Stable release | 3.2.1 (02.2020) / February 25, 2020 |
---|---|
Operating system | web browser, Windows, macOS, Linux |
Type | 3D modeling software |
License | Proprietary |
Website | 3dslash |
3D Slash is a 3D modeling software application produced by Sylvain Huet.
3D Slash software offers an original and intuitive experience to 3D model easily [1] imitating the stone-cutter and his block : 3D Slash develops its concept on preassembled Cuboid forms of different sizes (from 1 unit up to 1024) according to octree model.
The inspiration for 3D Slash came from kids playing Minecraft and the way they intuitively develop sophisticated 3D models without noticing it. [2] Because of this, 3D Slash uses an octree model where geometry is represented by a tree of deformed cuboid shapes, with curved shapes also being approximated by small cuboids of the octree.
3D Slash is specifically meant for designing 3D printable objects, and its user experience focuses on a "stone-cutter metaphor". As part of this metaphor, it provides an original toolset, including the hammer tool (to remove a cuboid), the trowel (to add a cuboid), the chisel (to remove slices of cuboids), the brush (to set the color of cuboids), and the wood filler (to add a slice of cuboids), among others.
3D Slash is capable of outputting .STL files through its import/export functionality. 3D Slash computes the mesh approximation in terms of an octree's cuboids on import, and the reverse operation for the export: computation of the octree's mesh envelope as triangles.
3D Slash enables community links with the possibility to share, like and re-use 3D designs among members. Printing is directly possible thanks to commercial partnerships.
3D Slash is integrated in various websites. As of January 2017 it is the only STL customization plugin for Thingiverse. [3] It is the only 3D modeling app integrated in GoogleDrive. [4] It is available as a plugin in Onshape. [5]
With 3D Slash, Sylvain Huet was awarded the 2014 Lépine Gold Medal, [6] and two Maker of Merit ribbons at Paris MakerFaire 2014 from the organizer Le FabShop and from Sketchup. [7]
Since its release, the ease of use of 3D Slash has been recognized by various actors from the 3D printing [8] [9] [10] [11] and Education fields. [12] [13]
3D Slash is a user-friendly 3D modeling software designed to make 3D design accessible, fun, and easy to use. Created with the goal of simplifying 3D modeling, the software employs a unique interface resembling a building game, making it intuitive for beginners to create 3D models [14] . The idea was to provide an engaging way for both children and adults to learn and enjoy 3D design.
One of the main challenges in developing 3D Slash was balancing simplicity with functionality. The developers needed to ensure the software was user-friendly enough for beginners while still offering advanced features for more experienced users [15] . Additionally, integrating offline and online synchronization capabilities posed a technical challenge.
Today, 3D Slash is widely used in various fields. It's popular in educational settings, helping students learn about 3D printing and modeling [14] . It's also utilized by hobbyists, small businesses, and professionals in fields such as architecture and jewelry design. The software's ability to import and modify existing 3D files makes it a versatile tool for a wide range of projects [15] .
The software starts from a primary cuboid (i.e. including form) and manages the related arborescence in which each cuboid is either full, either empty or subdivided in 8 cuboids. An arbitrary color can be attached to any full cuboid. The octree model enables the software to implicitly define the level of details (LOD) by cutting the octree according to an arbitrary depth.
3D Slash is written in Metal, a functional language designed by Sylvain Huet in 2003. [16] [17]
3D Slash is available for Windows, MacOS and Linux. A special version is also available for Raspberry Pi [18] An Android version is available on the Sqool, a French tablet for education. [19]
3D Slash is also available as a web app on any webGL browser including iOS and Android devices.
As of January 2017, the EULA states that any content created in 3D Slash online or that is uploaded to the community webpages from the offline editor are automatically licensed as Creative Common License BY - NC - SA, unless the premium license subscription is purchased. [20]
TrueSpace was a commercial 3D computer graphics and animation software developed by Caligari Corporation, bought-out by Microsoft. As of May 2009, it was officially discontinued, but with some 'unofficial support' up to February 2010.
Cube 2: Sauerbraten is a first-person shooter released for Microsoft Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, and Mac OS X using OpenGL and SDL.
STL is a file format native to the stereolithography CAD software created by 3D Systems. Chuck Hull, the inventor of stereolithography and 3D Systems’ founder, reports that the file extension is an abbreviation for stereolithography, although it is also referred to as standard triangle language or standard tessellation language.
The table below provides an overview of notable computer-aided design (CAD) software. It does not judge power, ease of use, or other user-experience aspects. The table does not include software that is still in development. For all-purpose 3D programs, see Comparison of 3D computer graphics software. CAD refers to a specific type of drawing and modelling software application that is used for creating designs and technical drawings. These can be 3D drawings or 2D drawings.
MakerBot Industries, LLC was an American desktop 3D printer manufacturer company headquartered in New York City. It was founded in January 2009 by Bre Pettis, Adam Mayer, and Zach "Hoeken" Smith to build on the early progress of the RepRap Project. It was acquired by Stratasys in June 2013. As of April 2016, MakerBot had sold over 100,000 desktop 3D printers worldwide. Between 2009 and 2019, the company released 7 generations of 3D printers, ending with the METHOD and METHOD X. It was at one point the leader of the desktop market with an important presence in the media, but its market share declined over the late 2010s. MakerBot also founded and operated Thingiverse, the largest online 3D printing community and file repository. In August 2022, the company completed a merger with its long-time competitor Ultimaker. The combined company is known as UltiMaker, but retains the MakerBot name for its Sketch line of education-focused 3D printers.
Thingiverse is a website dedicated to the sharing of user-created digital design files. Providing primarily free, open-source hardware designs licensed under the GNU General Public License or Creative Commons licenses, the site allows contributors to select a user license type for the designs that they share. 3D printers, laser cutters, milling machines and many other technologies can be used to physically create the files shared by the users on Thingiverse.
SolveSpace is a free and open-source 2D/3D constraint-based parametric computer-aided design (CAD) software that supports basic 2D and 3D constructive solid geometry modeling.
DEFCAD, Inc. is an American startup that has created a search engine and web portal for designers and hobbyists to find and develop 3D printable and other CAD models online.
MatterHackers is an Orange County-based company founded in 2012 that supplies and sells 3D printing materials and tools. MatterHackers is developing their 3D printer control software, MatterControl.
A 3D printing marketplace is a website where users buy, sell and freely share digital 3D printable files for use on 3D printers. They sometimes also offer the ability to print the models and ship them to customers.
Zortrax is a Polish manufacturer of 3D printers and filaments for SMB market and rapid prototyping for industries, including robotics and automation, architecture, industrial design, engineering, aviation, industrial automation. Zortrax machines work with dedicated software, firmware and filaments.
AstroPrint is a cloud platform and application marketplace designed for consumer 3D printing by 3DaGoGo Inc., a private San Diego–based technology company.
The Prusa i3 is a family of fused deposition modeling 3D printers, manufactured by Czech company Prusa Research under the trademarked name Original Prusa i3. Part of the RepRap project, Prusa i3 printers were called the most used 3D printer in the world in 2016. The first Prusa i3 was designed by Josef Průša in 2012, and was released as a commercial kit product in 2015. The latest model is available in both kit and factory assembled versions. The Prusa i3's comparable low cost and ease of construction and modification made it popular in education and with hobbyists and professionals, with the Prusa i3 model MK2 printer receiving several awards in 2016.
Onshape is a computer-aided design (CAD) software system, delivered over the Internet via a software as a service (SaaS) model. It makes extensive use of cloud computing, with compute-intensive processing and rendering performed on Internet-based servers, and users are able to interact with the system via a web browser or the iOS and Android apps. As a SaaS system, Onshape upgrades are released directly to the web interface, and the software does not require maintenance by the user.
The Game Creators Ltd is a British software house based in Macclesfield, Cheshire, England, which specialises in software for video game development, originally for the Microsoft Windows platform. The company was established in March 1999 through a partnership between programmers Lee Bamber and Richard Vanner, who were joined by Meash Meakin in 2011 and Deborah Ascott-Jones in 2013.
Cura is an open source slicing application for 3D printers. It was created by David Braam who was later employed by Ultimaker, a 3D printer manufacturing company, to maintain the software. Cura is available under LGPLv3 license. Cura was initially released under the open source Affero General Public License version 3, but on 28 September 2017 the license was changed to LGPLv3. This change allowed for more integration with third-party CAD applications. Development is hosted on GitHub. Ultimaker Cura is used by over one million users worldwide and handles 1.4 million print jobs per week. It is the preferred 3D printing software for Ultimaker 3D printers, but it can be used with other printers as well.
Tinkercad is a free-of-charge, online 3D modeling program that runs in a web browser. Since it became available in 2011 it has become a popular platform for creating models for 3D printing as well as an entry-level introduction to constructive solid geometry in schools.
Cults is a 3D printing marketplace allowing designers, makers and other users to share free and paid models meant for 3D printing. It is also a social network where 3D printing enthusiasts can interact. In March 2023, the Cults community had nearly 8.2 million members, including nearly 123,000 designers and 1.2 million 3D models to download for 3D printing, laser cutting or CNC machining.