With new owners comes new editorial direction. You’re taking a look at the very first evidence of that best now. We’re going to be doing some regular columns devoted to specific subjects, as well as with our fascination of all things three dimensional, it only made sense our very first regular column was devoted to 3D printers. as well as utilizing 3D printers, stuff made with 3D printers. Also, things that can be utilized with 3D printers. fantastic wordsmiths we are, we’re calling this column ‘3D Printering.’ If you have a much better name (or a title pic) send it in as well as we’ll most likely utilize it.

With that out of the way…

This week we’re taking a look at remote printing. With anything from an Android tablet to a Raspberry Pi, it’s possible to have a networked 3D printer, the ideal thing for hackerspaces or anybody who wishes to print objects from several computers. one of the most-used tools for this is OctoPrint, a printer hold developed to be run on little embedded gadgets such as a Raspi.

We’ve seen OctoPrint before. however because then it’s matured a whole lot. with a ton of reports of successes running on whatever from a Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone Black, as well as even an OUYA. All the major electronics boards – RAMPS, RAMBo, Sanguinololu – as well as firmwares ought to work with OctoPrint, making an Internet-connected 3D printer just a matter of linking a Raspberry Pi.

Of program OctoPrint isn’t the only networking service for a 3D printer. PrintToPeer is deep into advancement as well as ought to be released sometime this fall. It’s a much much more advanced method of networking a printer that includes an iPad app as well as ‘enterprise class’ functionality.

The PrintToPeer team is providing personal beta invitations, however with a catch: you requirement to print out a piece of a sculpture as well as send it to them. These pieces will be revealed in September as the largest 3D printed sculpture, as well as the word’s very first collaborative 3D sculpture.