Makerbot is holding the grand opening of its first retail store today, and it has partnered with ShapeShot to provide a novel 3D photo booth. The system uses digital cameras to capture your mug from a variety of positions, then analyzes those shots to create a three-dimensional digital model. Visitors can subsequently have 3D prints made at the store, including a bust of their very own face.
"This is beyond digital photography – it is the future – and to be able to create a 3D image of yourself is just amazing," said Bre Pettis, CEO and co-founder of MakerBot Industries. "We've had celebrities and musicians come in and get a 3D Portrait made. It's fun, it's inexpensive, and it's totally cool."
The scanning process only takes a few minutes and costs just five dollars. You can take home the scan data, which can be enjoyed in ShapeShot's 3D Face Viewer, but you'll have to shell out more if you want an actual print made – costs vary according to the size of the print.
Makerbot's printers use ABS plastic, which prints in one or two colors, and the ShapeShot system only scans the front of your head, so it won't have the ultra fine detail of this other 3D printing photo booth. That said, it is most likely cheaper – and shoppers will be able to purchase their very own Makerbot Replicator 2 on site.