CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY - 3 months ended Mar. 31, 2017 - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid In Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Earnings (Deficit) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Total 3D Systems Corporation Stockholders' Equity [Member]	Equity Attributable To Noncontrolling Interests [Member]	Total
Balance, Value at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 115	$ 1,307,428	$ (2,658)	$ (621,787)	$ (53,225)	$ 629,873	$ (3,173)	$ 626,700
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2016	115,113		1,498
Issuance (repurchase) of stock, Value			$ (1,088)			(1,088)		(1,088)
Issuance (repurchase) of stock, Shares	114		133
Issuance of stock for acquisitions, Value		3,208				3,208		3,208
Issuance of stock for acquisitions, Shares	192
Stock-based compensation expense, Value		7,131				7,131		7,131
Stock-based compensation expense, Shares
Net income (loss)				(9,971)		(9,971)	60	(9,911)
Pension adjustment					20	20		20
Foreign currency translation adjustment					8,331	8,331	61	8,392
Balance, Value at Mar. 31, 2017	$ 115	1,307,561	$ (3,746)	(621,552)	(44,874)	637,504	(3,052)	634,452
Balance, Shares at Mar. 31, 2017	115,419		1,631
Cumulative impact of change in accounting policy		$ (10,206)		$ 10,206