Art of the Day: Obama is First President to Have 3D-Printed Portrait

Earlier this year, a team of Smithsonian-led 3D digital imaging specialists scanned President Obama and then sculpted his bust using a 3D printer.

It is the first 3D portrait of a United States President.

From Smithsonian:

For the 1:1 bust, in a process called Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), a laser melted nylon powder into a highly accurate and durable print. Given the size of print (the bust stands 19 inches tall, and weighs almost 13 pounds), the printing process took 42 hours, after which the print cooled down for 24 hours.

The White House has now released a behind-the-scenes video of the process, and you can check out the bust in person in the Smithsonian Castle where it is on display for the public Dec. 2-31.