A method, computing system, and one or more computer-readable storage media for fabricating full color three-dimensional objects are provided herein. The method includes transforming a three-dimensional model into instructions for a fabrication device by slicing the three-dimensional model into layers with color information preserved, generating two-dimensional polygons for each layer based on colors on faces, colors on textures, and/or gradient colors, and determining a tool path for fabricating an object from colored materials based on the two-dimensional polygons for each layer. Determining the tool path includes generating instructions that direct the fabrication device to apply colored material for all two-dimensional polygons of a same color before switching colors, smooth an exterior of the object by switching colors at an internal vertex of each two-dimensional polygon within each layer, and deposit transitional material within an infill area, a support structure, and/or an area outside the object when switching colors.

Certain examples described herein relate to structure forming for the production of a three-dimensional object. In these examples, different structure forming components or functions are applied to volumes of a three-dimensional object. These structure forming components or functions are arranged to differentially generate a halftone output. The halftone output is generated by processing a material volume coverage representation for the three-dimensional object. The halftone output is used to provide control data for instructing production of a three-dimensional object.

An adjustable level 3-D printing platform includes a platform, three support posts, and an adjusting component by which heights of the three support posts are adjustable. The bottom of the build platform includes at least one socket to engage with a ball end of one of the three support posts, thereby enabling two point leveling. The adjusting component is configured to simultaneously adjust a height of the at least three support posts using a first arm and a second arm, each connected to the build platform at respective pivot points and configured to apply respective clamping forces to the support posts. The printing platform further includes at least one sensor leveling system that deploys a probe, measures a relative probe state, and compares the measurement to a predetermined value. During the leveling processes, the 3-D printer is configured to provide sensory feedback.

The present invention provides a method (200) of modifying a shoe-last, comprising: acquiring (201) current digital data representing a foot shape; providing (202) reference digital data representing a shoe-last shape to be modified; comparing (203) the current digital data with the reference digital data to design patch shapes and patch positions; providing a shoe-last corresponding to the reference digital data; producing (204) patch elements corresponding to the patch shapes; and applying (204) the patch elements on the shoe-last in accordance with the patch positions obtaining a modified shoe-last. The production and the application of the patch elements on the shoe-last are performed by employing an additive manufacturing technique.

A control system for a machine, operating on a worksite is associated with an implement, which perform additive construction operations in accordance with a pre-determined implement control plan. The system includes a positioning system, one or more implement control actuators, and a controller. The positioning system is configured to determine positioning signals associated with, at least, a terrain of the worksite and any worksite objects existing thereon. The controller determine an available zone, in which the machine and implement are capable of executing the additive construction operations within the available zone, based on the positioning signals and the pre-determined implement control plan, and determine an operation zone, relative to a desired additive construction site on the worksite, within the available zone, wherein parameters of the operation zone are based, at least in part, on the available zone, the machine configuration, and the pre-determined implement control plan.

A system and method for improving the production of objects with fully defined CAD models by generating CAD slice files from the native CAD geometries for use by AM machines. An electronic processing element receives the CAD model having a native and/or neutral format with metadata, determines a desired resolution, slices the CAD model to create the slice files having a slice format (e.g., point, edge, surface, volume) and retaining the metadata, and evaluates the slice files to determine whether the resolution has been achieved. If so, the slice files are sent to the AM machine. If not, a new desired resolution is determined and the CAD model is re-sliced, which may include combining the slice files to regenerate the CAD model. A support structure for the object may be analyzed, and if distortion is predicted, a modified CAD model may be created and sliced to create modified slice files.

Methods and systems are described for using 3D printing means to construct surprise-related objects. In one embodiment, at least one construction configuration for a three-dimensional object is intended to prevent premature access, by a consumer, to hidden content, with the hidden content intended, at least in part, to surprise the consumer following construction of at least part of the three-dimensional object. Various embodiments demonstrate preventing premature access to hidden content by constructing locked container objects, breakable container objects, sealable container objects, expandable objects, deliberately disorganized build patterns, visual barrier layers, and/or visual barrier object portions. Several embodiments include creating at least one object to at least partly render inaccessible at least a portion of at least one other object. Select objects constructed include gift objects, financial transaction products, edible products, and/or other objects.

Methods and systems are described for constructing 3D printed objects with temporarily-viewable content. Select temporarily-viewable content is constructed using at least one additive manufacturing material, displayed on at least one visible layer of the unfinished object, viewable at least in part to entertain and/or instruct the user during at least one object construction phase, and concealed by at least one covering layer. Various embodiments include temporarily-viewable content configured as advertisements, text communications, graphical imagery, product representations, indicia, and/or other designs. Several embodiments include displaying successively-changing temporarily-viewable content to create dynamic presentations, replacing temporarily-viewable content with permanently-viewable content, and/or constructing temporarily-viewable sculptures and/or other three-dimensional representations as at least part of unfinished object builds. Certain embodiments include modifying content at least partly due to user attentiveness, location, and/or movement.

A slicing printing method for color 3D model is disclosed. The method comprises following steps of: building a color 3D object into a coloring model; dividing the coloring model into a plurality of color cells, wherein a shell of each of the color cells forms an accommodating space configured to accommodate a color material; setting respectively the color of the color material accommodated by each color cell according to the color of the color 3D object and generating a printing color data corresponding to the color 3D model; generating a printing object data associated with the printing color data according to the color cells. The disclosed example can effectively realize the printing of the color 3D model through the inkjet manner via generating color cells configured to accommodate color materials.

Methods and systems are described for constructing media-synchronized objects through additive manufacturing means. At least one construction configuration for at least one object is at least partly synchronized with at least one segment of at least one associated instructional media presentation viewed by a user through at least one media presentation device. Various embodiments demonstrate successive object portions synchronized with successive media presentation segments, at least partly automated object construction synchronized with one or more media presentation segments, and/or user assembly of multiple object portions configured to modify media presentation aspects. In select embodiments, object design modifications by the user are configured to change media presentation aspects. Certain embodiments permit accelerated and/or decelerated object construction being configured to accelerate, decelerate, lengthen, and/or truncate associated media presentations.