Adobe Brings 3D Printing Capabilities to Photoshop CC

In a new update to Photoshop CC, Adobe adds the ability to “finish and refine” 3D objects, and then print them out. Given the increasing popularity of 3D printing, this move was to be expected, but the initial implementation is more impressive than I anticipated.

Once a 3D model is loaded into Photoshop, users can make use of the tools they’re already familiar with to finish, color and texture the model. Then, the model can be printed out directly, after selecting the appropriate material. If the object can’t be printed without some sort of support, Photoshop will automatically detect that and build a scaffold to prevent it from collapsing during the print.

For those who don’t own a 3D printer, the option is given to simply send the project over to Shapeways.com, which will then create the model as per your specifications and then mail it out. Per Adobe:

Photoshop CC revolutionizes 3D printing by radically simplifying the 3D print process for creatives. With this new release, it is no longer difficult to create and print a beautiful, physical object. As part of a major update to Adobe Creative Cloud, the new 3D printing capabilities available in Photoshop CC enable Creative Cloud members to easily and reliably build, refine, preview, prepare and print 3D designs. All you have to do is click “Print.”

Don’t care about 3D printing (what??), Adobe has a couple of other updates to PS CC that might interest you instead, such as Perspective Warp and Linked Smart Objects.