Despite a booming third quarter -- and year, for that matter -- 3D Systems (DDD 0.57%), the world's largest pure-play 3-D printing specialist, actually lowered its earnings guidance for 2013. That's not because the company is facing an unexpectedly tough business climate; quite the opposite. Seeing a number of opportunities in the fast-growing 3-D printing market, 3D Systems decided to prioritize growing its market share, as well as the market, over hitting its earnings estimate.

That means that 3D Systems will take money originally expected to be recognized as pure profit and plow it into investments in research and development, marketing, sales, and manufacturing capacity. In the following video, Fool contributor Daniel Ferry discusses what these developments mean for 3D Systems and its investors.