AutoDesSys products: form&middotZ
 


Rapid prototyping/3D Printing

Rapid prototyping is made easy within form·Z with the ability to export files as an STL file. In an STL file, the surfaces of a model are represented by triangular polygons. Some rapid prototyping machines also accept IGES or DXF formats. A rapid prototyping machine reconstructs the model from the input file and slices it at relatively small increments, which may vary from 1/1000" (0.025mm) to 12/250" (0.1mm). Each layer is built and stacked on top of the previous layer until the entire model is generated. Below are examples of actual objects made through STL
(stereolithography) files from form·Z models.

"Aqualine Creature" by Michael Rees. in·form·Z newsletter, June 1997, page 23.

"Rapid prototyping the Apple mouse." in·form·Z newsletter, November 1993, page 18.

"Rapid prototyping a terminal box," by Max Probasco. in·form·Z newsletter, June 1995, page 31.

Physical models can also be generated from form•Z virtual models by 3D printing them on Z Corp machines. To do this they can again be exported through STL or Z Corp's own format called ZPR. The later supports color and textures, which are also supported by som of the Z Corp printers.

 

 

 

form·Z feature list

Introduction


Interface


Modeling

Primitives
Spherical objects
Metaballs
3D solids and 2D shapes
Patterned polygons
Derivative surfaces, extrusions, enclosures
Parallel objects
Frames

Projection objects
Unfolding
Terrain models
Revolved objects
Helixes
Screws and bolts
Stairs
Sweeps
Draft Sweeps
Skinning
Lofting
S-lofts
Meshed objects
Subdivisions
Moving and disturbing meshes
Deformations
Bending along curves
Morphing
Image based displacements
Rounding
Blending and filleting
Draft angles
Splines and c-curves
C-Meshes
Nurbz
Formula curves and surfaces
Patches
Boolean operations
Trimming, splitting, and stitching
2D and 3D sections
Deriving contours
Lines of intersection
Grouping and ungrouping/Joining and separating
Placing and editing text
Symbols
Editing 3D lines
Converting representations of objects
Extracting controls
Inquiring and measuring
Repairing objects and projects
Moving, rotating, resizing, and mirroring
Clones
Attaching
Replace
Inserting
Deleting

Drafting


Rendering


Special features

Extensive import/export
Panoramic views
Straight up perspectives
View matching
Walk through animation
Rapid prototyping
2D/3D digitizing

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