Ed Fries, a former Microsoft vice president who led development of both Word and Excel before creating Microsoft’s Xbox video game group and then founded his own 3D imaging company FingerPrints and his partner Dan Iosch will keynote the Rapid/3D Imaging Conference set for May 18 to 20 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, CA. The conference is a Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) event.

FingerPrints applies 3-D color printing technology to video game characters. Customers include Activision Blizzard, which is responsible for World of WarCraft, an online MMO (massive multiplayer online) played by gamers worldwide.

Rapid/3D Imaging attendees will be able to evaluate the latest materials and machinery, compare processes, talk to industry experts, and network. Event planners are still accepting submissions for speakers who can illustrate the many new uses for additive manufacturing technology. The opportunity to speak has been extended for abstract review and consideration. Those interested in speaking, exhibiting, and/or attending can find more information at sme.org/rapid.