Create pixelated, 3D printable miniatures with new app Leblox

Feb.21, 2014

Created by Paris-based Mathieu Lecoupeur and Soy Phompraseuth, LEBLOX is a new app that allows you to digitally build a pixelized version of almost anything that are then 3D-printed and delivered to your door.

Users of the app will have three ways to enjoy LEBLOX:

1. First, you can create your own 3D pixelated avatars in a way similar to the popular Bitstrips comics.

2. Second, you can take a photo or choose an existing one from your library and transform it into a flat, pixelized version.

3. Third, you'll be able to order a 3D print of anything you create digitally and also browse through and print any published designs.

The LEBLOX app also allows users to view and comment on each other's creations.

The two creators said that the inspiration behind the app was the 2010 short film 'Pixels' created by fellow Frenchman Patrick Jean, in which 8-bit video game characters take over New York after escaping from a discarded television set.

"Our goal is to gather all 'pixel art,' everything from great designers to the casual user," explains Phompraseuth. "Because once a user publishes a Blox, everyone can 3D print it." This is where the social aspect kicks in—you'll be able to follow friends and they can, say, comment on that pixelized badge of your cat Snuffles or that tribute to "Super Mario Bros. 3."

The 3D prints will take about a week to ship to a French address. The process will take longer for international users since LEBLOX's 3D printing partner FabZat.com is based in France. But the company says it will arrange a U.S. partner soon.

Lecoupeur and Phompraseuth spent the past year and a half developing LEBLOX and the app is ready to release in March on Apple store.