Jan 27, 2016 | By Kira

VECTARY is a new browser-based tool for 3D modeling that seeks to make even complex 3D printing models achievable for beginner designers by combining standard mesh modeling techniques with parametric plug-ins. Founded by Michal Koor and Pavol Sovis of Slovakia, VECTARY was designed to fill the gap between professional yet complicated 3D modeling software, and entry-level tools that, though easy to learn, have limited features. Ultimately, they hope to make 3D modeling, and in turn, original 3D printing projects, more accessible to everyone.

The basis of every 3D printing project is its corresponding 3D model. For non-designers, there are several great sites to download free STL files for 3D printing, however when it comes to making tailor-made, unique, or case-specific 3D printed objects, creating an original 3D model is often the only way to go, and for that, users need a dedicated 3D modeling tool, and the skill set to use it. Yet despite recent growth in the desktop 3D printing market, many makers still find it difficult to create complex models quickly and efficiently, meaning the industry has yet to reach its full potential.

“We see two main problems,” Michal Koor told 3Ders.org when I asked him about the limitations of existing 3D modeling programs. “One is that in professional software with extended features and tools, you can model anything you want, but for most people it takes weeks to learn how to use it. On the other hand, in simple modeling tools, you are limited in what you can create.” Using a new approach that combines parametric plug-ins with standard mesh modeling, VECTARY aims to fill that gap once and for all.

Standard mesh modeling is the most basic and common 3D modeling technique, in which a 3D object is defined by a mesh—a collection of vertices, edges and faces. Parametric Design, on the other hand, is a 3D modeling process based on algorithmic thinking, in which parameters and rules are established to define, encode and clarify the relationship between design intent and design response. If the parameters are modified, the model is automatically updated to reflect the modification, making it an ideal modeling process for managing complex changes in detailed 3D models.

“In VECTARY, thanks to our simplified interface, we believe that even people without previous experience will be able to start modeling in no time and also will be able to create complex shapes because of its extendability with parametric plug-ins,” said Koor. This combination of standard mesh/subdivision and parametric modeling keeps 3D modeling simple without decreasing the possibilities or the quality of the final 3D models, he added.

According to the developers, he key aspect of VECTARY is its overall simplicity and ease-of-use. “We want to keep our tool as simple as possible, so we came up with many unique solutions to simplify the modeling process.”

For example, because VECTARY is a browser-based tool, models are automatically saved into the cloud without the need for installation or configuration, and they can be accessed from nearly any device. This also creates a user-friendly platform where members can quickly share and rate 3D models, or customize existing 3D models for their own specific needs. “We hope that a large community of makers and designers will use our tool daily to convert their visions into real things,” said Koor.

Though the 3D modeling, customization, and sharing tools are free, acquiring the phsyical 3D printed object will come at a fee. Once the 3D model is ready, VECTARY users will have the option of either ordering their 3D prints directly through a registered VECTARY 3D printing partner service, or they can pay to have their 3D model exported into a 3D printable file. Koor told 3Ders.org that they are currently working with established 3D printing services to develop partnerships.

Both Koor and Sovis have extensive experience in 3D design, 3D graphics and development, with a combined 27 years of knowledge and experience. “As a company, we strongly believe in agility, interoperability and openness”, said Sovis, an entrepreneur with 12 years of experience in software development. “Having twenty years of experience in 3D design, I have come to realize that I will rather spend a short moment to generate a model by moving sliders and fine‐tune it afterwards by standard modeling, than to spend longer time on creating model from scratch in existing tools”, said Koor, who specializes in industrial design, 3D modeling and prototype production. “We are trying to prove that anybody is able to create a 3D model.”

Though VECTARY’s official public launch is set for Spring 2016, interested 3D designers can get early access by subscribing now via the VECTARY website. In the future, the company also plans to open their API so that anyone with programming skills will be able to prepare a custom plug-in and share it with other members. As the at-home 3D printing industry grows, so too will the demand for easy-to-use 3D modeling tools, and VECTARY's unique fusion-based 3D modeling software could present an innovative solution for designers of all levels.

Posted in 3D Software

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FrSn wrote at 1/28/2016 8:48:37 AM:Pay for 3D download the model that I spent hours modeling? I don't think so. I rather prefer pay per month and download it whenever I want. Designers go through many interactions, and having to pay for each one is not great deal. Nevertheless, the promise of a good 3D modeling tool looks amazing. I wish the best for them. I'll give it a try.



