Cubify Squares-off Against Competition with Kid- and Community-Friendly Atmosphere

Express yourself in 3D

Cubify may be a relative newcomer to the 3D printing service scene, but it’s got a wealth of knowledge and experience behind it. It’s the newest offering from 3D Systems, perhaps the biggest name in 3D printing, and—as you might expect—is easily navigable and marketing savvy beneath a fun exterior. In 3D Systems’ own words, "Cubify.com combines coloring book simplicity with cloud gaming fun to deliver a fun create-and-make experience in 3D."

The website is family-oriented and highlights 3D printing activities in which parents can engage with their children. As with most 3D printing services, Cubify maintains a marketplace where designers can sign up to become “Cubify Artists” and sell their 3D models, but where 3D Systems differs is that they’ve emphasized the inclusion of independent app developers into the Cubify community. Cubify Developers can extend the website’s platform with apps for PC, laptops and connected devices. There is even compatibility with Kinect devices for the Xbox 360. Cubify.com features tutorials and customized wizards to 3D print gewgaws like plastic crowns, spaceships and even little swords for Lego people.

Customers can browse and purchase designs or upload and sell their own. Models can be downloaded to print at home, or they can be ordered through the cubify.com Cloud print service. Should you go the latter route, Cubify will print-to-order in true color, hard white or glossy white plastics. The website also markets the hotly anticipated Cube 3D printer for the consumer market.

A Brief History of Cubify

3D Systems unveiled the Cubify beta at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on January 10, 2012. In April, Cubify embarked on its Cube Odyssey, taking a gaudily painted Cube-Mobile on a promotional roadtrip across the United States.

Why Should You Go With Cubify?

So-named Cubify Artists will receive a whopping 60 percent royalty on sales, and that’s the best in the business. With that kind of payout, Cubify is sure to attract a bevy of 3D modelers and thus keep its library of designs and creations fresh and full. Additionally, Cubify strives to make its software platform open and accessible to third party developers with its CubifyWS web service. To that end, the team is also working up an SDK. Further, Cubify has access to Freedom of Creation, 3D System’s research and design division, plus it’s busy working up creative and strategic partnerships with such companies as My Robot Nation. Most compelling is that it’s got over 25 years of 3D printing knowhow behind it. Are you ready for Cubify? Or maybe you just want to learn more about it. Either way, it’s worth your while to check them out at cubify.com.

What Else Is Out There?

Cubify is only one of a growing number of 3D printer services that cater to clienteles ranging from engineers and inventors to designers and artists, and even to hobbyists and enthusiasts. For more information on the web’s top 3D-printer services, please check out our 3d-printing comparison