3Data Expert Color - Dedicated repair and model coloring for 3D Systems ProJet x60 printers

3Data Expert Color is an advanced software application that allows you to repair, color, texture and prepare 3D models for 3D printing in color. 3Data Expert Color enables you to prepare 3D files automatically and with unprecedented ease – optimized for use with 3D Systems ProJet x60 3D printers!

3Data Expert Color includes myriad of commands for manipulation of 3D faceted models. These commands include STL verification and repair, STL offsetting, splitting, connecting, decimation, smoothing, solidify (aka "shrink wrap"), nesting and Boolean as well as faceted model coloring, texturing and texture painting. With 3Data Expert Color you can get your most difficult architectural models printed reliably!

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 transferred to 3D Systems 3DPrint software automatically with a push of a button or via .zpr files. Finally, build documentation can be genreated for production monitoring, PDM and quality control.

3Data Expert Color can be started from and data automatically transferred to 3D Systems 3DPrint software for smooth and easy 3D Printing with 3D Systems ProJet x60 systems.

3Data Expert Color is supported on Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10 / 11.

Repair faceted 3D models

3Data Expert Color offers effective and user friendly repair tools for triangulated models - optimized for use with 3D Systems ProJet x60 3D printers! 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. Repair errors automatically: separate shells, orient normals, stitch gaps, fill holes and remove error triangles. Repair routines specially tuned for 3D Systems 3DPrint software and ProJet x60 printers. Solidify (aka "shrink wrap") difficult architectural and other 3D models to single solid for 3D Printing with colors (in the image left). Manual repair with full editing capability for faceted models. Transfer repaired models to 3D Systems 3DPrint sofware with a push of a button.

Paint and texture models

3Data Expert Color includes complete set of professional 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, even on textured models. Add textures to surfaces and shells using various image formats: PNG, TIFF, JPG. Add logos, mark-ups, tags to separate parts after the build. Separate model areas for coloring and texturing. Transfer colored models to 3D Systems 3DPrint sofware with a push of a button.

Add and save material

For flexible Additive Manufacturing operation final functions before part build may include adding material or hollowing objects for faster build. 3Data Expert Color 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. Create 3D Nesting for optimal build area utilization.

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 Color 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.

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.

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 Color 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.

Automatic 3D nesting (optional)

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

Re-triangulate faceted models

3Data Expert Color 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.

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 Color 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 Color Offers:

3Data Expert Color basic operations:

• Verify and Repair models for ProJet x60 printers
• Paint and Texture models for ProJet x60 printers
• Solidify command (aka "shirink wrap") for reparing architectural models for 3D Printing
• Clean Surfaces to remove small surfaces and simplify model surface structure
• 64 bit implementation improvements to handle millions of triangles
• Advanced view direction selection and surface splitting for model texturing
• Texture Patint for coloring textured 3D models
• 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
• 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

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

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

• Repair routines dedicated for 3D Systems ProJet x60 printers
• 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

Coloring and Texturing

• Professional and flexible tools for model Painting, 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 Control

• Automatic connection to 3D Systems 3D Print software via start Icon
• 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
• 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 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