‘Minecraft.Print’ – Making the Virtual Real – take virtual creations, and bring them into the real world

Minecraft is a video game focused on creativity and building. Players build constructions out of textured cubes in a 3D world–everything from a hut, to a train station, to a fully functional computer.

Why can’t we take those virtual creations, and bring them into the real world? Minecraft.Print() is our attempt to do so by creating a bridge between Minecraft and the real world, via 3D printers. A Minecraft player defines a 3D space to be printed, after which the software extracts the object, structure, or other creation from the virtual space and creates 3D-printable version. Minecraft.Print() takes advantage of the basic CAD functions of the game, thus allowing 10,000,000 (and counting) players to experience 3D modeling and printing–an area previously limited to those with more specific technical backgrounds.

 

Step 1: Play it

Make Stuff! You know how to build things in Minecraft. However, if you need inspiration on what things you could build… How about the enterprise, a train station, or Reddit’s creative server? It’s really up to you. Just make it awesome, ok?

Step 3: Print it

Minecraft.Print() then outputs a standard model file for printing to either a professional 3D printer or (MakerBot or RepRap). Now that you’ve printed out your creation, it’s time to show it off. We figure you know how to do this part.

Step 2: Prep it

To avoid printing the entire world, it is necessary to specify the region you wish to process. By placing a combination of specific blocks (obsidian, diamond, gold, iron) at two points you can define the 3 dimensional area to print.
Two words of warning.

 

 

Incredible structures have been created within Minecraft. Why can’t we take those virtual creations, and bring them into the real world? This is our attempt to create a bridge between Minecraft and the real world, via 3D Printers.

http://www.minecraftprint.com/