Computation Of Net Income Per Share (Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Reconciliation) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Net income available to 3D Systems common stockholders: numerator for basic net income per share									$ 35,420		$ 19,566		$ 1,066
Stock options, other equity compensation, convertible redeemable preferred stock and debentures
Net income available to 3D Systems common stockholders: numerator for dilutive net income per share									$ 35,420		$ 19,566		$ 1,066
Denominator for basic net income per share: weighted average shares									49,748		46,168		45,088
Stock options, other equity compensation, convertible redeemable preferred stock and debentures									975		760		122
Denominator for dilutive net income per share									50,723	[1]	46,928	[1]	45,210	[1]
Basic net income per share	$ 0.16	$ 0.14	$ 0.27	$ 0.14	$ 0.20	$ 0.12	$ 0.06	$ 0.04	$ 0.71		$ 0.42		$ 0.02
Diluted net income per share	$ 0.16	$ 0.14	$ 0.26	$ 0.14	$ 0.20	$ 0.11	$ 0.06	$ 0.04	$ 0.70		$ 0.42		$ 0.02
Stock Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive shares													708

[1] (1) The average outstanding diluted shares calculation excludes options covering 708 shares in 2009 with an exercise price that exceeds the average market price of shares during the period, since the effect of their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive resulting in a reduction to the net earnings per share. The average outstanding diluted shares calculation also excludes shares that may be issued upon conversion of the outstanding senior convertible notes because their conversion price exceeded the market price of the shares at December 31, 2011.