Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation (Policies)	Sep. 30, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Standards In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting” (“ASU 2017-09”), in an effort to reduce diversity and clarify what constitutes a modification, as it relates to the change in terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. According to ASU 2017-09, the Company should account for the effects of a modification unless all of the following are met: (1) the fair value of the modified award is the same as the fair value of the original award immediately before the original award is modified, (2) the vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified, and (3) the classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. The amendments in ASU 2017-09 are effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2017-09 beginning January 1, 2018 and the implementation of this guidance did not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, “Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost” (“ASU 2017-07”), which standardizes the presentation of net benefit cost in the income statement and on the components eligible for capitalization in assets. ASU 2017-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods. The amendments in ASU 2017-07 should be applied retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost in the income statement and prospectively, on and after the effective date, for the capitalization of the service cost component of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit in assets. The Company adopted ASU 2017-07 in the first quarter of 2018 and the implementation of this guidance did not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements. On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” The standard outlines a five-step model whereby revenue is recognized as performance obligations within a contract are satisfied. The standard also requires new, expanded disclosures regarding revenue recognition. The Company adopted the standard using the modified retrospective transition method and applied its guidance to contracts not completed at the adoption date. The cumulative effect of initial adoption was recorded as a $576 decrease to the January 1, 2018 opening Accumulated Deficit balance and driven primarily by the timing of recognition related to marketing incentives. The effect of this adoption was immaterial to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and the Company does not expect a material effect to its Consolidated Financial Statements on an ongoing basis. Information for comparative periods has not been restated and continues to be reported under the previously applicable revenue accounting guidance ("ASC 605"). Had ASC 605 been applied to the first nine months of 2018, the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss would have shown increased Revenue and a decrease in Net Loss Attributable to 3D Systems Corporation of $327. On the Consolidated Balance Sheets, Other Assets would have been $466 lower, Deferred Revenues would have been $217 lower and the Accumulated Deficit would have increased by $249. Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, "Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income" (ASU 2018-02), which provides companies with an option to reclassify stranded tax effects resulting from the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. ASU 2018-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating when it will adopt ASU 2018-02 and its impact on its consolidated financial statements. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities” (“ASU 2017-12”), in order to create more transparency around how economic results are presented within both the financial statements and in the footnotes and to better align the results of cash flow and fair value hedge accounting with risk management activities. ASU 2017-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating when it will adopt ASU 2017-12 and its impact on its consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” (“ASU 2017-04”), which eliminates the performance of Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. In performing its annual or interim impairment testing, an entity will instead compare the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognize any impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. Additionally, an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating when it will adopt ASU 2017-04 and its impact on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than twelve months. The ASU also requires disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements. ASU 2016-02 is effective on January 1, 2019, using a modified retrospective method of adoption. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, “Targeted Improvements to ASC 842”, which includes an option to not restate comparative periods in transition and elect to use the effective date of ASC Topic 842, “Leases," as the date of initial application of transition. Based on the effective date, this guidance will apply and the Company will adopt this ASU beginning on January 1, 2019 and plans to elect the transition option provided under ASU 2018-11 and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. The Company expects to apply the package of practical expedients that allows it to avoid the reassessment of: (1) whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, (2) lease classification for any expired or existing leases and (3) initial direct costs for any expired or existing leases. The Company also expects to use the practical expedient that allows it to treat the lease and non-lease components of its leases as a single component for its real estate leases. The Company is reviewing its population of leased assets to determine potential impacts on its consolidated financial statements. The Company is also in the process of evaluating adjustments to business processes, systems and controls to support lease accounting and disclosures under ASC Topic 842. Though its evaluation is ongoing, the Company expects a significant change to the balance sheet due to the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities primarily related to its real estate leases, but it does not anticipate material impacts to its results of operations or liquidity. No other new accounting pronouncements, issued or effective during 2018, have had or are expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Revenue is recognized when control of the promised products or services is transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for those products or services. The Company enters into contracts that can include various combinations of products and services, which are generally capable of being distinct and accounted for as separate performance obligations. Many of its contracts with customers include multiple performance obligations. For such arrangements, the Company allocates revenue to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price (“SSP”). Revenue is recognized net of allowances for returns and any taxes collected from customers, which are subsequently remitted to governmental authorities. The amount of consideration received and revenue recognized may vary based on changes in marketing incentive programs offered to our customers. The Company's marketing incentive programs take many forms, including volume discounts, trade-in allowances, rebates and other discounts. A majority of the Company’s revenue is recognized at the point in time when products are shipped or services are delivered to customers. Please see below for further discussion. Hardware and Materials Revenue from hardware and material sales is recognized when control has transferred to the customer which typically occurs when the goods have been shipped to the customer, risk of loss has transferred to the customer and the Company has a present right to payment for the hardware. In limited circumstances when a printer or other hardware sales include substantive customer acceptance provisions, revenue is recognized either when customer acceptance has been obtained, customer acceptance provisions have lapsed, or the Company has objective evidence that the criteria specified in the customer acceptance provisions have been satisfied. Software The Company also markets and sells software tools that enable our customers to capture and customize content using our printers, as well as reverse engineering and inspection software. Software does not require significant modification or customization and the license provides the customer with a right to use the software as it exists when made available. Revenue from these software licenses is recognized either upon delivery of the product or of a key code which allows the customer to download the software. Customers may purchase post-sale support. Generally, the first year is included but subsequent years are optional. This optional support is considered a separate obligation from the software and is deferred at the time of sale and subsequently recognized ratably over future periods. Services The Company offers training, installation and non-contract maintenance services for its products. Additionally, the Company offers maintenance contracts customers can purchase at their option. For maintenance contracts, revenue is deferred at the time of sale based on the stand-alone selling prices of these services and costs are expensed as incurred. Deferred revenue is recognized ratably over the term of the maintenance period on a straight-line basis. Revenue from training, installation and non-contract maintenance services is recognized at the time of performance of the service. On demand manufacturing and healthcare service sales are included within services revenue and revenue is recognized upon shipment or delivery of the parts or performance of the service, based on the terms of the arrangement. Terms of sale Shipping and handling activities are treated as fulfillment costs rather than as an additional promised service. The Company accrues the costs of shipping and handling when the related revenue is recognized. Costs incurred by the Company associated with shipping and handling are included in product cost of sales. Credit is extended, and creditworthiness is determined, based on an evaluation of each customer’s financial condition. New customers are generally required to complete a credit application and provide references and bank information to facilitate an analysis of creditworthiness. Customers with a favorable profile may receive credit terms that differ from the Company’s general credit terms. Creditworthiness is considered, among other things, in evaluating the Company’s relationship with customers with past due balances. The Company’s terms of sale generally provide payment terms that are customary in the countries where it transacts business. To reduce credit risk in connection with certain sales, the Company may, depending upon the circumstances, require significant deposits or payment in full prior to shipment. For maintenance services, the Company either bills customers on a time-and-materials basis or sells maintenance contracts that provide for payment in advance on either an annual or other periodic basis. See Note 12 for additional information related to revenue by reportable segment and major lines of business. Significant Judgments The Company’s contracts with customers often include promises to transfer multiple products and services to a customer. For such arrangements, the Company allocates revenues to each performance obligation based on its relative SSP. Judgment is required to determine the SSP for each distinct performance obligation in a contract. For the majority of items, the Company estimates SSP using historical transaction data. The Company uses a range of amounts to estimate SSP when we sell each of the products and services separately and need to determine whether there is a discount to be allocated based on the relative SSP of the various products and services. In instances where SSP is not directly observable, such as when the product or service is not sold separately, the Company determines the SSP using information that may include market conditions and other observable inputs. In some circumstances, the Company has more than one SSP for individual products and services due to the stratification of those products and services by customers, geographic region or other factors. In these instances, it may use information such as the size of the customer and geographic region in determining the SSP. The determination of SSP is an ongoing process and information is reviewed regularly in order to ensure SSP reflects the most current information or trends. The nature of the Company’s marketing incentives may lead to consideration that is variable. Judgment is exercised at contract inception to determine the most likely outcome of the contract and resulting transaction price. Ongoing assessments are performed to determine if updates are needed to the original estimates. Contract Balances The timing of revenue recognition, billings and cash collections results in billed accounts receivable, unbilled receivables (contract assets), and customer deposits and deferred revenues (contract liabilities) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers. The Company records a receivable when revenue is recognized at the time of invoicing, or unbilled receivables when revenue is recognized prior to invoicing. For most of the Company’s contracts, customers are invoiced when products are shipped or when services are performed resulting in billed accounts receivables for the remainder of the owed contract price. Unbilled receivables generally result from items being shipped where the customer has not been charged, but for which revenue had been recognized. In the Company’s on demand manufacturing business, customers may be required to pay in full before work begins on their orders, resulting in customer deposits. The Company typically bills in advance for installation, training and maintenance contracts as well as extended warranties, resulting in deferred revenue. Changes in contract asset and liability balances were not materially impacted by any other factors for the period ended September 30, 2018. Through September 30, 2018, the Company recognized revenue of $33,596 related to our contract liabilities at January 1, 2018. Practical Expedients and Exemptions The Company generally expenses sales commissions when incurred because the amortization period would be one year or less. These costs are recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses.
Fair Value Measurements	ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs that may be used to measure fair value: Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 - Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; or Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. For the Company, the above standard applies to cash equivalents and earnout consideration. The Company utilizes the market approach to measure fair value for its financial assets and liabilities. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.