While 3D printing can seem daunting to those without significant CAD experience, or limited in augmenting existing objects, new research out of Carnegie Mellon University is demonstrating that neither of these is necessarily the case. Through a new WebGL-based tool called Encore, the researchers have demonstrated three different techniques to easily augment existing objects. The Print-Over, Print-to-Affix, and Print-Through methods offer the capability to, for example, print an attachment (e.g., a handle) on or through a part of a print or other object, such as a tag that will be printed to be attached to scissors or a charm on a bracelet, turning a figure into a keychain, or adding a handle to a cup. Read the full article for details on the Encore processes: http://3dprint.com/87595/encore-3d-print-augment/


Below is an image from the researchers' findings: