3Data Expert® - Professional data preparation for Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing

3Data Expert Base (or simply 3Data Expert, in this context) is a professional tool for preparing 3D models for Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing applications.

3Data Expert includes commands for manipulation of both 3D surface models and 3D faceted models. These commands include surface triangulation, STL verification and repair, STL offsetting, splitting, connecting, decimation, smoothing, shrink wrap, 3D nesting and Boolean as well as STL coloring and texturing. Latest new features include 3D Lattice generation both on STL model surfaces and inside the STL models. Optimal supports can be generated for both Stereolithography, DLP and metal processes automatically. Sand Supports can be generated for deliate sand parts. Finally, build documentation can be genrated for production monitoring, PDM and quality control. 3Data Expert is the 3D data processing tool you need to get your AM business running!

3Data Expert Support Structure generator alows you to generated advanced supports for metal, DLP and Sterolithoraphy processes.

3Data Expert includes the same powerful viewing, measuring and communication tools available with 3Data Expert Free. Some of the more advanced functions are described below.

Several functions, like support generation, repair and reduce, are also available over the Internet via DeskArtes Cloud technology, please ask more at sales(at)deskartes.fi.

Optionally, you can purchase 3D CAD Import Translators to triangulate and auto-repair standard and native 3D CAD models for 3D Color Printing, Additive Manufacturing and Simulation applications. Import translators include STEP, CATIA 4/5/6, CATIA CGR, NX Unigraphics, SolidWorks, Solid Edge, Inventor, Parasolid, JT and Creo/ProE formats. Conversion keeps original assembly colors (not textures) for 3D Color Printing and can generate optimized triangulation for simulation applications. Color models can be reliably transferred to 3D Color Printing preparation software modules 3DEdit Pro, ZEdit Pro, ColourIT and Orange Peel via DeskArtes native file formats .3de and .3dez .

3Data Expert® is supported on Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10.

3Data Expert brochure: low resolution (PDF, 3.5 MB), high resolution (PDF, 17.4 MB).

Repair faceted 3D models

3Data Expert offers effective and user friendly repair tools for triangulated models. Models from different CAD systems, with or without colors, can be effectively repaired using both automatic and manual commands for Additive Manufacturing.

Input various faceted models: STL, 3MF, VRML, ZPR, OBJ, DXF, PLY, 3DS, Collada, FBX and proprietary 3DE Files. Output following faceted models: STL, 3MF, VRML, ZPR, DXF, PLY and 3DE Files. Repair errors automatically: separate shells, orient normals, stitch gaps, fill holes and remove error triangles. Solidify (aka "shrink wrap") difficult architectural and other 3D models for 3D Printing with colors. Manual repair with full editing capability for faceted models. Remove triangles, surfaces or shells manually.

Generate AM production reports

3Data Expert includes new commands to produce documentation for the AM print jobs. An overall Procution Screenshot can be used to identify parts on the build area and Generate Report command provides detailed information on each part in the build area.

Produce build platform image with parts and labels for part identification. Generate report with detailed part data for quality control and PDM. Produce both .doc and .xml files with direct links to part properties. Report model name, total volume, area, vertical area, etc. for cost calculation. Output detailed data for each object: bounding box, number of triangles, ...

Split and connect large models

When the triangulated model is ready and repaired for AM processes, many times one problem still remains. The model may not fit into to the build area of the 3D Printing process in use. 3Data Expert splitting and connection tools allow you to split and connect part halves accurately after the build.

Split with polylines, curved or fixed split planes. Add primitive connectors with a few mouse clicks. Add Lap Joint to connect thin parts firmly. Add empty space between the connector surfaces to allow adding glue after the build.

Automatic 3D nesting

3D nesting is used for positioning the parts of a model into a platform (workspace) in order to send the model to a 3D printer

Nest hundreds of Parts Automatically Set Time Limit or Density Limit, Quit when Animation shows Good Result Add New Parts to 3D Nests created earlier Improve earlier meshes just by restarting Mark non-moved parts, reserve no part zones in build areas Create Customer Specific Part Sets surrounded with hollow Primitives

Add 3D Text, labels and new geometries

Additive Manufacturing processes allow you to build several parts at once. Adding 3D Text will help to brand a model or to tell apart the models when ready from the machine. With 3Data Expert you can add 3D Text mark-ups to recognize parts from each other. Also, primitive and freeform geometries can be generated for support or to add new features to the original part.

Advanced graphical interface with pan, scale and rotate. Create 3D primitives and free form surfaces. Create 3D Text with user selectable fonts. Emboss or engrave the 3D Text to models with Boolean commands. Label multiple components automatically for production monitoring. Create new geometries: primitives, freeform surfaces and grayscale images.

Add and save material, generate supports for AM

For flexible Additive Manufacturing operation final functions before part build may include adding material or hollowing objects for faster build. Also, metal and stereolithography processes may require supports for correct part build. 3Data Expert Print Preparation functions offer the tools to give the finishing touches to the 3D models before manufacturing.

Offset open surfaces or Extrude too thin walls to add material. Hollow bulky models to save build time and material. Add drain holes to remove excess material. Define workspaces and position parts in them. Generate advanced support structures for DLP, metal and Sterolithgraphy processes, either solid or open support structures. Generate supporting plates for delicate Sand parts. Create 3D Nesting for optimal build area utilization.

Slice 3D models, view and repair slices

3Data Expert includes efficient slicing routines for both part and support geometries. For accurate parts, Z Compensation can be applied to the parts before the slicing and Tool Compensation can be applied during slicing operation.

Slice parts and supports. Apply Tool Compensation for accuate parts. Union part and solid support slices for Sterolithograpy or metal processes. Preview and fill slices for visual quality checks. Apply Fix Slices command to remove errors from slices. Output slices in CLI, SLI, SSL and SLC formats or as BMP bitmaps.

Advanced cutting functions

Medical and engineering processes may require very specific tools to cut models or to drill holes for fixtures or connectors. Cut and Hole Tools available with 3Data Expert enable most delicate Boolean operations with user defined surfaces even with complex model geometries.

Cut models for medical and engineering purposes. Define any number of cutting surfaces, scale to exact cut operation. Drill accurate holes to models, add plugs. Set drill hole depths easily with sliders.

Re-triangulate faceted models

3Data Experts fast triangle decimation and aspect ratio improving functions allow you to prepare 3D faceted files for any simulation system effectively. Detailed user control over the reduction results guarantee the optimal simulation result. Triangle refine, reduce and smoothing functions allow you to prepare sparsely triangulated models from CAD systems to scanned data for accurate simulation or manufacturing.

Reduce triangle count for faster simulation. Reshape triangles to improve aspect ratio. Smooth too sparsely triangulated data for accurate 3D Printing results. Smooth scanned data for Additive Manufacturing.

Paint and texture models

3Data Expert includes complete set of texturing and painting tools to prepared faceted models for 3D Color Printing. Painting, texturing, adding mark-up has never been easier.

Paint triangulated models with full color palette. Add textures to surfaces and shells using various image formats: PNG, TIFF, JPG. Add logos, mark-ups, tags to separate parts after the build. Convert color models to textured models for Texture Painting. Output ZPR or VRML/3MF files for 3D Color Printing.

Convert surface models into STL data

If you are running a service bureau, you may receive 3D CAD models from several sources in various formats. Optional surface formats with 3Data Expert allow you to input surface files from most CAD system in their proprietary file format or standard formats. Surface models can be triangulated accurately according to user defined parameters to suite your process needs.

Input various surface models, like STEP, CATIA 4/5/6, CATIA CGR, NX Unigraphics, SolidWorks, Solid Edge, Inventor, Parasolid, JT and Creo/ProE. Accurately convert your surface models to solid STL or VRML/3MF with colors. Automatically fill gaps, remove overlaps and fix trimming errors. State-of-the art triangulation result with optimized triangle shape and accuracy.

3Data Expert® Base Offers:

For Faceted Models

• Faster display list generation and texture handling
• Solidify command (aka "shirink wrap") for reparing architectural models for 3D Printing
• Shell Separation commands to produce parts with different material definitions
• Sort Model Tree for more effective model repair and data organization
• Clean Surfaces to remove small surfaces and simplify model surface structure
• 64 bit implementation improvements to handle millions of triangles
• Advanced view direction selection for model texturing
• Bitmap slice output for DLP based AM processes
• Texture Patint for coloring textured 3D models
• Support structures for metal, DLP and sterolithography systems
• 3D Nesting for optimal build area usage
• Production Screenshot for part identification

Communication

• Print and Email Images and 3D Geometry with Annotations and Measures
• Input STL, 3MF, VRML, ZPR, OBJ, DXF, PLY, 3DS, Collada, FBX and 3DE Files
• Write STL, 3MF, VRML, ZPR, PLY and 3DE Files

Model Editing

• Cut, Copy and Paste 3D Data
• Multiply models for manufacturing
• Advanced Selection and Replace tools for Model Repair
• Create and Run Macros for Effective Model Repair
• Workflow and Tools Window to Access Mostly Used Repair and Manipulation commands
• Intuitive Menu Structure to Support the Workflow
• Help Text window to Aid in the Repair Process
• Different Error Filtering Levels for Repairing Models for Simulation vs. 3D Printing

3D Viewing, Transformations and Measuring

• Viewing with Colors, Textures and Clipping
• Transformations to Scale, Position, Rotate, Mirror & Platform positioning
• Change units for STL models
• Generate professional 2D Drawings from STL data
• Point value, Distances, Angle, Radius and Wall Thickness Measuring

New Geometry Generation

• Design of Free-Form and Primitive Surfaces
• Primitive Box, Sphere, Cone, Cylinder and Torus for Adding Features and Supports to parts
• Rotation and Sweep to create new Free Form geometry
• Extrude Surfaces to add Thickness to models
• 3D Text with for Tagging AM parts
• Image to STL generation to add engravings on 3D data
• Add Connecting struts to add stability to the part during build

Surface Triangulation

• Conversion of IGES and other Surface models to STL with Full Control of Resolution
• Available with Optional input formats: STEP, CATIA 4/5/6, CATIA CGR, NX Unigraphics, SolidWorks, Solid Edge, Inventor, Parasolid, JT and Creo/ProE
• Re-trim and Manipulate Surface data to minimize errors

Full Faceted Model Repair

• STL Model Verification and Automatic Repair
• Automatic Self -Intersection Removal
• Advanced Error Location for Manual Repair
• Triangle Mesh Editing with Triangle Delete, Add, Gap Bridging, Point addition and Area Triangulation
• Normal Manipulation for Shells, Surfaces and Triangles
• Model Complexity Reduction for faster visualization and memory utilization

Faceted Model Modification

• Solidify command for reparing difficult 3D models
• Flexible Boolean Functions and Multiple Join Functions
• Advanced Cut and Hole Tool for Cutting and Drilling
• Hole Tool for Adding User Defined Holes and Tapered Plugs
• Reduce and Refine commands for Improving Triangle Shapes for Simulation
• Smooth Models for Improved Surface quality
• Check Draft Angle for Mold generation

Coloring and Texturing

• Easy to Use Coloring and Texturing Commands for 3D Color Printing
• 3DE File Format to Store Full Topology, Color and Texturing Information

3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing Control

• 3D Nesting for automatic parat positioning into work area
• Split models to fit on any Build area
• Connect with Pins and Lap Joint
• Hollow Parts for faster build and add Drain Holes
• Accurate Offset for STL files, Create a Solid from Open Surface
• Platform Definition for part positioning
• Platform positioning tools
• Z-Compensation for more Accurate build
• Automatic Support Structures for sand, metal, DLP and stereolithography systems
• Slicing of Faceted and Surface Models
• Production Screenshots and Generate Report for build monitoring, PDM and quality control

Online Help

• Extensive Online Help
• Tutorials and Advanced Model Manipulation Lessons
• Reliable Network and Standalone Licensing System

Optional Advanced Modeling

• Sketch 3D Surfaces on Medical models
• Create Volumetric Net from STL Data
• For Reverse Engineering and Medical Implant Design

Optional Import Translators

• Convert standard STEP and IGES 3D CAD files for 3D Color Printing, AM and Simulation applications
• Convert native Catia 4/5/6, NX Unigraphics, SolidWorks, Solid Edge, Inventor, Creo/ProE, Parasolid, JT and Catia CGR files for 3D Color Printing, AM and Simulation applications
• Conversion of 3D Files to STL or VRML/3MF with Full Control of Resolution