Back in September when Bre Pettis stepped aside at MakerBot in order to take on a new role which saw him head up a brand new initiative at Stratasys called Bold Machines, many of us within the industry scratched our heads and wondered what this could mean. Within weeks, however, Bold Machines launched the start of their first project, a 3D printed feature film called ‘Margo.’ From that point forward, every week or two they launched another 3D model for a character from the upcoming film. Then suddenly, as we approached the end of last year, everything went quiet. No updates on their blog, no new character announcements, it almost felt as if Bold Machines, well…wasn’t so ‘Bold’ any longer.
That’s when I stumbled upon a blog post by a Chicago-based artist named Ryan McClure. McClure designs toys, prints, and illustrations for his company Rocketboy Customs. He has used 3D printing extensively in past projects and recently revealed that over the last 6 months, he has been working quietly with Bold Machines to be a part of their 2015 program.
McClure has created a design for a character which he calls Nohwitz, a creature he describes as follows:
“Nohwitz, my Cubicle Creature, is based off of the office know-it-all that absolutely knows nothing. Although his main design incorporates a blue skin tone with fangs and hands, he is constructed, using 3D technology, so that he can assemble into a variety of different versions. Designed with snap on features, he comes with three different hand options (hands/tentacles/hooves) and three different tooth options (molars/fangs and tusks).”
Although McClure has been careful not to release too many details on what the extent of this partnership with Bold Machines may be, it is quite apparent that Nohwitz will be a 3D printable creature which incorporates a modular design. This will enable those who purchase or print the figurine to change its appearance. Perhaps Bold Machines, in cooperation with McClure, will release subsequent attachments so that those who own the figurine can print out and even customize it.
What we know at this point in time is that Nohwitz will officially debut sometime in May of this year and there will be a limited release of the creature which McClure himself will be hand painting. McClure also has stated that there will also be blanks (not painted) versions of Nohwitz released into the market as well.
Regardless of exactly what this project will encompasses, it is interesting to note that Bold Machines apparently is quietly working on at least one interesting project. Let’s hear your thoughts on the Nohwitz figurine, and what it could mean for Bold Machines moving forward. Discuss in the Bold Machines Nohwitz forum thread on 3DPB.com.
