Autodesk and Instructables has announced a new challenge where you could win a Objet 3D printer or many other great prizes. The Make it Real Challenge involves posting an instructable on how to design something on your computer and making it real using 3D printing, laser cutting or decals. An instructable is a step by step post with instructions to show others how to do or make something. You have until April 30th 2012 to enter this fun digital to analog challenge so get busy.
For all the details check out the challenge page:
http://www.instructables.com/contest/makeitreal/
Also anyone that posts something in the 123D gallery and links to an Instructable could get a nice thank you gift from the Autodesk 123D Team. http://blog.123dapp.com/2012/01/123d-make-it-real-challenge
Now that you own Instructables, may I suggest a policy change for that site? Do you agree that Instructables looks like a kid-friendly site? If so, do you agree that projects involving sado-masochism are not appropriate for it? If so, could you please use your influence to ask them to either remove BDSM projects (they have several), or put a parental warning on their front page, or create an age-restricted area for them. It is hard enough getting kids involved with making stuff, and this is likely to put concerned parents off of letting their kids go there.
Example: http://www.instructables.com/id/Wooden-bondage-suspension-frame/
Does Autodesk really want to be in the business of promoting BDSM to kids?
Brian, The community at Instructables is up to that fairly independant division as they have always been even before Autodesk quired them. If you have concerns, I would suggest you contact them on the Instructables community contact for the site and provide your feedback.
Thank you,
Shaan