An apparatus or three dimensional (3D) printer is provided for generating a 3D object. The apparatus includes a print chamber and a liquid print matrix such as a photo-curing resin positioned in the print chamber. The apparatus includes an optical assembly focusing light into the print chamber in the form of a real image whose light initiates curing processes for a volume of the liquid print matrix to form the 3D object. The light focused into the print chamber has a wavelength within a wavelength curing range for the photo-curing resin. The real image may be formed using an optical assembly reflecting or redirecting and focusing light reflected from outer surfaces of an existing 3D object. The real image may also be provided in the form of a volumetric image displayed by a volumetric display device displaying planes of a 3D digital model or image of a 3D object.