Companies, hobbyists get professional 3D Design Software and a 3D Printer starting at $1500

SAN MATEO, Calif. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — May 17, 2011 — Today, Alibre, Inc., developer of affordable CAD/CAM software, announced the availability of the industry-first 3D printing hardware and software bundles. Partnering with 3D Systems Corporation (Nasdaq: TDSC), the global leader and inventor of rapid prototyping and 3D printing solutions, Alibre now offers complete 3D design and 3D printing for creators, DIYers and businesses. To meet the 3D printing needs of a growing Maker community, the bundles deliver the first-ever total personal manufacturing package starting at under $1,500. This enables someone to go from idea to 3D model on a computer screen to actually holding the finished product in their hands within hours.

Alibre will be demoing this industry-first this weekend, May 21 and 22, at Maker Faire – Bay Area, expected to ‘draw’ over 100,000 attendees. The Alibre booth will be located in the Expo Hall at the San Mateo County Event Center. Makers will receive special event pricing and incentives for the launch of Alibre's complete modeling and 3D printing solutions and the company is giving away one complete package to a lucky Maker.

“Alibre’s 3D CAD software combined with our portfolio of personal 3D printing systems will allow individuals to become their own one-stop design and printing shop,” said Abe Reichental, President and Chief Executive Officer of 3D Systems. “It is an exciting time for the maker community, as these content-to-print bundles democratize access to affordable, easy to use integrated 3D solutions.”

Starting at $1,500, Makers can get Alibre Design Personal Edition™ software, which includes parametric modeling of parts and assemblies and 2D detailed drawings, plus the 3D Systems’ Rapman™ Kit, a build-your-own 3D printing kit capable of plastic modeling and rapid prototyping. Available for $4,999 and targeted at professional use, Alibre offers the Alibre Design Professional Edition™ software and 3D Systems’ BFB-3000™ 3D Printer, a pre-assembled 3D printer sized for the users’ desktop, capable of advanced multi-color prototyping with three print heads. Both bundles offer import and export capabilities via industry standard formats such as STEP, IGES, DXF and DWG as well as STL export capability that provides a direct interface to the Rapman™ Kit and BFB-3000™ printers.

“We are very excited to bring these 3D printing bundles to the Maker community at such disruptively affordable price points,” said J. Paul Grayson, chairman and CEO of Alibre, Inc. “Four years ago, 3D printing solutions cost nearly $25,000 without the 3D CAD software. Alibre and 3D Systems will allow creators, DIYers and Makers the ability to bring their visions to reality without having to outsource the printing. Makers will be able to effectively run 3D printing factories in their own homes, offices or schools for under $1,500, which has been unheard of until now.”

The bundles are available for purchase on the Alibre website. For more details regarding these complete 3D design and printing packages please visit www.alibre.com.

About 3D Systems Corporation

3D Systems is a leading provider of 3D content-to-print solutions including 3D printers, print materials, creative printable content development, curation and downloads and on-demand custom part services for professionals and consumers alike. Its expertly integrated solutions reduce the time, cost and complexity of designing and manufacturing new products and printing real parts directly from digital input. These solutions are used to design, communicate, prototype and produce functional end-use parts empowering customers to create with confidence.

More information on the company is available at www.3DSystems.com, www.Printin3D.com, www.3Dproparts.com, www.toptobottomdental.com, www.bitsfrombytes.com, www.dpt-fast.com, www.The3dStudio.com, www.freedomofcreation.com, www.quickparts.com, blog.3Dsystems.com, or via email at Email Contact.

About Alibre, Inc.

Alibre www.alibre.com is the leading global provider of cost effective professional grade mechanical CAD, CAM, and PDM solutions. Founded in 1997, Richardson, Texas-based Alibre is led by Chairman and CEO J. Paul Grayson (previously CEO of Micrografx) and other graphics visionaries who are changing the landscape of 3D mechanical CAD/CAM software. Alibre develops Alibre Design™ and Alibre CAM™, the fastest growing parametric CAD/CAM solutions on the market. A small fraction of the cost of comparable software, Alibre Design offers the same core features as SolidWorks, Pro/E, Inventor, and other mid-range solid modeling packages at a cost that is affordable to any business or individual. Alibre CAM extends Alibre Design to provide integrated 2 1/2 to 5 axis CNC machining. Used by an immensely diverse user base, Alibre Design and Alibre CAM provide design and manufacturing solutions to Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, consulting firms, machine shops, start-ups, hobbyists, inventors, teachers and students. Alibre products are distributed in 50 countries and in 15 languages. For more information on Alibre, or for a free trial of Alibre Design and Alibre CAM, please visit www.alibre.com .