3D Print Your Head On Your Favorite ‘The Walking Dead’ Zombie At Comic-Con 2014

One of the ways in which 3D printing will be forced into the mainstream, is via the integration of the technology with mainstream content providers. We have been seeing several companies begin to make available their popular designs for large scale, wide spread 3D printing. An example of this would be the recent announcement between Hasbro and Shapeways earlier this week. As this continues to occur, the concept of 3D printing, as well as 3D scanning, should enter the minds of a wider audience, and eventually result in wider spread acceptance of the technology within every day life.

One such media integration, which 3D systems announced this week, will be on display at Comic-Con 2014 in San Diego this weekend, at Booth 3513. At the convention 3D Systems will be showing off technology and licensing deals which were obtained in January of this year, after acquiring a company called Gentle Giant Ltd. Gentle Giant had been a long standing provider of 3D modeling for the entertainment and toy industry. They made a name for themselves in their ability to offer content based around 3D technology, and brands which included Marvel, Disney, Harry Potter, Star Trek and more.

The booth will feature several interactive ways in which those in attendance can experience first hand, the capabilities of 3D Systems’ scanning and printing technology. For instance, there will be a 3DMe(R) kiosk which will scan attendee’s heads. Those participating will then have the option to place their scanned head into the body of their favorite Star Trek crewmember or zombie from AMC’s The Walking Dead, and purchase a 3D printed action figure of themselves at the booth.

In addition, there will be the opportunity to purchase limited edition Alien, Star Wars, and Marvel figurines from 3D Systems’ Gentle Giant Ltd brand, in which each figure has been 3D scanned or digitally sculpted by artists, specifically to cater to what collectors are looking for, an authentic detailed piece.

By leveraging the brand recognition and pop culture influence of shows like The Walking Dead, 3D Systems should be able to garner an even bigger interest at their booth.  This booth will also feature their latest third generation Cube 3D Printer, their CubePro series of professional devices, and their iSense 3D scanners.

Let us know if you decide to pay a visit to booth 3513 at this year’s Comic-Con, and feel free to post pictures of the 3D printed action figures you make, if you do decide to take part in the action. Discuss in the 3D printed Walking Dead forum thread on 3DPB.com.

[Image Credit: AMC’s The Walking Dead]