![]() The file was then moved to a 3D printer, which produced the statue. Those photos were then uploaded into the program and sent via the Internet to an AutoDesk server where they were converted into a 3D file.Ĭlick here for a video demo of AutoDesk 123D Catch To start the process, an AutoDesk employee slowly walked around the statue, taking a series of 50 or 60 photos from different angles. The statue of Buddha, pictured above, was printed and rendered into plastic using AutoDesk's new program called 123D Catch and a 3D printer. The better the printer, the more resolution- that is, detail - the object will contain. I'll give you the highlights of my 90-minute visit with AutoDesk to talk about 3D printing, but I'd urge you to visit the company's Web site (and the links I provide below) to find out more.ģD printers are similar to inkjet printers, but instead of depositing ink on a page, they create three-dimensional objects by laying down successive layers of liquid plastic, powdered metal or other materials on top of a base. And best of all, the software is free, and if you don't have a 3D printer (who does?) you can upload the files you create to an AutoDesk partner, which will give you a cost estimate and then manufacture and ship as many of the objects as you want.Īctually, 3D printers have gotten a lot cheaper the folks at AutoDesk told me you can buy one for as little as $1000, but I assume you won't run out and acquire one right away. Now it's coming to your desktop, courtesy of AutoDesk, a developer of sophisticated software known as CAD (computer-aided design).ĪutoDesk this week launched two impressive software applications: One allows you to convert a picture (actually a whole bunch of pictures) into a digital file that can be printed as a solid plastic or metal model, while the other is used to convert a computer model into a sort of three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle made of cardboard or other materials. The technology has been around for more than a decade, but it's always been the realm of industrial designers and manufacturers that could spend tens - even hundreds - of thousands of dollars on printers the size of refrigerators. It is quite intuitive, but while the interface hasn’t changed and those who struggled with it may still desire a model tree and complex UI elements, I’m happy to report that 123D Design 1.1 brings a handful of needed features along with a noticeable reduction in lag.You've probably heard about 3D printing, a way of converting a computer file into a solid, physical object using a specially designed printer. Initially, 123D Design fell a bit flat, with Autodesk even admitting that “people who had training with professional tools struggled with 123D because it’s designed to be intuitive”. What began as a place to simply download the 123D Design, Catch and Sculpt and Make apps, is now going full-on community share site, with premium membership, a huge chunk of storage space and premium models from the 123D Elite.įirst, let’s talk updates. ![]() The new features are indeed a delight, but the deeper significance of the activity revolving around Autodesk and 123D is the evolution of the site. ![]() Low and behold! The free modeling app from Autodesk that makes many quake with 3D modeling delight has received a point release and upgrade to a lot of the basic fucntionality. ![]()
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