The Latest 3D Printing Kickstarter Campaigns: Volumetric Images and 3D Printable Dino Models

From new 3D printers and 3D software to the latest 3D printed customizable products, we like to keep you updated on the latest crowdfunding campaigns on the popular Kickstarter website, the largest funding platform in the world for creative projects.

For the last few years, we’ve been following the work of Italian startup Lumi Industries, which introduced a semi-professional DLP 3D printer two years ago. The startup has had Kickstarter success before, and will hopefully see it again with its latest campaign, which is for a project that is, as Lumi’s Manuela Pipino tells us, “closely related to 3D printing.”

The startup has recently been working with 3D visualization and volumetric images (what many may still think of as holograms) and developing its patent-pending VVD (Volumetric Visualization Device). According to the Kickstarter campaign for the VVD, it’s a graphic display device that forms a visual representation of an object in three physical dimensions. The device gives an unlimited amount of people the ability to get a 3D visualization of any 3D content.

3D reconstruction of human jaw from intraoral scan.

“We needed such a technology to be able to revise 3D models before going for 3D printing, but after we have created it, we envisioned many more sectors where it could be of great use like: training/educational, medical/dentistry field, museums/exhibitions, marketing & communication,” Pipino told 3DPrint.com.

The VVD projects the horizontal layers of a 3D model on a special film that is vibrating very quickly, which exploits something called the persistence of vision – a characteristic that enables people to retain an image long after it’s been removed. It’s easy to use – just load any 3D model and hit the View button to create a true tridimensional volumetric visualization of your content.

The startup took the VVD on the road to several international events, such as formnext and CES, and received lots of positive feedback on it – the device was even awarded the Maker of Merit honor at the European Maker Faire in Rome last year. So Lumi decided to launch its VVD on Kickstarter.

While holograms can only be seen from certain angles, volumetric visualizations can be explored from any viewpoint. In addition, more people can share the experience and watch at the same time, and because the VVD doesn’t require additional glasses, eye fatigue is decreased.

“With VVD you can explore the design you have just created or double check all details of the mechanical component you have just developed, like if it was already in your hand, before going for prototyping,” the campaign states. “Because when you design in 3D, you are watching your work on a bi-dimensional screen. Perspective, created through visual effects, allows us to get an idea of the volume and proportions of what we are designing, but, believe us, to watch your model as it really is, is not the same thing!”

Styracosaurus head 3D model.

The VVD has many applications in the medical field, as it offers technicians a new way to look at 3D images created from 2D slices taken from MRI and CT scans. It also keeps people more engaged in the classroom and in museums, due to its interactive nature.

There are still more than three weeks to go in Lumi’s VVD Kickstarter campaign, and the Incredible Early Bird Special is still available – for a pledge of €1,899, you can receive your own VVD by February of 2019. If this cost is a little steep, and you just want to support the startup, €30 will get you a special T-shirt.

Another intriguing Kickstarter campaign was just launched by Pinshape ambassador and 3D printing expert Joe Larson, better known as the 3D Printing Professor on his YouTube channel, where he produces educational and fun content about making, 3D printing, and technology for more than 20,000 subscribers.

Larson has a solution for 3D printer owners who struggle to find high-quality, ready to print models: his fun Low Poly Dinosaur models, which are designed to print easily at home on extrusion-based 3D printers.

“Welcome to Lowpolysaurus park. Kid friendly, whimsical, low-poly dinosaur models for your 3D printer. Designed to print without supports and print with low or no infill. Perfect as a test print or just for fun with gentle angles to minimize sharp edges so they’re suitable for all ages,” the campaign states.

“Help build the whole set and print your own dinosaur park!”

Larson’s Kickstarter, which still has about a month left, blew through its initial funding goal within its first two hours, and then went on to raise twice that goal amount in its first day on Kickstarter.

There are currently four 3D dino models in the set, including Dippy and Trixy, with four additional ones planned thanks to the campaign’s stretch goals and its overwhelming support.

According to Larson’s Kickstarter, “The success of this campaign will determine how many dinosaurs will be modeled. The more it raises, the larger the rewards will be. For your support you will not only receive the 3D dinosaur models developed in this campaign, but you will have a vote in what the next dinosaur will be as the campaign progresses.”

For those pledging to the Triassic tier, you will receive a limited set of 3D dino models and accessories, as voted on by the community. Those pledging to the Jurassic tier will get every dinosaur and accessory model created for the campaign.

The funds raised during the campaign will actually go toward improving the video production quality for Larson’s YouTube channel.

Discuss crowdfunding campaigns and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com or share your thoughts below.