3D Systems launches ‘boundary breaking’ Cubify Draw
3D Systems Inc. on Wednesday launched Cubify Draw, a free, mobile app for iPhone and iPad users to create quality 3D printable content.
“Cubify Draw takes digital doodling to printable reality,” said Sarah Stocker, senior director of 3D Systems’ Cubify division. “This boundary breaking app is our latest gamified installment in our commitment to democratize content-to-print entertainment on Cubify.”
Rock Hill, S.C.-based 3D Systems is a publicly traded (NYSE: DDD) manufacturer and marketer of commercial and consumer 3D printers, printing materials and software services as well as CAD modeling, reverse engineering and inspection software tools.
Users of Apple’s mobile touch operating system (iOS) can digitally draw with their finger or trace an imported picture on their iPhone, iPad and iPad Mini devices.
Drawings can be enhanced with features such as adjustable line thickness and height, auto-fill and auto-connect.
Users can upload drawings to Cubify.com to have the content printed and shipped back them, or can get an .STL file emailed to share and print themselves.
Cubify said the app, available for free download in the iOS App Store, is ideal for creating 3D content such as “cookie cutters, pendants, ornaments, bracelets and simple toys.”
Last August, 3D Systems acquired Viztu Technologies, the developer of Hypr3D.com, where users can upload photos and video and turn them into printable models, not unlike Autodesk’s 123D Catch, and integrated the technology with its Cubify.com platform, which includes the consumer-targeted Cubify 3D printer.
Earlier this month, Staples Inc., the world’s largest office products company, became the first major U.S. retailer to sell 3D printers – allowing consumers and businesses to create objects using digital technology – by selling online 3D Systems’ The Cube 3D Printer for just $1,299.
In related news, at its annual meeting Tuesday 3D Systems’ stockholders approved a 100-million-share increase in the amount of authorized common stock to 220 million, allowing the company to issue shares and raise cash for more acquisitions, among other corporate purposes.
3D Systems bullish on 3D printer sales
Late last month, 3D Systems reported record quarterly revenue of $102.1 million, up 31 percent, on 81 percent higher printer sales.
The company reported first quarter net income dropped to $5.9 million, or 6 cents per share, but excluding one-time items, the company earned 21 cents per share meeting analysts’ expectations.
“We expect 2013 to be our most exciting and most productive new product introduction year in the history of the company,” said 3D Systems CEO Avi Reichental.
Reichental also said during a conference call with analysts to discuss first quarter financial results that sales of The Cube since its January launch are “at the top end of our expectations.”
