Gaussian Splat 3D Printing: From Photogrammetry to “Splatcubes”

Gaussian splat 3D printing is a creative and hands-on way to bring 3D data into the physical world. While the adoption of 3D Gaussian Splats (3DGS) is driven by highly parallel optimized structure and ability to real-time render, this project highlights a different way of looking at 3DGS. Wyatt Roy has published an innovative project using 3D Gaussian Splats for 3D printing. Roy calls the output, “splatcubes.”

Splatcubes are clear resin cubes that encapsulate a scene built using Gaussian splats. Instead of remaining a digital model, the result becomes a tangible, physical 3D photo that you can pick up and view from any angle. Roy’s process involves scanning a real-world object using photogrammetry, converting that scan into a 3DGS dataset, filtering and transforming the splats, and then printing the result as a resin cube. The project combines Gaussian splat 3D printing with traditional photogrammetry techniques, making it ideal for anyone interested in experimental 3D workflows.

Roy provides a YouTube video, a detailed tutorial, and open-source code so others can follow along. Even if you don’t plan to 3D print a splatcube yourself, the video offers a clear and visual explanation of 3D Gaussian Splatting and how it translates into real-world output. This is an excellent educational examples of Gaussian splat 3D printing available today.