With this piece of the puzzle in place, though, the Imaginators concept makes more sense than ever, and I can certainly see a physical Skylander appealing to series superfans.

Whether you're new to 3D printing or an old hand, ZDNet's 3D Printing and Desktop Fabrication Discovery Series will help you understand and get the most out of these amazing, accessible technologies.

At just $750, MakerBot ‘s CupCake CNC rapid prototyping machine— 3D printing with extruded melted ABS plastic—made me think about it.

3D printers generally print using ABS plastic, which is great for most applications–I mean, they make Legos out of it, after all. When printing thin pieces, however, ABS can be quite brittle ...

In the latest episode of Always On, Sharon Vaknin dives into the world of 3D printing to find out what it takes to print a custom iPhone case.