Jan 8, 2007, 16:15
Saw this very groovy (ha ha, pun intended 
) "Computer-Controlled Compact Woodworking Machine" via BoingBoing. It's a off the shelf piece of equipment that can carve 3D designs out of wood, plastics and other materials -- and the cool thing about it is that it can even make 3D carvings based on photos!
Link
At $1800, the price is pretty steep, but it sounds way cool indeed. Perhaps in the not too distant future, we can walk into our photo stores and order 3D carvings alongside our normal photo prints...
Do read the user reviews too - this one is pretty interesting:
) "Computer-Controlled Compact Woodworking Machine" via BoingBoing. It's a off the shelf piece of equipment that can carve 3D designs out of wood, plastics and other materials -- and the cool thing about it is that it can even make 3D carvings based on photos!Link
At $1800, the price is pretty steep, but it sounds way cool indeed. Perhaps in the not too distant future, we can walk into our photo stores and order 3D carvings alongside our normal photo prints...
Do read the user reviews too - this one is pretty interesting:
Quote:"In the short time I have owned this machine I am very happy with it. Designing elaborate carvings from the templates is very easy. I like the way software will carve from imported jpg files where the depth of relief at any point is determined by the image density. This makes it possible to design carvings freehand in Photoshop with the airbrush tool. The machine is tremendous fun and performs just as advertised. I didn't fill out a ratings for durability and reliability only because i just got it."
you could carve out shapes and stuff... so cool.