Charles R. Goulding and Andressa Bonafe investigate how NVIDIA’s pivot to generative physical AI, innovative platforms like Jetson Thor, and advances in 3D printing are revolutionizing the robotics industry.
generative
Exploring TRELLIS: Microsoft’s Advanced SLAT-Based Generative 3D Model Framework
Microsoft has released a new version of TRELLIS, a generative 3D model framework. There are several tools of this sort now available, but TRELLIS uses a different approach. They explain: “The cornerstone is a unified Structured LATent (SLAT) representation which allows decoding to different output formats, such as Radiance Fields, 3D Gaussians, and meshes. This… Continue reading Exploring TRELLIS: Microsoft’s Advanced SLAT-Based Generative 3D Model Framework
Ups and Downs for 3D Printing in 2025
Well, it just happens to be the first day of the year. What might happen in the next 364 days?
Hands on with Backflip.ai
Last week, Backflip’s AI-powered generative CAD system was revealed. We took it for a test drive.
Computational Engineering Breakthrough: LEAP 71 Validates Aerospike Rocket Design
LEAP 71 performed a monumental real-life validation of their computational engineering approach with a rocket engine hot fire.
Backflip Unveiled: AI-Powered 3D Design Platform Aims to Revolutionize CAD Modeling
The secret startup project by Markforged co-founders Greg Mark and David Benhaim has been revealed: Backflip.
New AI Technique Pioneers Accurate Mechanical 3D Model Generation Using BREP Geometry
Research is proceeding on ways to use AI techniques to generate solid mechanical 3D models.
Crystal Maker: A Custom 3D Model Generator for Creating Stunning Crystal Structures
A new 3D model generator has emerged that can produce models of crystals.
New Text to 3D Tool Produces High Quality 3D Models in Minutes
I’ve been testing a new “Text to 3D” tool, and this one just might be the best so far.
New 3D Printing Guidelines aim to Improve Lattice Designs
Novel design parameter dubbed “enhancement factor” helps minimize structural defects.
Effortless Custom Dice Creation with DiceMaker: A Free Generative 3D Tool
A free software tool offers generative 3D models of gaming dice.
HyDesign by Hyperganic: Simplifying Complex Lattice Generation for 3D Printing
Hyperganic announced today a new tool, HyDesign for lattice generation.
Design of the Week: Radiolarian Print
This week’s selection is the Radiolarian print by Nervous System.
KATALYST LABS Introduces Parametric Text-to-3D Tool to Simplify CAD Design
A new text-to-3D tool has surfaced with a big difference: it’s parametric.
LEAP 71 Proves Automated Rocket Engine Design: A Breakthrough in Computational Engineering
There’s been a major development for 3D printed aerospace: LEAP 71 has proven the viability of automatically designed rocket engines.
Create Complex Sketches Easily with Fusion 360’s Project Salvador AI Plugin
I’ve been trying out Project Salvador, which is an AI-plugin for Autodesk Fusion 360.
The Critical Role for 3D Printing in Space: Integrated Cooling Metal Parts
A new metal 3D printed part illustrates the importance of the technology for space applications.
Design of the Week: Ceramic House
This week’s selection is Ceramic House by Studio RAP.
OpenAI Unveils GPT-4o: AI with Implications for 3D Printing Technology
OpenAI made a series of important announcements yesterday, and hidden within them was something that has implications for 3D printing.
Hands on With the Meshy.ai Text-to-3D Service
I’m looking at Meshy.ai, a new Text-to-3D service.
From Orbit to Object: Transforming Space Probe Paths into 3D Prints
A new research paper proposes a method to use interplanetary space probe trajectories as a method to generate unique 3D printable designs.
Exploring the Potential of Voice-to-3D Modeling
Could you use voice commands to generate 3D models? It turns out you can – for free!
Hands on With Alpha3D’s AI 3D Model Generator
Alpha3D offers an AI-powered 3D model generator that works with text and images.
MIT Analyzes AI’s Potential in Manufacturing Innovation
MIT has released a very interesting paper analyzing the potential of using AI to generate part designs for industry.
Introducing CADScribe: A Text-to-3D Tool for Quick 3D Parts Modeling
I’m looking at a new free online tool called “CADScribe”, which can seemingly generate 3D models.
NVIDIA Advances 3D Model Generation with Fast, Detailed LATTE3D AI System
NVIDIA announced a new 3D generative AI system, LATTE3D.
Sora: How OpenAI’s Latest Innovation Could Transform 3D Design and Printing
OpenAI announced something quite startling last week, and it has significant long-term implications for 3D printing and design.
Beyond CAD: ChatGPT’s Experiment Paves the Way for AI-Designed 3D Parts
Can you design any 3D printable part using ChatGPT? That’s the claim of a new experiment.
Deep Learning Paves the Way for On-Demand Metamaterial Designs in 3D Printing
Researchers have developed a powerful method to use AI to generate metamaterial designs that could be 3D printed.
Enabling Complex 3D Models for Industry and 3D Printing with Metafold
We had a chat with the folks from Metafold about their generative design tool.
Will AI Finally Put the Aid in Computer-Aided Design?
Moribund software about to get an innovation boost from the AI tsunami.
Spherene’s Adaptive Density Minimal Surfaces Technology
Spherene offers advanced software that can quickly generate highly complex 3D models.
AI-Powered 3D Model Generation Introduced by Stability AI
Stability AI has introduced a new method of generating 3D models using AI.
Rethinking Construction: The Potential of Generative Design for 3D Printed Buildings
I’ve been thinking about a new concept for designing 3D printed buildings that just might change the way we work and live quite a bit.
Introducing GaussianDreamer: Faster Text to 3D Model Generation
A new experimental text to 3D concept shows a path towards efficient 3D model generation.
Leap 71 Open Sources PicoGK: A Revolutionary Computational Engineering Framework
Leap 71 has open sourced a powerful computational engineering software framework.
Fundamentals of Computational Engineering: Part 5 — All You Need is a Few Functions
With the rendering of implicit functions into the voxel field, we have created the ability to work with lattices and complex infills.
Fundamentals of Computational Engineering: Part 4 Implicits
We will dive a bit into the technicalities of a Voxel-based kernel here, how do we interact with it?
Fundamentals of Computational Engineering: Part 3 — Voxels to the Rescue
Thanks to the previous articles, we should have a pretty good understanding of the reasoning behind Computational Engineering and the fundamental technology necessary to support it.
Fundamentals of Computational Engineering: Part 2 — The Technology
After setting the stage in the first two installments of this series of article, let’s dive a bit deeper.
Fundamentals of Computational Engineering: Part 1 — A Bit of History
Let’s define what Computational Engineering is and how it differs from the way we currently use computers to design physical parts.
Fundamentals of Computational Engineering: Prologue
For the last decade, I have relentlessly pushed for a change in the way we humans engineer physical things. Our future depends on it.
LEAP71: Exploring Computational Engineering in the 3D Space
LEAP71 announced a deal with The Exploration Company, but what’s this all about?
AI Startup Exposed: The Use of Humans in 3D Model Generation
A report on 404 Media reveals an AI startup was secretly using humans to generate 3D models.
AI-Driven 3D Printing: Unveiling the Future of Unusual and Practical Parts
We could see an increase of very unusual yet practical 3D printed parts in the near future due to AI technology.
Hands On with CSM’s Image to 3D Service
Today we’re looking at CSM’s AI image to 3D service.
Introducing CSM: AI-Powered 2D Images to 3D Models
There’s a new and powerful AI-based 3D model generator, CSM.
Hands on with Imagine 3D
Today we’re taking a look at Luma AI’s Imagine 3D, a text-to-3D service.
Onshape to Have Generative Design for Assemblies
Spotlight finds generative design at PTC’s LiveWorx.
TitanCraft Now Out of Beta: Generate 3D Models of Gaming Figurines On Demand
TitanCraft is now out of beta, as of today.
Hexagon Accelerates Additive Manufacturing With New Platform
Hexagon released an interesting new platform that may be of interest to companies using additive manufacturing.
What is the Mystery Project from Markforged’s Founders?
There could be something very interesting brewing from the folks behind Markforged.
Western vs. Asian 3D Printers: When AI Changes the Equation
AI will shake up the 3D printing industry in more ways than you might realize.
Rapidly Design Lightweight Parts with Metafold’s 3D Modeling Tool
Metafold is a powerful tool to generate and process highly complex 3D models.
NVIDIA’s Magic3D System: Generating High-Resolution 3D Models from Text Prompts
NVIDIA Researchers have developed an improved technique for automatically generating 3D models from text input.
The Biggest Breakthrough in 3D Printing: Automatic 3D Models from Luma AI
This could be the biggest breakthrough in 3D printing in decades: automatic 3D models.
AI Tools Will Change 3D Printing in a Way You Don’t Expect
After looking at several AI tools recently, I’ve realized there is another fundamentally important way AI will affect the 3D printing world.
Did a Little French Startup Finally Get How to Optimize Designs for 3D Printing?
Cognitive Design Systems understands that lightest does not equal optimum and not all 3D prints are manufacturable.
Book of the Week: Advanced 3D Printing with Grasshopper
This week’s selection is “Advanced 3D Printing with Grasshopper” by Diego Garcia Cuevas and Gianluca Pugliese.
Hyperganic’s New Simulation Tech
Hyperganic announced a new and very speedy 3D simulation technology.
nTopology Blows Up Lightweighting. Again.
Generative design applications are famous for making strange looking, often unpractical parts.
DreamFusion: AI-Generated 3D Models Reaches Research Stage
A new paper describes how AI tools can be used to generate printable 3D models with only a text prompt.
Book of the Week: Create Stunning AI Art
This week’s selection is “Create Stunning AI Art” by Antonis Tsagaris and Andreas Pampoukkas.
An Easy Way To Start Non-Planar 3D Printing
I found a very easy way to start non-planar 3D printing.
Adidas and Carbon Create 3D Printed “Supershoe”
The new 4DFWD running shoe from Adidas demonstrates what is possible with advanced software driving 3D printing.
Carbon Acquires Advanced Generative Software System
Carbon announced today their first corporate acquisition, and it’s a big deal.
Beyond Generative Design: Where 3D Modeling May Go
I caught a glimpse of a potential future for 3D modeling tools, and it’s breathtaking.
Book of the Week: Generative Design
This week’s selection is “Generative Design: Visualize, Program, and Create with JavaScript in p5.js” by Benedikt Groß.
The Most Complex 3D Printed Part Ever?
Hyperganic may have produced the most complex model ever 3D printed, a revolutionary aerospace engine.
What’s Super About SuperSlicer?
A fork of PrusaSlicer adds some extremely interesting features.
Book of the Week: Neri Oxman Material Ecology
This week’s selection is “Neri Oxman Material Ecology” by Paola Antonelli, Anna Burckhardt, Hadas A. Steiner, and of course, Neri Oxman.
Looking Back at 3D Print Trends in 2021
The year 2021 has ended, and it’s time to look back to see what happened in 3D printing and Additive Manufacturing.
Blender Upgraded to 3.0, But Is It Good For 3D Printing?
Blender has been upgraded to 3.0 by the Blender Foundation.
PLA Stronger Than Steel? New Script Generates 3D Printable Beams
The folks at RepRap Ltd have released a new script that generates very strong 3D printable beams.
Book of the Week: Advanced 3D Printing with Grasshopper
This week’s selection is “Advanced 3D Printing with Grasshopper” by D. Diego Garcia Cuevas and D. Gianluca Pugliese.
Can You Use Generative Design for Internal Fluid Flow?
You can optimize internal fluid flow with an integrated generative design application.
Custom 3D Printed Shoe Lasts At The Touch Of A Button
A collaboration between multiple providers has created a way for shoemakers to quickly produce customized shoe lasts.
Book of the Week: Artificial Intelligence Revolution
This week’s selection is “Artificial Intelligence Revolution: how AI Will Change Our Society, Economy and Culture” by Robin Li.
Autodesk Opens Up About Generative Design
Thousands of Autodesk users, employees, and partners converged this week for the annual Autodesk University conference.
MSC Joins the Generative Design Parade
We catch up with Dr. Thomas Reiher, cofounder of AMendate, who is now director of Hexagon’s generative design division.
Mesh Modeling, Part 2: Siemens Convergent Modeling for Meshes and NURBS-based Geometry
Developers of Siemens NX are working to integrate mesh data for everyday CAD users.
Book of the Week: Generative Design
This week’s selection is “Generative Design” by Benedikt Groß, Hartmut Bohnacker, Julia Laub, and Claudius Lazzeroni.
Porsche’s 3D Printed Pistons Demonstrate High Efficiency
An interesting experiment in metal 3D printing has resulted in some rather efficient pistons for Porsche sports cars.
GE’s Additive Manufacturing Project for the U.S. Air Force Takes off
The great promise of 3D printing combined with innovative 3D design (such as generative design) is to reduce parts and material waste while creating geometry that surpasses the capability of traditional subtractive machining.
Another Generative 3D CAD Alternative: Gen3D
I’m taking a quick look at Gen3D, a CAD tool for generating complex structures that can then be 3D printed.
Dassault Systèmes Introduces Flow-Driven Design System
Dassault Systèmes introduced a new workflow to optimize generative design that is 10x faster than previous methods.
Creo 7.0 Adds Generative Design and More
PTC has revealed details of the latest Creo release, Creo 7.0, available on April 14.
Design of the Week: Puzzle Cell Complex
This week’s selection is the Puzzle Cell Complex by Nervous System.
An Interesting 3D Printed Lithophane Service
LithophaneMaker is a fascinating free service that allows you to generate all imaginable types of 3D printed lithophane models.
AREVO Puts All The 3D Pieces Together
A manufacturing-as-a-service company has developed a way to 3D print continuous carbon fiber in a production setting.
More 3D Print Workflow Automation Coming from Additive Flow
Additive Flow has unveiled a new generative design tool for additive manufacturing that has the unique ability to handle solutions for materials and mechanical design simultaneously.
Crazy Idea: AI-Based 3D Model Generation For Consumers
A new AI-based system can generate incredibly realistic human faces. What if the same technology was turned towards 3D printing?
When Generative Design Backfires – VW’s New Wheels
What looked like twigs proved to be generatively-designed shapes, the output of generative design algorithms available in Autodesk’s Fusion 360, then cast in metal.
ParaMatters’s CogniCAD “Lightweights” Experimental EV
EV maker Archimoto leveraged ParaMatters’ CogniCAD generative CAD tool to optimize the weight of several key metal components.
A Great Way To Learn Grasshopper
A new book explains how to use McNeel’s Grasshopper plug-in for Rhino 3D in a very simple and easy-to-learn manner.