Microsoft have released a new 3D design application for Windows phones. The 3D builder app allows users to scan, view, personalize and print 3D models. Furthermore, the app can make use of your camera in order to create digital 3D models from real objects, as seen below. While the desktop app has been available for some time, this is the first version for mobile devices. This announcement comes shortly after Paint 3D, the 3D version of the famous Paint application, has been given an initial release.
Features of the mobile application include: a smoothing and simplifying tool, automatic repair model function, and the ability to drag and drop to build simple shapes. Moreover, the application supports 3MF, STL, OBJ, PLY, and WRL (VRML) files. According to Microsoft “3D Builder provides everything you need to make any 3D content printable.”
Microsoft 3D builder is not dependent on the user having a 3D printer. The designs created can be sent to Materialise for printing via the app itself. Allowing the user to quickly send designs to a third party and get them printed at a high quality standard. However, if you don’t have a 3D printer, or don’t want to use a 3D printing service, Microsoft does enable images of the designs to be printed in 2D on paper. 3D builder for Windows phones joins an array of mobile 3D design apps, including Autodesk’s Fusion 360 & 123D Catch and Scann3D. The Scann3D app in particular makes the process of capturing images and generating a mesh relatively straightforward.
Also now in its beta testing phase is the WeDesign tool where a growing community of users are collaborating on the free desktop app to create some fascinating remixed designs. WeDesign can be accessed here.
Microsoft has also been in the news recently with news relating to their new HoloLens. The device which allows users to view 3D imagery in mixed reality has been used by Brazilian Doctors during spine surgery.
Featured image shows 3D builder user interface. Image via Microsoft.
