News update
Geomagic has released two new versions of software from its Sensable Group’s 3D modelling product lines – Freeform v12 SP2 and Claytools v4. These new releases are the first since Geomagic’s April 2012 acquisition of Sensable Technologies, Inc., and the Freeform Plus release is the first instance of incorporating Geomagic technology into a Sensable 3D modelling product.
Freeform v12 SP2 is an update release to v12 which shipped earlier this year with key features and usability enhancements that allow customers to reportedly save significant time and effort when designing highly detailed and complex organic models. It adds support for 3D Connexion’s SpacePilot Pro and SpaceMouse Pro, which can be used in addition to Sensable’s force feedback haptic device, to allow for enhanced 3D manipulation. Additionally, Freeform Plus users now have advanced auto-surfacing capabilities, incorporated from Geomagic Studio. Autosurfacing is used to convert Freeform’s voxel or polygonal models into solid and surface models, so they can be imported into traditional CAD engineering programs such as Dassault’s SolidWorks, PTC’s Creo, or into CAM products for tool path generation.
"I am impressed with the way that Geomagic's surfacing capabilities are now incorporated into Freeform Plus," said Nancy Hairston, principal of SculptCAD in Dallas, Texas. "This combines the industry's best surfacing product with the world's best organic sculpting product. It's fast and produces excellent results, especially on thin objects and highly detailed areas which can be difficult to handle." She added, "It's a fantastic combination making Freeform that much stronger and efficient. We look forward to seeing additional integration of the Sensable and Geomagic products lines moving forward."
ClayTools v4 is an exciting new release of the organic 3D modelling software targeted at sculptors, prototypers, model makers, jewelry designers and digital content creators. New features make it even easier to achieve complex, organic designs, including:
- Curve Spheres – replicating the sculptor’s real world armature, allows designers and sculptors to quickly create volumetric models controlled by an underlying curve skeleton. Allowing quick volume studies, fast re-posing and base model generation.
- New Mesh tools, such as Mesh Division, allow a toy designer, for example, to take an animated character model that is highly faceted, and in 1 or 2 clicks replace the facets with a smooth surface ready for production.
- Paint – ability to paint models and project or map imported images onto models
- Enhanced Carving tools, a new Pipe tool, improved capabilities for modelling with curves
- Hot Wax Tool – replicating more subtle techniques, this allows sculptors to gain a finer control when sculpting, as well as combining multiple tools into one for a faster, more natural workflow.
“We are creating new ways of working — where previously impossible tasks are now possible, and new technologies are changing the way products are created and manufactured,” said Joan Lockhart, vice president of sales and marketing, Geomagic Sensable Group. “Products like Freeform and Claytools make it faster and easier to design great products digitally – freed from the constraints of conventional CAD – and produce them using new additive fabrication methods, or just as easily import them into traditional CAD/CAM formats when needed.”
Both versions are currently shipping on new products and available to customers on active maintenance contracts through their reseller channels.
Find out more about Geomagic and its Freeform and Claytools products at www.geomagic.com and www.sensable.com.
