Artficial Launches Innovative New Platform for Replicating the ‘DNA’ of Art via 3D Printing

We have seen 3D printing go to use in replicating many of history’s great art works. While today’s technology now allows for the 3D scanning of sculptures and statues, it is still limited by the 3D printers that we are capable of having on our desktops. One company, called Artficial, looks to make the process of precisely replicating, duplicating, and modifying some of the world’s most well-known works of art a reality.

In doing so, today they have launched their official website, which they refer to as an online platform for 3D printed “Art DNA” replicas.

“The best art from our past could be the force driving and inspiring our future, leaving the caveaux of museum and private collections to enter our every day lives, through the power of 3D printing technologies,” the company tells 3DPrint.com. “Through collaborations with philanthropists, art collectors and museums, the Artficial team has built a database containing several perfectly reproduced 3D models of priceless works of art, from different historical periods and cultural locations.”

These works of art include pieces from the Classical Greek periods, through the Renaissance period, and include artifacts from Islamic, Asian, African, and Hebrew cultures. These art pieces have been 3D scanned and then further modified using 3D modeling software in order to create perfect virtual replicas of these historic pieces. Artficial refers to this as “Art DNA.”

Anyone visiting the Artficial website is presented with several options to choose from. They have the option of streaming these replicas directly to their desktop 3D printers, using the Authentise-powered system for free and secure circulation of the 3D printable files. This option is compatible with virtually all FFF-based 3D printers.

When it comes to 3D printing these models, users are not just limited to using their own desktop machines. They have the option of having the objects printed out using advanced technology. Currently there are two other options available; selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printing in a nylon material and stereolithographic (SLA) 3D printing using a cured transparent resin. Users can choose from a long list of colors for their prints, and even totally customize the sculptures/statues to their own liking.

“The sculptures from the museums and private collections can be reproduced to fit individual taste, desires and styles through Artficial’s exclusive online configurator,” Artficial tells us. “Users can select the artwork of choice and visualize in a stylish setting; selecting different sizes and materials to obtain real time information on the replica’s final cost.”

This isn’t all though. Artficial has plans to also introduce direct metal 3D printing to their list of options when it comes to ordering an “Art DNA” replica. Also they will add in the option of having replicas cast in various metals. In addition, they plan to make this technology available at several famous museums throughout the world.

“Visitors to museums will be able to pick up exact miniature replicas of the artworks present in each site,” we are told. “Through the Artficial platform they will also be able to create a customized replica of the artworks and have it delivered to their homes.”

This is by far the most innovative use of 3D technology we have seen yet within the realm of historic art work. We have seen museums make 3D models of their works available to the public in the past, but what Artficial is aiming to do brings actual tangible replicas or modifications of historic pieces into the hands of virtually anyone who wants one. This is a terrific initiative, and it should be interesting to see not only the impact that this has on art education but on creativity as well. Artists can now take historic works and add their own elements to these tremendous pieces. It will be interesting to see what people come up with.

What do you think about this innovative new “Art DNA” process unveiled today by Artficial? Will this add a new element to the 3D printing space? Discuss and share your creations in the Artficial forum thread on 3DPB.com.