3D printing can help make some of the hundreds of tiny pieces that go into making a film like this, saving hours of work time and making the pieces more uniform in shape. It can also be used to help with stop-motion animated films. There were even some 3D printed items in Iron Man 2, helping make up some of Tony Stark’s iconic suit. It can help quickly create props for films when CGI can’t work, replacing hours of tedious work that must be done by hand. When 3D printing is mixed with film, amazing things can happen.

All of these uses provide a wealth of opportunities that allow for personalization of these instruments that you can’t find anywhere else. Other musicians have printed guitars (electric and acoustic), flutes, violins, whistles, and mouthpieces for various instruments. A college in Sweden boasts its own band that uses only 3D instruments (and they sound pretty good too). Musicians have started using 3D printers to create beautifully designed instruments that sound perfect. This gives the finished piece texture identical to that of the original-something you can’t get in poster reproductions.

It’s also possible to take scans of actual paintings and use a 3D printer to recreate them. One couple in London made a 3D version of Van Gough’s sunflowers while the Smithsonian just debuted a 3D printed bust of President Obama. One option is to make sculptured versions of famous pieces of art. Sculptures are one obvious way that 3D printing can be used to make art. 3D printing enthusiasts and artists are looking for ways to combine these two passions into one beautiful past time. Although often overlooked in a world of technology, art can play an important part in our lives.

3d printed paintings