3DBenchy, a widely recognized 3D model used for testing and benchmarking desktop 3D printers, has been transitioned into the public domain. Originally released on April 9, 2015, by Creative Toolsa company known for its innovative digital design solutionsthis model has long served as a practical tool for assessing printer performance. In 2024, after Creative Tools was acquired by NTI, a full-service supplier of digital solutions across construction, design, manufacturing, and media & entertainment, the decision was made to open 3DBenchy to the public. Marking its 10th anniversary, NTIs move to eliminate usage restrictions reinforces the models role as a standardized tool for the 3D printing community.Daniel Nore withj a giant 3DBenchy. Photo via NTI.Daniel Nore, the original designer at Creative Tools, created 3DBenchy as a precise calibration tool for 3D printers. Under the guidance of Paulo KiefeCreative Tools CEO until 20183DBenchy was introduced under a Creative Commons: No Derivatives license. This license was intended to protect the model from modifications, ensuring consistency in performance testing. Despite these restrictions, the models design quickly became a cultural touchstone. The 3D printing community not only adopted the software as a benchmarking standard but also informally circulated various iterations, even while the licensing terms remained in place. The absence of active enforcement by Creative Tools allowed these variations to proliferate, contributing to 3DBenchys iconic status in the field.In early 2025, speculation began circulating when reports surfaced that Printables, a platform for sharing 3D designs, was removing 3DBenchy remixes. Prusa Research, the company behind Printables, later clarified a third-party report had triggered the removal, not NTI. Statements from NTI indicated no intent to restrict downloads or derivatives, but the incident underscored 3DBenchys enduring significance. Anticipation builds as the software approaches its tenth anniversary on April 9, 2025; Daniel Nore and Paulo Kiefe have assumed responsibility for managing the official website and social media channels, ensuring that the models legacy remains anchored in open access.Neon 3D Benchy boats by Javen Wilson of Mosaic Manufacturing. Photo via 3DBenchy.Advances in 3D Software and AI-Driven DesignBackflip, an AI startup founded by Greg Mark and David Benhaimveterans from industrial 3D printer manufacturer Markforgedhas introduced a new tool that converts text and image prompts into 3D models. With $30 million in funding from venture capital firms NEA and Andreessen Horowitz, Backflips platform promises to reduce the design cycle dramatically. The tools underlying technology leverages novel neural representations, which reportedly allow up to 60x more efficient training, 10x faster inference, and a spatial resolution increase of 100-fold over earlier methods.Tencent, a Chinese technology conglomerate, has also made strides in 3D software with the unveiling of Hunyuan3D 2.0. This AI-powered tool employs a dual-model approach: Hunyuan3D-DiT focuses on generating high-resolution geometry while Hunyuan3D-Paint applies realistic textures through diffusion models and geometric priors. Internal evaluations indicate that this decoupled system achieves lower Condition-Model Matching Distance (CMMD) and Frchet Inception Distance (FID) values compared to competing solutions. Hunyuan3D-Studio, a companion interface, further facilitates tasks such as sketch-to-3D conversion and simplified polygon output, thereby addressing common bottlenecks in animation and rapid prototyping workflows.An object created from 3D models generated in Backflip using text and image prompts. Photo via Backflip.Ready to discover who won the 20243D Printing Industry Awards?What will the future of 3D printing look like?Which recent trends are driving the 3D printing industry, as highlighted by experts?Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to stay updated with the latest news and insights.Stay connected with the latest in 3D printing by following us on Twitter and Facebook, and dont forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry YouTube channel for more exclusive content.Featured image shows Neon 3D Benchy boats by Javen Wilson of Mosaic Manufacturing. Photo via 3DBenchy.