Exciting engineering challenges with great prizes

Show off your skills and solve real design problems

Make it Real

Different industries define realism differently – from patient-specific anatomical models in medical, to true color prototypes of consumer goods, to rich textures that showcase the look and feel of vehicle interiors through flexible models that recreate reality on another level. As a designer - What does real mean to you?

Stratasys is challenging designers to unleash their design potential and redefine 3D printed part realism. Using a 3D printable file, define what real means to you and why.

How close can your design get to the “real thing” when fabricated with a Stratasys J750? Leverage what is possible through design for additive manufacturing multi-material printing, on the Stratasys J750. Use the tools of: variable shore values, textures, transparency, and/or full-vivid colors to enable realism in a single print.

Challenge participants will need to download and use GrabCAD Print to produce their .print files. Once GrabCAD Print is downloaded you can access a J750 template printer to prepare your file from the printer selection dropdown in the bottom right of the application. You can find GrabCAD Print help documentation here.

Resource - Selecting Color and Multi-material in GrabCAD Print Using Multiple Bodies

Resource - Selecting and Taving a Tray on a Template Printer

Requirements

  • JUDGING CRITERIA

    1. Aesthetics – Part looks and feels like the real thing it is trying to imitate or create.
    2. Innovation – Part pushes boundaries and challenges conventions of 3D printing.
    3. Solves a Problem – Part realism serves a purpose – not a cute knick-knack.
    4. Use of Technology Tools – Part takes advantage of your choice of 3D modeling software and the unique capabilities of the J750 by Stratasys – i.e. multi-materials, full color.

  • TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS:

    1. Design – 3D design software must be used in the design process – and documented in the submission description.

    2. Printability – Your design must be 3D printable via the Stratasys: J750 PolyJet Printer. Please upload and check your file via GrabCAD Print, to make sure that it can be printed.

    3. Part must be no larger then - 490 x 390 x 200 mm (19.3 x 15.35 x 7.9 in.)

    4. Maximum print time must be less than 48 hours or print will be scaled at Stratasys’ discretion.

    5. Any post-processing required must be documented in the submission description.

    6. Must be printed in High Mix Mode (Utilizing up to 6 materials)

    7. Your entry must include: • OBJ or VRML Format • .Print File - process in GrabCAD Print•. Rendering of your design • Proof that your design can be 3d printed (screen capture from a 3d printing service, or photo of the printed design) • Compelling description of why this part embodies realism.

  • SUBMISSION FILE FORMATS:
    Description of what you are trying to create
    Rendering(s)
    Final design file in OBJ or VRML Format
    Processed .print file for J750

Rules

  • ENTERING THE COMPETITION

    The Challenge is open to everyone except employees and families of GrabCAD and the Sponsor. Multiple entries are welcome. Team entries are welcome.

    By entering the Challenge you:
    1. Accept the official GrabCAD Challenges Terms & Conditions.
    2. Agree to be bound by the decisions of the judges (Jury).
    3. Warrant that you are eligible to participate.
    4. Warrant that the submission is your original work.
    5. Warrant, to the best of your knowledge, your work is not, and has not been in production or otherwise previously published or exhibited.
    6. Warrant neither the work nor its use infringes the intellectual property rights (whether a patent, utility model, functional design right, aesthetic design right, trademark, copyright or any other intellectual property right) of any other person.
    7. Warrant participation shall not constitute employment, assignment or offer of employment or assignment.
    8. Are not entitled to any compensation or reimbursement for any costs.
    9. Agree the Sponsor and GrabCAD have the right to promote all entries.
    If you think an entry may infringe on existing copyrighted materials, please email challenges@grabcad.com.

  • SUBMITTING AN ENTRY

    Only entries uploaded to GrabCAD through the "Submit entry" button on this Challenge page will be considered an entry. Only public entries are eligible. We encourage teams to use GrabCAD Workbench for developing their entries. Entries are automatically given the tag "makeitreal" when uploading to GrabCAD. Please do not edit or delete this tag. Only entries with valid tag will participate in the Challenge.

  • AWARDING THE WINNERS

    The sum of the Awards is the total gross amount of the reward. The awarded participant is solely liable for the payment of all taxes, duties and other similar measures if imposed on the reward pursuant to the legislation of the country of his/her residence, domicile, citizenship, workplace, or any other criterion of similar nature. Only 1 award per person. Prizes may not be transferred or exchanged. All winners will be contacted by the GrabCAD staff to get their contact information and any other information needed to get the prize to them. Payment of cash awards is made through PayPal. All team awards will be transferred to the member who entered the Challenge.

  • We will release the finalists before the announcement of the winners to give the Community an opportunity to share their favorites in the comments, discuss concerns, and allow time for any testing or analysis by the Jury. The Jury will take the feedback into consideration when picking the winners.

  • Winning designs will be chosen based on the Rules and Requirements.

  • This Challenge ends on January 28th, 2019 (23:59 EST.) Finalists will be announced on February 1st, 2019. Winners will be announced on February 11th, 2019 (Live voting at SOLIDWORKS World).

Prizes

Prize Winnings

$16,000 in Prizes & More!

1st Place

$10,000 Stratasys Direct Manufacturing Print Credit, Printed Model, Induction of Part into Stratasys Customer Experience Center to be on display.

2nd Place

$5,000 Stratasys Direct Manufacturing Print Credit, Printed Model

3rd Place

$1,000 Stratasys Direct Manufacturing Print Credit, Printed Model

About Stratasys

For over 30 years we’ve been pioneering 3D Printing technology, solving problems, questioning, inventing and reinventing. Continually asking, “How can we help our customers turn a great idea into a great success?”

109 comments

  • Winston Jennings

    Winston Jennings over 6 years ago

    Interesting challenge. It's not clear to me how the models will be judged. Will they have to each be printed and scrutinised?

    Winston Jennings has uploaded 279 CAD models & has left 879 comments.
  • Charlie Dearman

    Charlie Dearman over 6 years ago

    I see that to be eligible to enter the competition you need to be a student, would you consider opening it up to participants that don't work in 3d printing?

    Charlie Dearman has uploaded 38 CAD models & has left 39 comments.
  • Hunter Hines

    Hunter Hines over 6 years ago

    what is the actual objective (to design _____)

    Hunter Hines has uploaded 3 CAD models & has left 1 comments.
  • D.B.Losser

    D.B.Losser over 6 years ago

    Very cool challenge

    D.B.Losser has uploaded 3 CAD models & has left 2 comments.
  • Abe Gladstone

    Abe Gladstone over 6 years ago

    Charlie - Thank you for your comment. This challenge is not for student's only. Unfortunately that section as part of an old challenge. THIS CHALLENGE IS OPEN TO EVERYONE

    Abe Gladstone has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 54 comments.
  • Abe Gladstone

    Abe Gladstone over 6 years ago

    Winston - Each model will be judged by our 3D printing experts for realism and ability to be 3D printed on our J750. Then the winners will be printed. Under Judging criteria, we list 4 areas the judges will use to judge your submissions.

    Abe Gladstone has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 54 comments.
  • Abe Gladstone

    Abe Gladstone over 6 years ago

    Hunter - Design something that utilizes multi-color and multi-material to come as close as possible to the real world thing. For example, in the GrabCAD 3D printing Group, I shared a model of a banana I had printed. It used textures and multiple colors and materials to simulate the look and feel of a banana.

    Abe Gladstone has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 54 comments.
  • Poorvesh Mistry

    Poorvesh Mistry over 6 years ago

    Abe, can you define "High Mix Mode (Utilizing up to 6 materials)", like PLA, ABS..., does it use any metal ? can you have different colors in any kind of material ? are metallic colors allowed ? can it involve scanned models ?
    Will the contest winner get only Print Credit, no 3d printer or printer material or cash / gift card (Amazon) ?

    Poorvesh Mistry has uploaded 4 CAD models & has left 13 comments.
  • Kavian Niazi

    Kavian Niazi over 6 years ago

    Hey! Great challenge! I'm in!

    Kavian Niazi has uploaded 41 CAD models & has left 617 comments.
  • Abe Gladstone

    Abe Gladstone over 6 years ago

    Hey Poorvesh - The J750 does not print metals, but it has a broad range of materials that you can combine for rigidity, flexability and color. You can find the list of materials here - https://www.stratasys.com/materials/search?technologies=731e07a1a51b42419acd1cb75142dfe6&sortIndex=0

    High Mix Mode is a setting for the J750 where you use at least 6 different materials in the printer. The J750 can print 6 different materials at once to make incredibly unique and realistic parts.

    The winner will get print credit, their 3D printed part off of the J750, and featured in the Stratasys Customer Experience Center.

    Abe Gladstone has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 54 comments.
  • Matthew Fuller

    Matthew Fuller over 6 years ago

    What is Print Credit?

    Matthew Fuller has uploaded 15 CAD models & has left 3 comments.
  • Abe Gladstone

    Abe Gladstone over 6 years ago

    Hi Matthew - It's essentially credit that you can use to get anything you want printed through Stratasys SDM which offers a bunch of solutions for your 3D printing needs.

    Abe Gladstone has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 54 comments.
  • Abe Gladstone

    Abe Gladstone over 6 years ago

    To get some inspiration of what's possible check out this article on the challenge that has some great images of realistic models that have been printed on the J750 - https://www.fabbaloo.com/blog/2019/1/9/make-it-real-challenge-is-open-for-impactful-3d-print-design

    Abe Gladstone has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 54 comments.
  • sytdhydh

    sytdhydh over 6 years ago

    Did the winner of this competition receive a printing credit of $16,000? Still dollar cash?

    sytdhydh has uploaded 3 CAD models & has left 7 comments.
  • Abe Gladstone

    Abe Gladstone over 6 years ago

    Hi Sytdhydh - Please refer to the prizes section above. The first place winner receives $10,000 in print credit. The prizes are not cash, but are credit to be used at Stratasys Direct Manufacturing for 3D printing projects.

    Abe Gladstone has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 54 comments.
  • Winston Jennings

    Winston Jennings over 6 years ago

    When you say "How close can your design get to the real thing?” , does that mean that our models have to be based on existing objects and not our own creation in only CAD? Also, does the printer use support material and do we need to worry about it for our designs?

    Winston Jennings has uploaded 279 CAD models & has left 879 comments.
  • Abe Gladstone

    Abe Gladstone over 6 years ago

    Hi Winston,
    if you can model something of your own creation that then looks realistic with textures and colors we look forward to seeing that model. Yes there is support in the J750, but it is different than most other support in that it is a rubbery peel away and wash away support.

    Abe Gladstone has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 54 comments.
  • Winston Jennings

    Winston Jennings over 6 years ago

    Thanks Abe, I have a few great models coming soon:)

    Winston Jennings has uploaded 279 CAD models & has left 879 comments.
  • Thomas Baker

    Thomas Baker over 6 years ago

    didn't you steal that name from the hacksmith ?

    Thomas Baker has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 1 comments.
  • Iskandar Yuwono

    Iskandar Yuwono over 6 years ago

    what is Stratasys Direct Manufacturing Print Credit?

    Iskandar Yuwono has uploaded 4 CAD models & has left 5 comments.
  • Dhruv Gandhi

    Dhruv Gandhi over 6 years ago

    Hey! Does Stratasys deliver to India?
    Thank you!

    Dhruv Gandhi has uploaded 7 CAD models & has left 23 comments.
  • Abe Gladstone

    Abe Gladstone over 6 years ago

    Hi Dhruv - Yes they do.

    Abe Gladstone has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 54 comments.
  • KADen

    KADen over 6 years ago

    How do you prepare a CAD model for multi color 3D printing?

    KADen has uploaded 1 CAD models & has left 4 comments.
  • Abe Gladstone

    Abe Gladstone over 6 years ago

    Hi Kaden - Shuvom has a whole series on how to prepare color 3D printed parts - https://grabcad.com/shuvom.ghose/tutorials

    Abe Gladstone has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 54 comments.
  • Winston Jennings

    Winston Jennings over 6 years ago

    What are the colors we can use and can it be applied to all the material types?

    Winston Jennings has uploaded 279 CAD models & has left 879 comments.
  • Thomas WOZNIAK

    Thomas WOZNIAK over 6 years ago

    Hi, Im using the GrabCad Print for the first time and it's a really good software but I have two questions : - Is Veroclear material something like glass cause it's look white on the tray ? - When I select the red color it looks like orange on the tray, is it okay too ? Thank you.

    Thomas WOZNIAK has uploaded 37 CAD models & has left 21 comments.
  • Abe Gladstone

    Abe Gladstone over 6 years ago

    Hi Thomas,
    Thank you for your kind words on GrabCAD Print. When selecting VeroClear in GCP, it doesn't show it with transparency. so you see an opaque color that looks like white. The red will look like an orange color when using the classic combination of cmykw. However, if you select the colors using the Vivid Color material it will open up the color gamut a bit and you should be able to reach those vivid reds much easier.
    You can select this via the Tray materials selection in the right tool bar.

    Abe Gladstone has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 54 comments.
  • Thomas WOZNIAK

    Thomas WOZNIAK over 6 years ago

    It's working, thank you.

    Thomas WOZNIAK has uploaded 37 CAD models & has left 21 comments.
  • Winston Jennings

    Winston Jennings over 6 years ago

    Can Grabcad Print do assemblies printed in one go? I'm having trouble figuring it out.

    Winston Jennings has uploaded 279 CAD models & has left 879 comments.
  • Abe Gladstone

    Abe Gladstone over 6 years ago

    Hi Winston,
    Yes GrabCAD can bring in full CAD assemblies and then on the part tree you can either print them assembled or disassembled.

    Abe Gladstone has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 54 comments.
  • Winston Jennings

    Winston Jennings over 6 years ago

    How many trays can we use?

    Winston Jennings has uploaded 279 CAD models & has left 879 comments.
  • Abe Gladstone

    Abe Gladstone over 6 years ago

    Wnston I would refer to rules 3 and 4.

    3. Part must be no larger then - 490 x 390 x 200 mm (19.3 x 15.35 x 7.9 in.)

    4. Maximum print time must be less than 48 hours or print will be scaled at Stratasys’ discretion.

    If you do need two trays to print this then you will need to ensure it takes less than 48 hours. However, you should be able to fit in on one J750 tray.

    Abe Gladstone has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 54 comments.
  • Abe Gladstone

    Abe Gladstone over 6 years ago

    Here are some tutorials on printing to a J750 and how to select colors and add textures. - https://grabcad.com/tutorials?query=stratasys+J750&sort=most-liked

    Abe Gladstone has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 54 comments.
  • Sumit Goski

    Sumit Goski over 6 years ago

    How can i estimate how much time it will take to print my design ?

    Sumit Goski has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 3 comments.
  • Kesa

    Kesa over 6 years ago

    Hello Sumit, if you download GrabCAD Print ( https://print.grabcad.com/ ), and choose a printer in our template printers and estimate it, it should give you a time frame.

    Kesa has uploaded 3 CAD models & has left 211 comments.
  • Abe Gladstone

    Abe Gladstone over 6 years ago

    Hey Sumit,
    Once you have your part in GrabCAD Print you can press the estimate button in the bottom right, to the left of the printer selection.

    Abe Gladstone has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 54 comments.
  • Abe Gladstone

    Abe Gladstone over 6 years ago

    Here is a new tutorial on how to select a Template Printer in GrabCAD Print. This will help you prepare your tray for the J750 - Saving a Tray on a Template Printer

    Abe Gladstone has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 54 comments.
  • Abe Gladstone

    Abe Gladstone over 6 years ago

    Hi All - Here is a great tutorial that we just created to help show you how to select different materials for your designs in this challenge -Selecting Color in Solidworks and GrabCAD Print

    Abe Gladstone has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 54 comments.
  • Winston Jennings

    Winston Jennings over 6 years ago

    The hollow checkbox under the print settings does not reduce print time, is it supposed to? I'm also having trouble with the vrml files not working correctly. Other file formats also lose some of the color info and it's driving me crazy. Any suggestions?

    Winston Jennings has uploaded 279 CAD models & has left 879 comments.
  • Nicolas Detzel

    Nicolas Detzel over 6 years ago

    @Winston Jennings the tutorial states "We can assign colors to faces and features in SolidWorks, but those will not be imported into GrabCAD Print, only the body color will be applied.[1]" I had the same question because the models would look better with multiple color on each part.

    [1] Selecting Color in Solidworks and GrabCAD Print

    Nicolas Detzel has uploaded 36 CAD models & has left 4 comments.
  • Michael Dimou

    Michael Dimou over 6 years ago

    what about the multicolors in Inventor Autodesk? Because I try to follow the instructions, but the result is one color part.

    Michael Dimou has uploaded 20 CAD models & has left 38 comments.
  • KADen

    KADen over 6 years ago

    How will we be able to see the live voting at SOLIDWORKS World?

    KADen has uploaded 1 CAD models & has left 4 comments.
  • Kesa

    Kesa over 6 years ago

    @Michael did you look into GrabCAD Print and saw it was only one color?

    Kesa has uploaded 3 CAD models & has left 211 comments.
  • ATTZ DESIGN

    ATTZ DESIGN over 6 years ago

    I'm ON -.-'

    ATTZ DESIGN has uploaded 23 CAD models & has left 435 comments.
  • ATTZ DESIGN

    ATTZ DESIGN over 6 years ago

    houston we have a problem!
    Upload don't working!

    ATTZ DESIGN has uploaded 23 CAD models & has left 435 comments.
  • ATTZ DESIGN

    ATTZ DESIGN over 6 years ago

    https://grabcad.com/library/chess-stratasys-x-grabcad-1
    This https://grabcad.com/library/new?challenge=makeitreal don't work upload

    ATTZ DESIGN has uploaded 23 CAD models & has left 435 comments.
  • ATTZ DESIGN

    ATTZ DESIGN over 6 years ago

    2 hours and nothing

    ATTZ DESIGN has uploaded 23 CAD models & has left 435 comments.
  • ATTZ DESIGN

    ATTZ DESIGN over 6 years ago

    2:30 and nothing! ^^

    ATTZ DESIGN has uploaded 23 CAD models & has left 435 comments.
  • ATTZ DESIGN

    ATTZ DESIGN over 6 years ago

    CHESS by ATRATUZ print

    ATTZ DESIGN has uploaded 23 CAD models & has left 435 comments.
  • Thomas WOZNIAK

    Thomas WOZNIAK over 6 years ago

    Hi, how can we check the finalist February 1st ?

    Thomas WOZNIAK has uploaded 37 CAD models & has left 21 comments.
  • Ridwan Sept

    Ridwan Sept over 6 years ago

    good luck for every one

    Ridwan Sept has uploaded 220 CAD models & has left 1659 comments.
  • Michael Dimou

    Michael Dimou over 6 years ago

    Good luck guys!!!! Let’s make it happen

    Michael Dimou has uploaded 20 CAD models & has left 38 comments.
  • Matt Firmani

    Matt Firmani over 6 years ago

    Hey everyone!

    @Thomas The challenge finalists will be revealed on this page in just a couple of days. Please stay tuned!

    Matt Firmani has uploaded 3 CAD models & has left 36 comments.
  • Yohann Panthakee

    Yohann Panthakee over 6 years ago

    when will the challenge finalists be released today??

    Yohann Panthakee has uploaded 50 CAD models & has left 103 comments.
  • Valentino Les

    Valentino Les over 6 years ago

    Finalists???

    Valentino Les has uploaded 106 CAD models & has left 173 comments.
  • Michael Dimou

    Michael Dimou over 6 years ago

    Any update???

    Michael Dimou has uploaded 20 CAD models & has left 38 comments.
  • Davda Vinay

    Davda Vinay over 6 years ago

    when will the challenge finalists be released ?

    Davda Vinay has uploaded 8 CAD models & has left 8 comments.
  • RAMAZAN SARI

    RAMAZAN SARI over 6 years ago

    Finalists???

    RAMAZAN SARI has uploaded 272 CAD models & has left 95 comments.
  • Kesa

    Kesa over 6 years ago

    Finalist will be announced later today.

    Kesa has uploaded 3 CAD models & has left 211 comments.
  • Ridwan Sept

    Ridwan Sept over 6 years ago

    congratulations for all finalist good luck

    Ridwan Sept has uploaded 220 CAD models & has left 1659 comments.
  • KADen

    KADen over 6 years ago

    Congrats, finalists on your great models, can't wait to see who wins.

    KADen has uploaded 1 CAD models & has left 4 comments.
  • MAB ( Mehmet )

    MAB ( Mehmet ) over 6 years ago

    secomd would be
    Femur 3D_Printed
    Anuj Malviya

    MAB ( Mehmet ) has uploaded 11852 CAD models & has left 29817 comments.
  • Anuj Malviya

    Anuj Malviya over 6 years ago

    Even I felt the same, @MAB ( Mehmet )
    They Made the decision, either without the sense or in Hurry burry.

    Anuj Malviya has uploaded 27 CAD models & has left 66 comments.
  • MAB ( Mehmet )

    MAB ( Mehmet ) over 6 years ago

    my numberONE is
    Patient-Specific Implants
    Tasos Lazaridis

    MAB ( Mehmet ) has uploaded 11852 CAD models & has left 29817 comments.
  • MAB ( Mehmet )

    MAB ( Mehmet ) over 6 years ago

    NO MORE CHALLENGE İN GRABCAD FOR ME

    MAB ( Mehmet ) has uploaded 11852 CAD models & has left 29817 comments.
  • Matt Firmani

    Matt Firmani over 6 years ago

    That's a wrap, everyone! We would like to thank all of you who participated in the Stratasys "Make It Real" Challenge.

    After another round of deliberations, our judges have chosen three models as our winners.

    Congratulations to Marti Sola, Jack Stubbs and Paolo Minetola! We want to offer a very special thank you to our Honorable Mentions, as well as everyone else who participated in this challenge to Make It Real.

    We would love to hear your feedback, so please let us know what you think!

    Matt Firmani has uploaded 3 CAD models & has left 36 comments.
  • Cad Cam

    Cad Cam over 6 years ago

    1. 2. 3.<---There is little design work in these. Seriously a pebble in the first place?
    Higher level plans in the finalists...

    Cad Cam has uploaded 1 CAD models & has left 26 comments.

    • Please log in to add comments.

    Log in
  • Deadline Passed
  • Total entries 200
  • Who’s in the jury?
  • Anirudh Krishnakumar
    GrabCAD
  • Jeff Sullivan
    GrabCAD
  • 7dec4f95
    Managing Editor at Fabbaloo
  • Pat Carey
    Senior Vice President - Stratasys

Have an awesome idea for this competition? Want to win cool prizes? Sign-up now to upload your entries.

Sign up to upload your ideas

Sign up now

Entries (200)

View all entries
We have updated our terms in order to better protect your hard work and keep our challenges running smoothly! To submit your challenge entry, please read and accept the new Challenge Terms and Conditions.

Save Cancel
White Stratasys Logo White GrabCAD Logo
© 2025 Stratasys Inc.
ABOUT US
RESOURCES
Support
SOCIAL
Streamline Pro
Control
Print
Pro
Shop
PARTNERS
COMMUNITY
Contact Us Website Terms of Use Software Terms of Use Privacy policy Trademarks Your Data on GrabCAD
The Computer-Aided Design ("CAD") files and all associated content posted to this website are created, uploaded, managed and owned by third-party users. Each CAD and any associated text, image or data is in no way sponsored by or affiliated with any company, organization or real-world item, product, or good it may purport to portray.