Gallery: A Kids' Book Where Every Character Can Be 3-D Printed

  • Readers of Leo the Maker Prince can follow the lead character and produce objects from the book on their own 3D...
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    Readers of *Leo the Maker Prince* can follow the lead character and produce objects from the book on their own 3-D printers. *Photo: Carla Diana*
  • Image may contain Figurine Helmet Clothing and Apparel
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    Author [Carla Diana](http://carladiana.com/blog/) had been using 3-D printers for years at innovation consultancies like Frog Design and hopes to spread the magic of these machines within the preschool set. *Photo: Carla Diana*
  • Image may contain Furniture Chair and Toy
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    By following along with the book, kids craft action figure avatars of Diana and Leo, produce musical instruments, a chess set, and even print a functional habitat for a hamster. *Photo: Carla Diana*
  • When printing an instrument kids are instructed to place some small objects like coins or beads inside of a void...
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    When printing an instrument, kids are instructed to place some small objects, like coins or beads, inside of a void, mid-print which are sealed inside as the print finishes, creating a rattle while demonstrating the power of creative hacking. *Photo: Carla Diana*
  • Image may contain Clothing Apparel Tape Footwear Electronics Mouse Hardware Computer and Shoe
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    "There's been a lot of news around 3-D printed prosthetics and body parts, but this seemed just a little too, well, icky, for this kid's book," says Diana who chose to teach the same principle through customized footwear. *Photo: Carla Diana*
  • Image may contain Silver
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    To create the jewelry designs featured in the book, she taught herself to manipulate 3-D models using the Python programming language. *Photo: Carla Diana*
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    "I found it fascinating that experts working at 3-D printing companies like Makerbot admitted that although we know this technology will change life as we know it, we can't say for certain exactly how," says Diana. *Photo: Carla Diana*
  • Image may contain Plant Vase Potted Plant Pottery Jar and Planter
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    "I wanted to empower them with visions of how 3-D printing can be used by people in their everyday lives," says Diana. *Photo: Carla Diana*
  • Image may contain Cone
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    "I truly believe that we don't know what kinds of artifacts, processes and manufacturing techniques can emerge from 3-D printing," says Diana. "It can completely change everything we know about design and production." *Photo: Carla Diana*
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