Nov.23, 2013
Autodesk has brought up two new products recently, one is Project Miller, another is Project Shapeshifter.
Project Shapeshifter a web-based topological modeling tool for anyone that wants to create 3D printable objects in a simple way. It allows you to create geometry easily in your web browser using available base shapes and sliders.
Project Shapeshifter is built on top of a 3D Patterning Engine which offers an alternative approach to generative design, avoiding scripting of any kind. The commands (design operations) used throughout a design sequence are captured separately from the object geometry, allowing repeat, alter, or apply to any given mesh object. The commands pattern includes a parametric object builder, subdivisions, transformations, offsets, and population information. Shapeshifter technology offers a simple slider based interface for shaping a 3D mesh object parametrically based on a selected topology. The 3D mesh object is automatically converted to a cellular shell where each cell can be populated with a selected component to form a 3D pattern. The populated mesh can be exported as .obj file for 3D printing locally or through a 3D printing portal online.
It is really cool, playful and easy to use. Here is a video showing the basic of Shapeshifter and the other showing advanced controls.
The Project Shapeshifter is handy for creating some complex 3D printable models quickly. With a simple tweak of sliders, you can control the object's shape and select a 3D pattern that wraps around it. The simple and straightforward approach of Shapeshifter allows creating complex models for 3D Printing directly from the web browser.
Features:
- Parametric Mesh Builder with more than 20 Degrees of Freedom
- More than 30 pattern components
- Share your design as a URL
- Export design for fabrication (.obj file)
The other 3D printing-related project is Project Miller, which we have introduced earlier here. This is a tool for preparing 3D models for printing: you can preview, optimize and validate your design before you print it.
The two platforms have a little connection: You can load the .OBJ file created in Project Shapeshifter into Project Miller and use the provided controls to re-wrap the surface or section the model. But to use several advanced simulation tools you need a CAD model for that.
Project Miller is developed to improve results with 3D printing. Like the ultimate Print Preview, Miller enables you to inspect your model, visualize how it will print, and identify problems in advance.
Both projects are only on the labs for a little while. Project Shapeshifter and Project Miller preview are available until January 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 respectively. So get them while you can to try out.
Posted in 3D Design
Maybe you also like:
- Make a Nexus 4 dock on a Makerbot Replicator
- 3D printing market in Japan: 7.7 billion yen by 2015
- Are 3D printing stocks overvalued? 3D Systems, Stratasys plunge
- Falling cost of 3D printers leads to rise in personalised sex toys
- 3D printing company ExOne announces terms for its $75 million IPO
- 3D printed Batman, Superman, Transformer bottle opener rings
- China may become a major 3D printing market for Stratasys
- Award-winning project: Low-cost, 3D printable prosthetic hand (video)
- Homemade 3D printed Mario
- Thinking like Archimedes with a 3D printer
- Building a 3D printer that can print two objects at once
- First 3d Printing Store in Colorado
- Egyptian Mummy's Elaborate Hairstyle Revealed with CT scanning and 3D printing
- Pez Hacking: customised Pez sweet dispensers with 3D-printed heads
Thanks for helping to get the word out about Project Shapeshifter.
3Ders.org provides the latest news about 3D printing technology and 3D printers. We are now seven years old and have around 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
