3D Builder

3D Builder by Microsoft is an app that supports 3D printing. Released in 2013, the free app allows users to modify a library of 3D objects, which includes toys, household items, miniatures, and seasonal objects. Users can scale, rotate, and adjust the 3D model for 3D printing.

Users can also import design or CAD files, add multiple objects to a single print, or stack and push objects into another one to create new objects. 3D Builder does not have capabilities to create objects from scratch.

Microsoft is also adding native 3D printer support to Windows 8.1 that offers plug-and-play support for printers, reads 3D file formats, and allows 3D printing from third-party applications.

• View and prepare objects for 3D printing on Windows 8.1-ready devices
• Load STL, OBJ, or 3MF files from disk
• Library of 3D objects to explore and print

• Windows 8.1 machine
• Windows 8.1-ready 3D printer