Tag: 3D Model

YouTuber Charles Mangin is a big fan of Apple’s classic computers, even the apocalypse in a box known as the Apple III. Last year, Charles designed a Raspberry Pi case based on the disastrous PC. It may not look like much, but it’s actually a physical representation of Charles’ love for Apple (and making).

Microsoft’s Interactive 3D Technologies group recently showed us an example of how HoloLens and 3D scanning technology could revolutionize long distance communication. The group’s Holoportation concept is a supercharged version of video chat, letting you see the other party in life-size 3D in real time.

Hydrographics or water transfer printing lets you apply graphics to objects in one pass. It gives a uniform finish and can be used even with large objects. And watching it is a great timewaster. But it’s not ideal for items with complex shapes, and it can be used to apply only graphics with repeating patterns, because it’s hard to align the film that holds the pattern with the substrate object.

New York University Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP) students Rosalie Yu and Alon Chitayat came up with Skin Deep, an art installation that’s best described as a virtual form of body painting. They made 3D models of themselves then created a program that allowed people to draw on those models in real time.

Last year, LEGO launched Fusion, which are LEGO sets that you build and then import virtually into simple games on your mobile device. LEGO X is the adult version of Fusion. Created by Gravity Research Club – the same group behind the 3D sketching project – LEGO X creates a 3D model of whatever you’re building while you’re building it.

Last month, we learned about Live2D, an application that combines multiple illustrations into one 3D model. Here’s another upcoming time-saving application for animators. Currently in development by Quantum Matrix, Quantum Human is an Autodesk Maya plugin that can turn a static 3D model of a body into a character that you can animate, render or use for motion capture.

3D animations based on illustrations sacrifice a significant amount of quality in their transition from 2D. You can see it in games like Ni No Kuni, Valkyria Chronicles and the Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm series. Their models look great from afar, but you can see they look flat in some areas up close.

Prosthetic legs typically go for several thousands of dollars and stick out because of their robotic appearance. Industrial Design student William Root wanted to address both of those issues with his Exo concept. It’s a prosthetic leg that takes advantage of modern 3D modeling and printing technology.

While most 3D models on Sketchfab are of characters or objects, member Glenatron proves that it can be a great platform to showcase dioramas as well. He recently shared his cute interactive homage to Metal Gear Solid, which depicts scenes from the PlayStation game.

Here’s a seemingly no-brainer for 3D printing enthusiasts. If you’re looking for 3D files to print, your Steam library may already hold the files you seek. YouTuber Angus Deveson of Maker’s Muse recently shared a way to convert the files in Unreal Engine games into printable formats.

We’ve seen a couple of iPad apps that simplify 3D modeling for kids. Mission Street Manufacturing wants to go beyond that and teach children how 3D printers work as well. Its Printeer is designed to be used by kids and K-12 schools.

3D modeling software is often used to visualize and develop concepts – anything from a piece of furniture to a video game. Those programs make it easy to transition from idea to prototype and to refine or duplicate sketches, but they require a lot of practice and training to master.

Google’s Advanced Technology and Projects group (ATAP) recently unveiled Project Tango, a smartphone that lets users make 3D models of their surroundings. ATAP is also working on development APIs that will let developers use those 3D models in apps.

The new PS3 racing game Gran Turismo 6 lets players drive concept cars made expressly by automotive companies and other brands for the game. Honda is one of those companies, but it’s also using a newer form of technology to reach out to its fans.

3D printing can help you create prototypes or mockups quickly. Or should I say relatively quickly – it can take a 3D printer hours to print even moderately-sized objects. To speed things up, students from the Human-Computer Interaction Group at the Hasso Plattner Institute tested adding LEGO to their workflow.

There’s already a Minecraft port for iOS devices, but a new iOS app called Blokify takes the addictive building mechanic of Mojang’s hit game and makes it much easier to get into. Blokify uses simple touch controls and easy access to different cubes, without the hassles of keeping an avatar alive.