CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY - 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, 2015	$ 113	$ 1,279,738	$ (1,026)	$ (583,368)	$ (39,548)	$ 655,909	$ (1,263)	$ 654,646
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2015	113,115		892
Issuance (repurchase) of stock, Value			$ (1,307)			(1,307)		(1,307)
Issuance (repurchase) of stock, Shares	444		492
Stock-based compensation expense, Value		18,893				18,893		18,893
Stock-based compensation expense, Shares
Net income (loss)				(22,436)		(22,436)	(585)	(23,021)
Pension adjustment					36	36		36
Foreign currency translation adjustment					1,239	1,239	46	1,285
Balance, Value at Jun. 30, 2016	$ 113	1,298,631	$ (2,333)	(605,804)	(38,273)	652,334	(1,802)	650,532
Balance, Shares at Jun. 30, 2016	113,559		1,384
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			$ (1,970)			(1,970)		(1,970)
Issuance (repurchase) of stock, Shares	278		204
Issuance of stock for acquisitions, Value		3,208				3,208		3,208
Issuance of stock for acquisitions, Shares	192
Stock-based compensation expense, Value		14,450				14,450		14,450
Stock-based compensation expense, Shares
Net income (loss)				(18,387)		(18,387)	478	(17,909)
Pension adjustment					(81)	(81)		(81)
Foreign currency translation adjustment					20,746	20,746	135	20,881
Balance, Value at Jun. 30, 2017	$ 115	1,314,880	$ (4,628)	(629,968)	(32,560)	647,839	(2,560)	645,279
Balance, Shares at Jun. 30, 2017	115,583		1,702
Cumulative impact of change in accounting policy		$ (10,206)		$ 10,206