Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
3D printout of a solid model of a turbojet engine modeled using Autodesk Inventor
Today there are two major categories of design software available for 3D
printing. The irst category of design software, called “solid modeling,” is used
by engineers and industrial designers. It offers users a ready-made library
of cubes, cylinders, spheres, and other standard physical shapes that can be
cut, stretched, and combined with a few clicks of the mouse. The ready-made
collection of shapes is intended to jump-start the design process. From there,
users tweak and adapt these basic building blocks of pre-set shapes into a
unique design.
The second major type of design software is called “surface modeling.”
Surface modeling software got its start with cartoon animators and, more
recently, video games and graphics companies. Surface modeling software
works wonderfully in cases when a cartoon character or imaginary world
can't be adequately captured by retroitting an out-of-box provided library of
basic shapes.
