www.3ders.org

Oct. 1, 2014

ZMorph, the Polish company behind the low cost multifunctional Zmorph 2.0 3D printer, today launched an updated version of its advanced Voxelizer software, which allows creators to model using 3D pixels rather than triangles (a technique called voxelization).

Voxelizer has been created to enable uses of 3d printers, CNC mills and various types of extruders (chocolate or ceramics for example). Voxelizer is a 'host' software to control your machine and capable of generate gcodes from 3D geometry in a new way. Instead of using triangle based geometry (such as those in STL and OBJ files), it converts it to voxels – making the object consist of small 'boxes' or 'atoms'. Voxelizer allows the modelling of volume as well as shape, making it suitable for printing from medical scans and other uses where volume is an essential property of the printed object.

Voxelizer has been created in-house by ZMorph, but it is compatible with all open-source RepRap 3D printers, including Makerbot and Ultimaker. This also opens up more possibilities beyond just 3D printing, as Voxelizer supports processes like 3D milling and laser cutting - something beyond other software packages.

One of the most exciting features of Voxelizer is its compatibility with DICOM medical imaging techniques, such as MRI (Magnetic Resonance Scanning), which means that 3D prints can be created directly from the scanned data. Because of the ability to incorporate different volumes into the object to be printed, it becomes possible to print both soft and hard tissue (for example, replacement cartilage and bone). This drastically lowers the barrier to entry for rapid and low-cost medical prototyping.

Other new features of Voxelizer include:

• A new UI which makes Voxelizer simpler and easier to work with
• A new engine which makes it x4 faster to voxelize an object
• Manipulating and editing object models using 3D filters such as selective thickening and strengthening - allowing creators to change the properties of an object as well as delivering a better quality printed object
• The ability to import STL files and convert them into voxels - opening up access to other toolheads which require voxel data
• The new software is compatible with both single and dual head extruders for plastic, rubber and nylon
• Custom menu tools for cake, chocolate and ceramics, head for 2D and 3D CNC milling as well as laser cutting

"Our vision at ZMorph is to look beyond just 3D printing technology, and to see how intelligent fabrication can be used to make high-end processes accessible to many more people", said Przemek Jaworski, founder and CEO of ZMorph.

"We have deliberately made our Voxelizer software compatible with a wide range of printers so that as many creators as possible can understand the advantages that voxel modelling can bring to their creations. The other huge advantage it has is that it opens the possibility of using tools like CNC milling and engraving, so that creators are not limited to simple additive printing. We hope that this new version of Voxelizer helps to inspire more people to use these new technologies, and help our community grow".

The software was introduced at TCT Show in Birmingham and is free now, so both Mac and Windows users can download it today from the Voxelizer website.

Posted in 3D Software

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