CoKreeate can scan a normal cover and turn the 2D image into a 3D via CAD model

Mar 4, 2014 14:22 GMT  ·  By

Computer-aided design can be hard to learn, but it can lead to some really awesome stuff, like computer games, computer-animated films and, among other things, models that can be used for 3D printing.

Los Angeles-based 3D scan and print service CoKreeate is making good on the possibility of using CAD to turn 2D images into 3D models.

The company's owners are very good friends with a pro wrestler who also writes comic books, and they wanted to make a present for him.

So they took the cover of Brimstone and the Borderhounds #9, scanned it, and turned the scan into a 3D image via CAD program Zbrush.

After that, they used a full-color printer to build a 3D cover out of resin hardened sandstone.

You can see the results for yourself in the comparison shot embedded above.

Alternate covers are a big part of the comic book industry, and there are people who are willing to pay tens of thousands of dollars for an original collector's item.

Virtual comic book covers are often found as collectible Easter Eggs in video games inspired by publishing houses like Marvel or DC Comics.

It's rare to see them both being one-upped so clearly, but CoKreeate did just that this time, at least in my opinion. Not that this is likely to last. Now that someone broke the ice, Marvel and DC are bound to release 3D printed covers of their own, maybe to be given out as contest prizes or premium customer rewards.