Carl Bass, who’s helmed the $2 billion corporation since 2006, admits that the delineation between building virtual and physical products is eroding, and that has created opportunities for companies who have traditionally focused on developing and selling software.
“It used to be that it was this unwritten rule that software companies don’t do hardware, and vice versa,” he says, “but I think the rules are changing…. It totally would be fun. I personally would love it.”
— wired.com
5 Comments
Great, now Autodesk will start buying all the 3d printing companies and create a monopoly like they have done with all the other AEC software
^ don't knock them just yet.. Maybe Autodesk will offer students free, fully functioning, trail 3D printers like they do softwares.. perhaps for dirt cheap xP
the more the merrier.. it'll only push the prices for 3D printers down.
I'd love to see how many bongs get printed out.
Don't you think decrying "monopoly" at first ear is far too reactionary? Yes, it's not wrong, but I can't see where a move like this is anything less than dramatically and essentially productive for 3D printing. At worst, this hardly changes the situation - 3D printing is already obscenely expensive, and despite the emergence of small scale and home alternatives, the cost does not seem to be lessening any time soon. At best though, the integration and attention of a company who has made their product the ubiquitous standard for the entire design world, with an emergent technology like 3D printing can only increase its potential that much more.
i don't think autodesk's involvement will reduce prices. that's kind of not what they do. monopolies is a a thing they do, so i would not use the work 'reactionary.' maybe something more like 'typical.' kickstarter has been and will be a much more useful avenue for development IMHO.
you think there will be more bongs or guns printed?
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.