Microsoft releases '3D' printer app for Windows 8.1

Microsoft on Friday announced the availability of 3D Builder, the software giant's first 3D printing application making use of a new 3D printing pipeline built into the Windows 8.1 update.

The app is free and currently available in the Windows Store. Microsoft is also selling MakerBot 3D printers through its online stores for a one-stop shopping solution to your 3D printing needs.

Microsoft's 3D Builder includes a library of 3D printable objects, including "decorations, toys, jewelry, and more items that people can customize and adapt in minutes before printing them in 3D," the company said.

"A few months ago, you may have heard that Windows 8.1 makes 3D printing possible because it is native to the operating system, meaning the OS offers plug-and-play support for printers, understands 3D file formats, and connects lots of apps with lots of hardware to deliver a seamless printing experience for customers. Now, with the 3D Builder app, we've made it even easier for people to create and print objects in 3D," Microsoft's Kristina Libby wrote in a blog post.

Windows 8.1 was designed to support 3D printing in an almost gimmick that’s cool instead of moonshotty, due to the falling price of consumer-grade 3D printers, such as what MakerBot produces. MakerBot will support Windows 8.1 this year, if you didn’t know.

The application is designed to help you design. It has a catalog of built-in pieces, and you can add your own to zazz things a touch. From the looks of it, if you recall the creature stage of Spore, it should be somewhat similar. 

Microsoft was late to the Internet and missed the smartphone train, but it appears hell-bent on being early in 3D printing. If the technology advances far enough as the price falls quickly enough, this could be a winning move for Microsoft in the next five years. For now, you can probably only make little lumpen dinosaurs for your kid if you have all the hardware.