May 1, 2017 | By Julia
Mosaic Manufacturing has just launched a new software platform for multi-color, multi-material 3D printing. CANVAS is a free, cloud-based software package that will work with a range of 3D printers, including the BCN3D Sigma, the Ultimaker 3, the soon to be released Prusa i3 MK2 Multi-Material Upgrade, and Mosaic’s own Palette solution.
A common frustration among these desktop 3D printers is what inspired Mosaic to start developing CANVAS in the first place, say its creators. “You may have noticed that the software operating these machines was never designed to create more than a single color, single material part,” explain Mosaic reps.
“All the products above operate off of the dual extruder framework - something that was created as a band-aid solution for a small part of the market. There has never been a software platform designed to allow users to operate these machines in a seamless manner - a platform built for especially for multi-material printing.”
To counter the current slicers for multi-color parts on the market, which are plagued by finicky workflows and counter-intuitive processes, Mosaic designed CANVAS.
The aim was initially to simplify the user experience when 3D printing in different colors and materials. A more intuitive multi-color, multi-material slicer that could create a simpler workflow, decrease print time and waste materials, and increase functionality was at the core of developing CANVAS.
But the software package quickly became much more, say its creators. As a slicer, CANVAS users will be able to efficiently transition between different materials and colours, while also easily painting/colouring .stl files.
As a CAD powered customization tool, however, the new Mosaic software offers a range of additional functionalities. Using cloud modelling, users will be able to customize geometries, materials, aesthetics, and functional properties of their prints, even for those who aren’t advanced CAD designers. In lieu of pre-existing customization tools which lack support for multi-material printing, CANVAS’ customization capabilities promise to support designs ranging from simple to the most complex.
“Our goal with the customization portion of CANVAS extends beyond FDM 3D printing, to bring a customization platform to all forms of digital manufacturing,” say Mosaic representatives. That means a long term goal of “bringing the ability to personalize products to the mass market, and having these products be delivered through a number of manufacturing platforms.”
While not open source, CANVAS was designed according to principles of universal design, its creators say. CANVAS will be compatible with the Ultimaker 3, BCN3D Sigma, and other .gcode/.x3g multi-material 3D printers, as a means of pushing multi-color, multi-material printing as a new industry standard. For now though, as long as the hardware continues to allow for non-proprietary file types, users will be able to use CANVAS.
As of today, CANVAS is launching as an entirely free platform, but Mosaic reports that a pricing structure will be included at a later date. In other words, interested buyers may not want to wait around. Best of luck to Mosaic with this innovative solution, and for the rest of you, happy multi-color, multi-material printing!
Posted in 3D Software
Maybe you also like:
- D3CRYPT3D launches accessible 3D printable file encryption to fight 3D asset theft
- Simplify3D slicing & 3D printing software goes global with new multi-language support
- Microsoft Paint goes 3D, new app will let you 3D print from 'Minecraft'
- MakerOS raises $530K, announces new features and services
- Top 35 3D printing software programs: 3D modeling & 3D slicing software tools
- Encode Ring converts your voice into a stylish 3D printed ring right before your eyes
- Doodle3D Transform easy-to-use 3D design app launches on Kickstarter
- Scientists reconstruct life-size 3D model of 120 million year old Psittacosaurus with its real color patterns
- Yamaha's My Garage App lets you customize your dream bike in 3D all the way to the dealership
- PITT researchers receive $350K to develop fast computational modeling for metal 3D printing
- Autodesk offers free 3D design software to 1000+ Fab Labs globally
- Airwolf 3D launches beta version of new APEX 3D printing software, test it now
I'm curious as to how this is different from the other slicers. I see a lot of "bashing" going on, but there are multiple slicers that support arbitrary amount of extruders.
Jonny (From Mosaic) wrote at 5/1/2017 8:00:35 PM:
Just to clarify, Canvas expects to be released in late 2017!
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.
