US automobile major Ford now offers its customers the option to download 3D digital paintings and get them printed onto car through the maiden Ford 3D Store.
Empowering customers to contemplate their own model and bring completion to the fullest, the Ford 3D Store via 3d.ford.com offers a host of 3D digital files from a library of more than 1,000 images. Moreover, the visitors of the website can choose the size and material they desire.
Some of the Ford models incorporating the 3D-printed designs are: GT, F-150 Raptor, Shelby GT350R, Focus ST and Fiesta ST.
Ford Global Brand Licensing licensing manager Mark Bentley said: "3D printing at home is a growing trend, and it makes sense for us to offer our customers a chance to make their own 3D Ford models.
"At Ford, we're using 3D printing every day to rapidly prototype parts, and now we want to share that fun with our fans."
The 3D-printed models showcased on the website are 1/32nd scale in plastic.
However, after buying a digital image, the users could take a sneak peek of what is going to materialize after peeking through the 3D-design printed to a scale through printer.
Besides, professional 3D printers could also provide demonstrations of the model in materials ranging from soft plastics to sandstone and even various metals.
Quoting a research, the company said sales of desktop 3D printers would surpass one million units by 2018, up from the count of 44,000 recorded last year.
The website was built by TurboSquid, a 3D image marketing firm which draws from those used in the video games.
Image: 3D printed model of the Ford Raptor F-150 from the Ford 3D Store. Photo: courtesy of Ford Motor.
