MakerBot today announced a new Thingiverse Developer Program that enables developers to add new functionalities and services to its 3D printing community. The new additions include Thing App APIs that allow developers to create apps and services that appear directly on a Thing page, in app purchases and tips, as well as a new Thingiverse Developer Portal.
MakerBot partnered with 3D Hubs to implement their print fulfillment service on Thingiverse, bringing 3D printing to everyone, even those who don’t own or have access to a 3D printer. MakerBot also partnered with Mixed Dimensions to implement a MakePrintable app that allows users to analyze and repair 3D design files before printing them. The new Thingiverse Developer Program and the 3DHubs and MakePrintable apps are expected to launch in the next few weeks.
New App APIs
The existing Thingiverse API allows developers to create apps for other platforms, such as smartphones or tablets, that access data from and publish things directly to Thingiverse. The new Thingiverse Developer Program adds Thing App APIs that extend the functionality of Thingiverse itself. The new Thing App APIs enable developers to create apps that appear directly on a Thing page, including three different categories: print apps that provide print services, customization apps that allow users to customize a thing, and tools/utilities apps that analyze, fix or modify a thing.
In App Purchases and Tips
In app purchases and tips for Thingiverse allow app developers to charge for services they offer within their app and designers to receive a cut of these payments through tips. Both in app purchases and tips will only be available for things that are licensed under a Creative Commons license that allows for commercial use and designers can opt out of apps at any time.
Thingiverse Developer Portal
The Developer Portal includes instructions on how to develop apps for Thingiverse, how to submit apps to MakerBot, and a new sandbox that allows developers to test their apps.
New Thingiverse Apps
3D Hubs is launching the first 3D print fulfillment app for Thingiverse using the new Thing App APIs. The integrated App adds a “Print” button to Thingiverse designs licensed under a Creative Commons license that allows for commercial use. This allows users to directly 3D print the object at the nearest 3D Hubs location. Educators who want to teach 3D design in the classroom but don’t have access to a 3D printer can upload their designs to Thingiverse and get them 3D printed around the corner.
