Currently, around 30, 000 professional 3D printers are installed around the world, while around 10 million people actively use 3D CAD software.

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The easy-to-use Form software (compatible with any 3D CAD package), custom-formulated printing materials, and Form Finish post-processing kit complement the beautifully simple printer to make desktop 3D printing as easy as pushing a button.

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"Companies regularly utilizing large amounts of data such as 3D CAD files, X-rays, film edits, music tracks, project blueprints, training videos and service manuals all benefit from having a greater choice of storage options for iPad, " Apple said in a news release announcing the new iPad.

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This could certainly go a ways toward democratizing the creation of 3D models -- though CAD knowledge and an artistic streak are still keys if you want to make something out of thin air.

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Thankfully, printing out complicated objects doesn't require a mastery of CAD or other complex 3D modeling software.

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The engineer and tinkerer first went about designing an accurate, miniature 3D representation of his summer house in a CAD program, with the help of his wife.

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You could learn a CAD program -- or you could invest in an industrial 3D scanner.

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