3D PRINTING METHOD AND COMPUTING DEVICE USING ARBITRARY PRINTERS AND ARBITRARY SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS

摘要

Embodiments relate to an operating system configured to enable arbitrary applications (106) to output 3D models to be physically formed by arbitrary 3D manufacturing devices (104). The operating system (100) manages the 3D manufacturing devices (104), including installation of related software, device drivers, device properties, and so forth (102). The operating system also provides a path through which the arbitrary applications pass arbitrary print jobs (or documents) of 3D models, in a standard format, to the 3D manufacturing devices. The operating system handles queuing and spooling on behalf of the applications and the 3D manufacturing devices. Drivers of the 3D manufacturing devices may translate the 3D models outputted by the applications (in the standard format) to instructions or device language content that is specific to the respective 3D manufacturing devices.