AppleInsider Staff
Online auction and shopping giant eBay on Friday debuted Exact, an app dedicated to selling customizable 3D printed objects, like iPhone cases, jewelry, and other small items, directly from a user's handset.
To make Exact a reality, eBay partnered with three major 3D printing studios, Sculpteo, MakerBot, and Hot Pop Factory, and is offering a limited assortment of small-scale products.
With the 3D printing process, sellers are able to offer custom plastic trinkets at relatively low costs. For some products, like Sculpteo's iPhone 5 case seen above, the app features a built-in customization UI, affording customers create unique, one-of-a-kind object designs that are then fulfilled by eBay's sellers.
From the release notes:
- Bring your style to life. Choose from a variety of materials, including plastics, wood and metals. Use the engraving feature to further customize your product.
- Be the first to use new technology to create one-of-a-kind iPhone cases, jewelry, and figurines based on self-portraits.
- Build your collection. Whether you love jewelry or figurines, eBay Exact allows you to create as many unique products, exactly as you like, based on your personal desires and preferences.
Currently, the number of items up for sale is quite sparse, and includes 18 cases, rings, necklaces, and figurines. More products may be added at a future date, though no information was given regarding the app's future plans.
eBay Exact is a 6.4MB free download from the App Store.
Andrew Orr
Marko Zivkovic
Christine McKee
Malcolm Owen
Amber Neely
21 Comments
Apple needs an iPrinter and 3D app store (when the time is right). Was only talking about this yesterday.
I'd prefer if Apple started buying up all the IP to make this possible and license it to manufacturers instead. They don't need to be making more product that is outside their "wheelhouse".
The problem here is that almost any mesh you want to think of is not only not copyrightable in the first place, it's typically stolen from the original creator. Add on to that, the fact that pretty much any mesh can be copied (which is how most of them originate), and the idea that you should actually pay money for it goes out the window. This is the equivalent of selling sewing patterns which are similarly not copyrightable, originate from copying, and command the lowest prices of almost any saleable item on eBay. Anyone who pays for a mesh on eBay is an idiot.
This is a good path for custom products geared towards the consumer. The problem is simply the available items. It would be even better if the app allowed customers the ability to send in their own designs. Granted, there would be limitations on size and complexity, but the need is there. Everyone wants to have something uniquely their own and 3D printing just might fit the bill with the right promotion.
[quote name="Gazoobee" url="/t/158470/ebay-debuts-store-for-3d-printed-objects-with-exact-ios-app#post_2361231"]The problem here is that almost any mesh you want to think of is not only not copyrightable in the first place, it's typically stolen from the original creator. Add on to that, the fact that pretty much any mesh can be copied (which is how most of them originate), and the idea that you should actually pay money for it goes out the window. This is the equivalent of selling sewing patterns which are similarly not copyrightable, originate from copying, and command the lowest prices of almost any saleable item on eBay. Anyone who pays for a mesh on eBay is an idiot. [/quote] Mesh?