3D Systems’ new Cubify Sculpt program offers reasonably simple to use 3D design. Courtesy of 3D Systems.
August 15, 2013
Regardless of how simple a design might be, it requires a fair amount of training or tinkering with CAD programs to build an object. The time investment to learn to use CAD programs properly isn’t worth it for every user, especially most home users. For people designing 3D objects for fun rather than work, the best suite of design tools is one that is simple to learn and easy to use.
3D Systems has launched a new design program intended to fill the needs of average users of the company’s Cube systems. Called Cubify Sculpt, the program starts users with a 3D ball of clay that can be shaped into whatever object the user desires, using a toolset similar to (though hopefully slightly less complex than) Photoshop.
“Cubify Sculpt shifts the 3D modeling tools paradigm, making design for instant 3D printing something everyone can do,” said Rajeev Kulkarni, VP & GM consumer products for 3D Systems. “Our new virtual sculpting experience sets the stage for mainstream users to create and make everyday useful and impactful printables.”
Cubify Sculpt allows users to shape a virtual ball of clay by stretching and shaping it with a mouse and keyboard shortcuts. While some amount of artistic ability might be required to produce fine results, an average user could probably prod the clay into simple shapes. The program also allows users to alter existing .STL files, making Cubify Sculpt useful for building personalized products.
3D Systems’ new program will run on most Windows operating systems, and, other than requiring a minimum screen resolution of 1280 x 1024, requires modest system specs that are easily obtainable for most home users. Cubify Sculpt will cost users a one-time fee of $129 and comes with a 14 day free trial. The Cubify website also features a number of tutorial videos to teach users the basics of the program.
If you’re thinking that Cubify Sculpt sounds like something Geomagic might have produced, you aren’t alone. I can’t be certain that 3D Systems’ acquisition of Geomagic led to this product, but the idea doesn’t seem that farfetched.
Below you’ll find the introductory video for Cubify Sculpt.
Source: 3D Systems
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About the Author
John NewmanJohn Newman is a Digital Engineering contributor who focuses on 3D printing. Contact him via [email protected] and read his posts on Rapid Ready Technology.
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