Feature Friday No. 11 – Easy and Free 3D Modelling with Shapeshifter

Welcome back to our new Feature Friday! You are interested in 3D printing and want to create a 3D object, but you are new to 3D modelling software? No problem. There are numerous free and easy to use 3D modelling tools like TinkerCAD and 123 Design. By adding and subtracting various primitive shapes you can easily create objects. The downside: after a few uses these tools could grow old. But there is another great option for beginners to which we want to introduce you to: Project Shapeshifter from Autodesk.

More freedom for organic design

Shapeshifter is a browser-based tool that allows new CAD users to develop complex geometry out of common primitive shapes with very little effort and download the design as an .obj or .stl file. Compared to other platforms Shapeshifter is making these primitives more exciting through offering advanced controls, patterns, and more room for organic design.

How does it work?

Shapeshifter is playful and easy to use. Just open any modern web-browser that supports WebGL (e.g. Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari), go to shapeshifter.io, and begin your design process. Depending on what you want to design you can choose one out of twelve available templates, ranging from a ring to a plate. As a next step select a 3D pattern that wraps around your object. Now, you can play with the pattern and the design’s shape with a simple tweak of sliders. More than twenty basic and advanced controls provide a high degree of freedom and allow you to create unique models. When you are satisfied with your design you can either share it on Social Media Platforms, as an URL or export it for fabrication.

Give it a try

The tool’s straightforward approach allows beginners to create some complex 3D printable models that show off what you can do with 3D printing whereas no installation or previous knowledge about 3D modelling is required. Therefore, we highly recommend Project Shapeshifter to everyone who wants to gain first hands-on experience with 3D modelling or simply enjoys experimenting with patterns.

Tip: The missing saving function can be bypassed by saving the sharing-URL.

You have questions or look for someone who can print your 3D model from Shapeshifter? Write us, call us or simply stop by in our 3D printing Café in Berlin. We would be glad to help you out.

See you next week to a new episode of our Feature Friday. Enjoy your weekend!