot) of 3D Christmas joy weren’t enough of a reward for participating in CGTrader’s Christmas Challenge, there are prizes! CGTrader staff will be judging the 3D models submitted to the 2015 Best 3D Printing Christmas Challenge. Winners will receive gifts from 3Doodler, the 3D printing pen, UK-based online printing service and community, 3DPRINTUK, filament maker, Marwiol, and, of course, CGTrader. Gifts include a 3Doodler 2.0 Pen, shopping vouchers from 3DPRINTUK, filament from Marwiol, and great deals and gifts from CGTrader. Oh, and there’s exposure! Submissions to the Christmas Challenge are posted on CGTrader’s site, so people will see your work! See CGTrader’s 3D Printing Christmas Challenge contest page on their website for details, include rules and submission guidelines.

Will you be entering this contest?  Let us know in the 3D Printing Christmas Challenge forum thread on 3DPB.com.