Autodesk 123D was a suite of hobbyist

CAD Computer-aided design (CAD) is the use of computers (or ) to aid in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a design. This software is used to increase the productivity of the designer, improve the quality of design, improve c ...

and

3D modelling In 3D computer graphics, 3D modeling is the process of developing a mathematical coordinate-based representation of any surface of an object (inanimate or living) in three dimensions via specialized software by manipulating edges, vertices, an ...

tools created by Autodesk. It is similar in scope to Trimble SketchUp and is based on

Autodesk Inventor Autodesk Inventor is a computer-aided design application for 3D mechanical design, simulation, visualization, and documentation developed by Autodesk. Features Inventor allows 2D and 3D data integration in a single environment, creating a virt ...

. As well as the more basic drawing and modelling capabilities it also has

assembly Assembly may refer to: Organisations and meetings * Deliberative assembly, a gathering of members who use parliamentary procedure for making decisions * General assembly, an official meeting of the members of an organization or of their representa ...

and

constraint Constraint may refer to: * Constraint (computer-aided design), a demarcation of geometrical characteristics between two or more entities or solid modeling bodies * Constraint (mathematics), a condition of an optimization problem that the solution ...

support and STL export. Available for the software is also a library of ready-made blocks and objects. Autodesk worked in collaboration with three companies (

Ponoko Ponoko is an online service for distributed manufacturing and on-demand manufacturing. History Ponoko was founded by David ten Have and Derek Elley in 2007 and launched in September the same year at TechCrunch 40. In 2009, Ponoko formed a relati ...

Techshop TechShop was a chain of membership-based, open-access, do-it-yourself (DIY) workshops and fabrication studios. they had ten locations in the United States: three in California, one in Arizona, one in Arlington, Virginia (near DC), one in Michigan ...

and

3D Systems 3-D, 3D, or 3d may refer to: Science, technology, and mathematics Relating to three-dimensionality * Three-dimensional space ** 3D computer graphics, computer graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data ** 3D film, a ...

) to make the software capable creating physical objects from designs using

3D printing 3D printing or additive manufacturing is the construction of a three-dimensional object from a CAD model or a digital 3D model. It can be done in a variety of processes in which material is deposited, joined or solidified under computer ...

technology. The 123D apps were discontinued by Autodesk beginning November 2016
Autodesk is no longer offering 123D and completing March 2017. The tools in the 123D suite were replaced by

Tinkercad Tinkercad is a free-of-charge, online 3D modeling program that runs in a web browser. Since it became available in 2011 it has become a popular platform for creating models for 3D printing as well as an entry-level introduction to constructive s ...

Fusion 360 Fusion 360 is a commercial computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), computer-aided engineering (CAE) and printed circuit board (PCB) design software application, developed by Autodesk. It is available for Windows and mac ...

, and ReCap Pro.

Additional applications

The 123D suite consists of the programs: * Catch: Creates 3D models from series of photographs taken at various angles using

photogrammetry Photogrammetry is the science and technology of obtaining reliable information about physical objects and the environment through the process of recording, measuring and interpreting photographic images and patterns of electromagnetic radiant ima ...

* Sculpt+: Allows manipulation of virtual clay into a model * Make: Allows creation of low-tech LOM-style solid models * Design: Simplified program to create 3D models * Creature: Allows creation of creatures in 3D on iPad * Circuits: Virtual breadboarding and circuit design application
123D circuits announcement. * Tinkercad:

app * MeshMixer: A tool for working with mesh models

Autodesk Catch

Catch uses photogrammetry technology to create a 3D model out of multiple pictures taken by the user. It does this by stitching together the images with common visual structures automatically, then asking the user to help connect points that could not be determined through software. Catch can be used to create 3D models of people, places, and things. With the creation of an Autodesk account, users can also export their newly created models to further manipulate in popular 3D modeling software. The program is available for Windows, an app exists in the play store for Android, app store for iOS, and Windows Phone store.

Use

To create a 3D model in Catch the user should find a subject that can be easily photographed from many angles in good light. If the user is trying to create a 3D model of something with complex features they can take close up pictures on those areas to give better definition to the resulting model. Autodesk recommends taking between 30 and 40 pictures to create a well rounded model but when photographing larger subjects the user can take up to 70 pictures to give greater detail to the model. Once all of the images are saved they are uploaded to autodesk servers so they can be stitched together and a 3D model can be made. This process can take several minutes. Finally after they model is created it is downloaded to the user's device for viewing and editing. The 3D models created by Catch can be used in a number of ways such as 3D printing.

Sharing

Catch offers users the ability to view, comment on, rate, and download other users models. Likewise any user of the app has the option to share their creations with the autodesk community via Autodesk's built-in sharing functionality.

Limitations

Models featuring small parts or hair and fur can cause problems for the Catch software because the mesh created does not allow for such level of detail. When creating a model, the Catch software can have trouble stitching together images that feature reflective or transparent surfaces, even with the user's assistance. Catch can also fail to properly create a model if the subject moves or changes when the photographs are taken. Catch processed the user's images on an Autodesk server, therefore internet connection was required. Autodesk servers may be unresponsive at times.

References

Ryan Schmidt, Matt Ratto. Design to Fabricate, Maker Hardware Requires Maker Software.IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications.
{{Autodesk products 2009 software Autodesk discontinued products 3D graphics software Articles containing video clips Computer-aided design software

Additional applications

Autodesk Catch

Use

Sharing

Limitations

See also

References