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I know 3D printing's potential effects on miniature gaming is not a new topic, but this has the potential to push 3D printing way more into the mainstream and that could have a HUGE impact on the figure market.

http://www.engadget.com/2016/02/15/mattel-thingmaker-3d-printer/

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BT0TQA4/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1GHJMMA7N3P4C&coliid=I3SBVPD5B5Q11O

I'll be curious to see what sort of resolution it's capable of.

Not expecting much for $300...

I wonder how much the plastic is going to cost, and how sturdy it is - I can see using that for custom terrain....

And from Mattel?!

The Auld Grump

Yeah, we definitely could use more information. Like:

1: resolution?
2: price of plastic?
3: can you use other design programs?

It's a product I'm going to keep watching, though.

Formats that it accepts is a major consideration.

Well, just played with their thingmaker app, and it can generate STL files, at least.

<EDIT> I should explain that better, I think - the app generates a zip file; the zip file contains STL files for actual printing from where I guess you'd have the printer connected.

This article has a little more info, as well as pictures of some 3D printed samurai heads (which frankly don't look that great). The article says that it uses PLA spools.

http://www.cnet.com/products/mattel-thingmaker/

If you watch the video, there are some high res pictures that allow you to see the quality output. It looks fun,(I kinda want one, lol), but ultimately, just another 3D printer with mediocre output -- but bundled with some kid-friendly tablet software.

Hrrm.. after looking over this list.. This thing (maker) is getting a pass.
http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/affordable-3d-printer/
There's already an assortment of 3d printers that are equal or better in quality for a similar pricepoint.

Well, this is a lot more mainstream than I ever expected 3d printing to get.

 Talys wrote:
It looks fun,(I kinda want one, lol), but ultimately, just another 3D printer with mediocre output -- but bundled with some kid-friendly tablet software.

Yes, BUT the more mainstream/popular this becomes, the more common hacks and mods will become, and it becomes more and more likely that someone will succeed in "upgrading" it to the point of being genuinely good.

I agree it's not useful for me personally at this point, but I'm quite happy to see it out there.

- H8

Yeah, the more mainstream this stuff gets, the faster the technology should be able to evolve.