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3D Print Your Summer Vacation By Carlie Wagner Keep your eyes peeled on your next trip, and you just might notice some fun examples of 3D printing. Whether you are headed to the beach, the mountains, or the plains, one thing that every great summer vacation should include is a souvenir to remind you of your trip. This year, bring home something truly unique with a 3D printed keepsake. Enjoy a Museum in a Whole New Way Summer vacations are a great time to check out the local museums. In recent years, many have implemented a push to make the learning experience more interactive, and 3D printing has proven to be a fantastic tool. Even if you can’t visit in person, some museums are making it possible to bring part of their collection to you. Institutions like the Smithsonian have been busy 3D scanning their artifacts. The files are then uploaded to their website for you to download and print. Some museums are also embracing 3D printing as a way to share one-of-a-kind artifacts that are otherwise difficult to display. For example, Ötzi the Iceman, a 5,300 year old skeleton that was discovered in northern Italy in 1991, is currently on display at the South Tyrol Museum of Archeology in Bolzano, Italy. If you can’t make it to Bolzano, however, thanks to 3D printing, you may still be able to view Ötzi in person. Currently, three medical-grade 3D printed replicas of Ötzi are heading out on a museum tour. 3D printers are also helping museum visitors get up close and personal with history. When the National Museum of Art in Norway sought a more 32 www.cadlearning.com visceral experience for visitors, they turned to Nils Anderssen, a game developer who enjoys recreating historical items. Anderssen used 3ds Max to create a replica of a 6th century sword. The design was then printed in bronze. Now, visitors are able to hold a copy of a priceless sword in their hands. Print Your Portrait With gorgeous beaches, crystal clear waters, and some of the best sunsets around, the Florida Keys are the perfect destination for your tropical summer vacation. After soaking up some rays, take a little break from the heat by heading to downtown Key West, where you will find a new shop called 3D Mini Me. Specializing in custom 3D portraits, the shop offers a truly unique way to memorialize your vacation with a life-like 3D printed portrait. The portrait process starts with a 3D scan. Customers can choose between a bust and a full standing sculpture. The size of the figurines ranges from 3 inches to 15 inches. To further customize the 3D portrait, the shop can add finishes, colors, names, and more. Those that opt for the full-color model receive a life-like figurine that looks just like them, down to their lipstick shade. Do you want to get your 3D portrait made someplace that is even more unique? Consider hitting the open seas with Costa Cruises. Looking to set themselves apart from the competition, the