This is a Second Life avatar, created from one of those rapid prototyping machines I used to dream of owning when I was a kid, I think I first saw one on tomorrows world. It uses a lazer to melt a layer of resin type stuff and builds it up layer by layer, new ones can do it in different colours somehow. I spoke to a guy at a business networking event a few months ago who worked for the university, they had one of these machines and they were trying to come up with business applications for it, I wish I'd had the idea of making and selling avatars from MMPORPGs like Second Life.

Basically what these guys are doing, have a look at their flickr set too.

Becky EnVérité:

I think I read somewhere that there's a company that will do it with World of Warcraft characters. :-)

The technology is really starting to mature now. I think well within our lifetimes copyright of physical things will become an issue when everyone has 3D printers. :-) 

Jessica:

Those guys will do it with any 3D model they can extract 

Anonymous:

Thanks for the mention Jessica. A small correction though: it's not a laser that creates the models, but something more like a 3d inkjet printer. The laser type of rapid prototyping is cool, but can only make figures in one solid color.

Also, we're legally restricted from making World of Warcraft figures. SecondLife's unique (people own their avatars) approach to intellectual property is what led us to start there.

Thanks again,

Michael Buckbee
Fabjectory Founder