High res 3D objects designed with your iPad

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  • 3D design is becoming alluringly simple

    3D design is becoming alluringly simple

    A new app called Gravity Sketch let's users design in 3D on the iPad with an intuitive and attractive interface.

    Photo by: Guillaume Couche

    Caption by: Greg Nichols

  • The limit is now your imagination

    The limit is now your imagination

    The most fulfilling part of the whole 3D printing concept is that you can dream something up, design it, and then watch it come to life on a print tray in minutes.

    Which is great, except for that design part. Many 3D printers are now push-button simple, so design is the technically challenging portion of the process.

    Photo by: Guillaume Couche

    Caption by: Greg Nichols

  • Direct 3D generation (i.e., no need for beefy CAD software)

    Direct 3D generation (i.e., no need for beefy CAD software)

    The Gravity Sketch app works by "direct 3D generation" on a virtual plane, allowing creators to quickly create complex 3D designs without deep knowledge of CAD software. That's a big claim, as anyone who's taken a crack at complicated CAD software will understand. Autodesk, which is the industry standard, is a stumbling block for many amateurs interested in crafting 3D objects without an engineering background.

    Caption by: Greg Nichols

  • Just like playing Angry Birds!

    Just like playing Angry Birds!

    To me, the coolest thing about the app is that it feels native to the iPad. Everything in the Gravity Sketch app happens in realtime: 3D content is generated under as you move your finger.

    Caption by: Greg Nichols

  • An ecosystem for 3D printable objects

    An ecosystem for 3D printable objects

    It's paint by numbers, advanced design for dummies like me. Once you're done creating, you can order a 3D print straight from the app, delivered by Shapeways.

    Photo by: Guillaume Couche

    Caption by: Greg Nichols

  • Been dreaming of a doodad?

    Been dreaming of a doodad?

    It's a smart integration, and a very cool tool to make that component, invention, or doodad you've been carrying around in the back of your mind. It's also the latest example of an encouraging trend. Ease-of-use is becoming the name of the game in everything from website development (SquareSpace) to architectural rendering (SketchUp).

    Tinkercad from Autodesk is another beginners-friendly 3D design platform, though it's a browser-based platform and it's decidedly less sleek.

    Caption by: Greg Nichols

  • Direct 3D generation v. traditional 3D software

    Direct 3D generation v. traditional 3D software

    "Direct 3D generation is a more intuitive interaction than your traditional 3D software," the company's co-founders said in a statement. "This is because creativity relies more on spatial intelligence, than logical or linguistic intelligences which form the base of most 3D modelling softwares."

    Photo by: Guillaume Couche

    Caption by: Greg Nichols

  • Order a 3D print online

    Order a 3D print online

    Shapeways is a virtual makerspace. Send your design and they'll send you a quality 3D printed widget a few days later.

    Caption by: Greg Nichols

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An ecosystem for 3D printable objects

It's paint by numbers, advanced design for dummies like me. Once you're done creating, you can order a 3D print straight from the app, delivered by Shapeways.

Caption by: Greg Nichols

5 of 8

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