Desktop 3D printers

[nkp_174]

A question about shapeways, I assume they have a much better resolution on thier machines than my MakerBot has? I ask because what looks good on the screen some times does not translate well into a 3D print.

It isn't just resolution, but also the rigidity of the printer structure, the calibration/alignment of the printer, etc. The resolution is better too. Essentially, what features do you give up in reducing the cost of a machine from $25,000 down to $2,500? For some modeling applications, your Makerbot is just fine, but for others, I don't think you'll be able to get as good of results as can be obtained with commercial printers. As your feel for what it can do and how best to draw objects, you'll see it translate better into prints.