MakerBot Developer Program Announced For Creation of Makerbot-Ready Apps

June 19, 2014 by Brian Krassenstein 3D Printing 3D Software Business

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In the extremely competitive market of consumer based 3D printers, it takes a lot to set one company apart from the rest. Just like in every other industry, you either innovate, or suffer a slow, painful death of your company. Stratasys’ MakerBot seems to understand this, and has been working hard to not only set themselves apart from the fierce competition out there, but also to construct a moat around their growing 3D printer ecosystem.

Today Makerbot announced yet another step in their plan to dominate the cosumer 3D printer space, the Makerbot Developer Program. The program was created in order to encourage developers of mobile, desktop, and console-based applications and games to take their software creations to the next level, by offering integration with 3D printing. As a part of the program, developers will gain access to important APIs and tools which will allow them to bring 3D printing options into their applications, whether on iOS, Android, or another operating system.

“We have been approached by developers for a long time who have tremendous ideas that they want to bring to life with 3D printing capabilities,” noted Bre Pettis, CEO of MakerBot. “The MakerBot Developer Program finally enables developers to create apps that are designed to work seamlessly with our MakerBot Replicator Desktop 3D Printers and live within the MakerBot 3D Ecosystem certified as MakerBot-Ready Apps. It will be very exciting to see what develops.”

Developers who choose to join the program will gain free access to everything they need in order to integrate the Makerbot framework into their applications. In addition, they will get special discounted rates on Makerbot Replicator printers, and developer support. Once an application is completed, it will receive extra publicity by being listed on the MakerBot desktop application as a MakerBot-Ready App, as well as a listing on MakerBot.com.

The very first company to partner with MakerBot as a MakerBot-Ready App, is Modio. Modio is a mobile application which allows users to design their own posable creatures and characters, and then have those designs 3D printed.

“Being the official launch partner of the MakerBot Developer Program is really exciting,” said Hilmar Gunnarsson, founder and CEO of Modio. “We introduced Modio to the maker community at the Bay Area Maker Faire last month and the response has been simply amazing. Now, to be able to come out and showcase the app’s intuitive 3D printing workflow and seamless integration with MakerBot is even more exciting and demonstrates our commitment to help make 3D printing as easy as possible.”

For further details on how to join the MakerBot Developer Program, you may visit the developers section of their website. Are you considering joining this new program? Let us know what you think in the MakerBot Developers Program forum thread at 3DPB.com.