Stories with Tag public domain

• The Iconic 3DBenchy Enters the Public Domain

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  Posted: 2025-02-14 21:39:29

  Verbose tl;dr

  The popular 3D printer benchmark and test model, #3DBenchy, designed by Creative Tools, is now in the public domain. After ten years of copyright protection, anyone can freely use, modify, and distribute the Benchy model without restriction. This change opens up new possibilities for its use in education, research, and commercial projects. Creative Tools encourages continued community involvement and development around the Benchy model.

  The renowned and ubiquitously recognized 3D printing benchmark model, affectionately known as #3DBenchy, has transitioned into the public domain, signifying a momentous occasion for the additive manufacturing community. Originally conceived in 2015 by Creative Tools, a subsidiary of the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), 3DBenchy has served as an invaluable tool for evaluating and calibrating 3D printers worldwide. Its intricate design, incorporating a multitude of challenging geometric features such as overhangs, curved surfaces, and fine details, provides a comprehensive assessment of a printer's capabilities across various parameters.

  This shift to the public domain, after a period of being freely available under a Creative Commons license, effectively eliminates all previous licensing restrictions, granting unrestricted freedom to users for modification, distribution, and commercial exploitation of the 3DBenchy design. This newfound liberation empowers users to not only utilize the model for its original purpose of printer calibration but also to adapt and incorporate it into derivative works without any legal encumbrances or attribution requirements. The transition underscores Creative Tools' commitment to fostering open innovation and promoting the widespread adoption of 3D printing technology. The company views the move as a catalyst for further development within the 3D printing ecosystem, envisioning a future where the iconic little tugboat continues to play a pivotal role in advancing the state-of-the-art. Essentially, 3DBenchy, once a proprietary design, now belongs to the community as a whole, free for all to utilize and build upon. This act of releasing the design underscores the maturation of the 3D printing industry and solidifies 3DBenchy's legacy as a cornerstone of the technology's advancement.

  • 3D printing
  • 3DBenchy
  • Benchmark
  • calibration
  • public domain
  • Copyright
  • Creative Commons
  • Open Source
  • 3D Model
  • Digital Design
  • Additive Manufacturing

  Summary of Comments ( 15 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43053350

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users discussed the implications of 3DBenchy entering the public domain, mostly focusing on its continued relevance. Some questioned its usefulness as a benchmark given advancements in 3D printing technology, suggesting it's more of a nostalgic icon than a practical tool. Others argued it remains a valuable quick print for testing new filaments or printer tweaks due to its familiarity and readily available troubleshooting information. A few comments highlighted the smart move by the original creators to release it publicly, ensuring its longevity and preventing others from profiting off of slightly modified versions. Several users expressed their appreciation for its simple yet effective design and its contribution to the 3D printing community.

  The Hacker News post "The Iconic 3DBenchy Enters the Public Domain" (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43053350) has generated several comments discussing the implications of 3DBenchy's move to the public domain and its significance within the 3D printing community.

  Several commenters express positive sentiment about Creative Tools' decision. One user describes it as "a class act" and highlights the benefit to the community now that anyone can freely modify and distribute derivatives of the Benchy. This sentiment is echoed by another who emphasizes the freedom it grants for creating and selling modified Benchys without legal concerns.

  The discussion also touches upon the practical aspects of the public domain dedication. One commenter asks about the specific license used to ensure clarity and avoid potential misunderstandings regarding permitted usage. Another user responds, explaining that Creative Tools used CC0, which effectively relinquishes all copyright and related rights, placing the work firmly in the public domain. This exchange clarifies the legal ramifications of the decision.

  Furthermore, the conversation delves into the history and cultural impact of 3DBenchy. A commenter recalls its ubiquitous presence in the 3D printing world, highlighting its utility as a benchmarking and calibration tool. They also mention seeing various iterations and modifications, demonstrating its influence on the community's creativity. Another user recounts its role as a "torture test" for new printers and filaments, illustrating its practical value beyond just calibration.

  Some comments explore potential future uses of 3DBenchy now that it's in the public domain. One commenter suggests it could be incorporated into 3D modeling software as a standard test object. Another envisions its use in educational settings to teach 3D modeling principles. These comments highlight the potential for wider adoption and integration of Benchy across different applications.

  Finally, there's a discussion regarding the enduring legacy of 3DBenchy. One commenter expresses the belief that it will continue to be widely used and recognized within the 3D printing community, solidifying its status as an iconic design. Another user remarks on the infrequent occurrence of objects achieving this level of recognition in the digital realm, underscoring the significance of Benchy's public domain status.

  In summary, the comments on Hacker News reflect a generally positive response to 3DBenchy entering the public domain. They discuss the legal aspects of the decision, the practical implications for users, the historical context of Benchy's development, and its potential future uses. Overall, the comments paint a picture of a community that appreciates Creative Tools' generosity and anticipates the continued impact of this iconic 3D model.

• The Human Alphabet

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  Posted: 2025-02-12 18:37:15

  Verbose tl;dr

  "The Human Alphabet," published in 1848, presents a whimsical yet structured exploration of letterforms created by contorting the human body. Engraved by artist Edward Lumley, the illustrations depict men, women, and children individually and in groups, painstakingly arranged to mimic each letter of the alphabet. The poses range from simple to complex, demonstrating both the flexibility of the human form and the ingenuity required to achieve these typographic representations. Ultimately, the work serves as a playful intersection of art, anatomy, and typography, offering a unique visual interpretation of the alphabet.

  The Public Domain Review's entry entitled "The Human Alphabet" showcases a fascinating historical curiosity: a series of photographs from the late 19th or early 20th century depicting groups of individuals arranged to form letters of the Roman alphabet. These meticulously posed human formations, captured in a somewhat grainy, sepia-toned photographic style characteristic of the period, offer a whimsical and intriguing glimpse into the past. Each letter is painstakingly constructed by the strategic positioning of a considerable number of people, often clad in dark, seemingly uniform attire. The individuals, likely students or members of some kind of organized group, stand shoulder to shoulder, sometimes limb over limb, to create the desired shapes with their bodies. Their concerted effort and the precision required to achieve the legible forms are clearly evident.

  While the exact provenance and purpose of these images remain somewhat obscure, their existence speaks to a playful ingenuity and a perhaps now-unfamiliar sense of communal entertainment. The photographs suggest a time when such elaborate, coordinated physical displays were a source of amusement and possibly even a point of civic or institutional pride. The sheer number of participants involved implies a significant organizational undertaking. Furthermore, the careful arrangement of the individuals and the evident pre-planning needed to execute these alphabet formations hint at a deeper, possibly pedagogical, purpose. One can imagine these human letters being part of a larger performance, a celebratory display, or perhaps a novel approach to physical education or group activity.

  The stark contrast between the dark figures and the lighter background emphasizes the shapes of the letters, making them readily discernible despite the limitations of early photographic technology. This visual clarity, combined with the inherent novelty of the subject matter, gives the collection a timeless appeal. The "Human Alphabet" serves as a captivating visual record of a bygone era's creativity and collective spirit, reminding us of the ingenuity and entertainment value found in simpler, more physical forms of expression before the advent of modern digital entertainment. It stands as a testament to the human capacity for organized playfulness and the enduring allure of the alphabet as a fundamental building block of communication.

  • Alphabet
  • human alphabet
  • Typography
  • calligraphy
  • design
  • art
  • History
  • Visual Culture
  • human body
  • body art
  • photography
  • 19th Century
  • victorian
  • educational
  • instructional
  • Vintage
  • public domain
  • Public Domain Review

  Summary of Comments ( 0 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43028300

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users discussed the historical context and artistic merit of human alphabets. Some noted similar formations depicted in older works, like a 15th-century manuscript. Several appreciated the diversity represented by including non-Western alphabets, pointing out examples from Ethiopia and India. There was debate about the practicality and accuracy of the formations, with some questioning how legible or standardized they truly were, particularly for languages with larger character sets. Others found the concept aesthetically pleasing and fascinating, appreciating the ingenuity and creativity of representing language through the human body. A few comments focused on the photographer's skill in capturing these intricate poses. The overall sentiment leaned toward appreciation for the historical curiosity and visual appeal of the human alphabets.

  The Hacker News post titled "The Human Alphabet" links to a Public Domain Review collection of images depicting people forming letters of the alphabet. The discussion in the comments section is relatively brief and doesn't delve deeply into any particular theme. There aren't any highly compelling or insightful comments that stand out significantly.

  One commenter simply expresses appreciation for the link, stating "This is cool." Another comment mentions a specific instance of this type of alphabet formation being used in a performance, recalling how school children formed the letters "USSR" on a field during a visit by Khrushchev.

  A third comment shifts the focus slightly, linking to a Wikipedia article about semaphore, a system of visual signaling using flags or hand-held devices. This comment implies a connection between the human alphabet and other forms of visual communication where body posture conveys information.

  The final comment points out the historical aspect of the images, noting they are from the 19th century, and then speculates on their potential use in silent films. This introduces a possible practical application of the human alphabet beyond mere artistic expression.

  While these comments provide some additional context and related ideas, they don't constitute a deep or complex discussion of the topic. The overall sentiment is one of mild appreciation for the visual curiosity of the human alphabet.