3D printing is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file using an additive processes.

In an additive process an object is created by laying down successive layers of thinly sliced horizontal cross-section materials until the entire object is created.

It all starts with making a virtual design of the object you want to create, using a
CAD (Computer Aided Design) 3D modeling program or with the use of a 3D scanner (to copy an existing object). A 3D scanner makes a 3D digital copy of an object. To prepare a digital file for printing, the 3D modeling software “slices” the final model into hundreds or thousands of horizontal layers. When the sliced file is uploaded in a 3D printer, the object can be created layer by layer. The 3D printer reads every slice (or 2D image) and creates the object, blending each layer with hardly any visible sign of the layers, with as a result the three dimensional object.

Juliet Ibrahim, Bryan Okwara and a host of other celebrities gathered last weekend at the unveiling of the first 3D Shapify printing technology in Nigeria and Africa by a United States based company – 3D Makery.com (with its Nigerian company situated in Ikeja) at the Ikeja City Mall, Lagos.

The company, founded by Nigerian serial entrepreneur, Israel Ovirih. According to him, the introduction of this service also marks the first in Africa and one of the numerous few that are available globally (only 19 are available worldwide including the only one in Africa). The CEO further described the 3D technology as the fourth revolution that will transform the global landscape with high-definition digital tech systems delivery and also asserted that it takes 6 minutes to scan and print objects, image, person or group, work etc, which is a cutting edge for the technology.