Microsoft & CGTrader Team Up For 3D Builder Test Model Challenge

CGTrader.com, a 3D content marketplace, is teaming up with Microsoft for a 3D modeling contest open to the 180,000 member CGT designer community which offers a Microsoft Surface Pro 3 and a chance see their winning entry featured within the 3D Builder app.

Microsoft has now preloaded the 3D Builder printing app as part of Windows 10, and they asked CGTrader.com to find a 3D model specifically designed for testing and benchmarking 3D printers. The model will be used to check results for accuracy and deviations within the app.

And a win would be a very, very big deal in terms of exposure to for the winning designer.

“We believe it’s a strong signal for the whole 3D printing movement,” says Dalia Lasaite, the CEO of CGTrader.com. “Our community members get an exclusive opportunity to have their work seen by millions of Windows 10 users.”

The entries will be judged by members of the CGTrader staff and Emmett Lalish, a Senior Mechanical Engineer at Microsoft with a wide experience in 3D Printing.

Be aware that the contest does have some strict technical requirements as the winning model will be meant to make certain that app users have smooth 3D printing for their creations.

Microsoft say 3D Builder allows users to create, print, and scan in 3D via integration with the Microsoft Kinect v2, and the latest updates to the app enable printing in more than a single material on supported printers such as the 3D Systems Cube 3. You can see a complete list of supported printers on the 3D Builder site.

Microsoft says 3D Builder makes it a simple process to load 3D files from the web, view those files and then modify them. The app allows users to take advantage of features like embossing objects with text and images, trimming them and combining them. The 3D Builder also integrates directly with the 3D Systems Cubify service to allow users to send, print and pay for files to be built and delivered to their door.

Microsoft say 3D Builder can scan in 3D color using a Kinect, load 3MF, STL, OBJ, PLY, and VRML and save as 3MF, PLY, or STL files, and then clean up the models by smoothing and simplifying them. It’s also capable of automatically repairing models to make them airtight, sending them for print directly to supported 3D printers and it can merge, intersect, or subtract objects from each other and slice them into multiple pieces.

To win it all, the model will need to be “visually appealing and attractive,” but the most important element in taking home the laurels will be strict adherence to the technical features mentioned in the ‘judging’ section. Fail to meet those requirements, and your model will have no chance to be selected.

The 1^st place winner will receive a Microsoft Surface Pro 3 with an approximate value of $799, have their winning model preloaded with 3D Builder app on Windows 10, recieve five free sales via CGTrader and a host of promotional features on the CGTrader site.

The 1^st runner-up takes home a Band Health and Fitness Tracker by Microsoft valued at $199, three free sales via CGTrader and promotional features on the CGTrader site.

The 2^nd runner-up will receive a year of Office 365 Home by Microsoft , two free sales via CGTrader and the promotional features on the CGTrader site.

The 3D modeling challenge only runs through June 1, 2015, so you need to move fast, and you can place your entry by visiting their site here…