Big thanks to our friends at ImageThink!

We took the time to check out Bre Pettis, our Opening Remarks speaker and the CEO of MakerBot, today in Exhibit Hall 5 at 2pm. Pettis talked about how his company seeks to empower people to fundamentally alter the global supply chain, change the way businesses interact with customers and make their own stuff.

Highlights included: MakerBot's Thingiverse currently has more than 40K things to choose from (and 3D print) so the layperson doesn't even have to know CAD! Pettis emphasized that his goal is to make hardware accessible, fun and playful using the example of a Duplo / Brio connector that didn't exist before the advent of commercial 3D printing. On a more intensely heartfelt note, Pettis showed the audience how 3D printing has allowed children who need prosthetics to print out Robohands to enhance and increase their mobility.

Bre Pettis by Tammy Lynn GilmorePettis also used the platform at SXSW Interactive to make two compelling announcements for the Makersphere. He unveiled a MakerBot Digitizer Prototype that uses lasers to scan and collate points on a real-world object and wraps it all up into a 3D model. As an example, Pettis scanned a garden gnome. On his slide, he described the Digitizer thusly:

• Brings objects into the digital world
• Ideal for small/medium objects
• Works in indoor light
• 3 minute high quality scans
• Optimized for 3D printing
• Peer of replication
• LASERS!!!

Community Roundup

Read what the press had to say about the MakerBot Digitizer Prototype announcement:

Engadget
MakerBot unveils prototype Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner, promises easier 3D printing

The Verge
MakerBot announces 3D 'Digitizer' prototype to scan your world, then print it out

Mashable
Makerbot Digitizer Will Let Anyone Scan and Print Physical Items in 3D

The Washington Post
MakerBot’s Bre Pettis introduces ‘Digitizer’ at SXSW

Pettis' second announcement was about MakerBot's partnership with AutoDesk on the 123 Creature app. Read what the press had to say about that:

WIRED
Autodesk Partners With MakerBot, But Really Wants to Make Its Own Hardware

Laptop Mag
3D Printing Is Even Easier with MakerBot and Autodesk Partnership

Reuters
MakerBot and Autodesk Partner to Bring 3D Design and 3D Printing to Everyone

Overall, Pettis evangelized his localized, personalized approach to making things and urged the audience to join MakerBot in creating the next Industrial Revolution.

From the Twittersphere...

SXSW Love
Joel Bush @joelbush https://twitter.com/joelbush/status/310118368206262273

Anticipation
Steven Blumberg @StevenAsher: https://twitter.com/StevenAsher/status/310113782410129408

SXSW Hashtags Too Generic :(
Su @topleftbrick https://twitter.com/TopLeftBrick/status/310111886953836545

Weather
Omar L. Gallaga @omarg https://twitter.com/omarg/status/310119363372003328

Robohands for Kids
Norah Carroll @norahcarroll https://twitter.com/norahcarroll/status/310122051488870400

Imagination
shweri @shweri https://twitter.com/shweri/status/310123313311666176

Power
Omar L. Gallaga @omarg https://twitter.com/omarg/status/310124810468470784

Education
Norah Carroll @norahcaroll https://twitter.com/norahcarroll/status/310122960797171712

En español
Joana Sanchez @ejoana https://twitter.com/ejoana/status/310131604167213056

From MakerBot HQ
@makerbot https://twitter.com/makerbot/status/310146870422958081