3D Sculpt & Engineering Lab

Shape, edit and technically inspect 3D models

With the 3D Sculpt & Engineering Lab you can create and edit 3D models directly in the browser. Shape figures, housings, technical concepts or free geometries and then develop them into a testable 3D model.

The online tool combines 3D sculpting and mesh editing with technical functions for design and 3D printing. models can be shaped, smoothed, remeshed, measured, repaired and prepared as STL for further editing or manufacturing.

Local processing: The 3D models are processed directly in the browser and are not uploaded to the Roltec server for editing.

3D sculpting directly in the browser

In digital sculpting, a 3D model is freely shaped much like a real material. Different brushes can build up, remove, smooth or change areas. This makes the tool suitable both for free-form shapes and for early product and housing concepts.

Typical applications are:

• model 3D figures
• Create organic shapes
• Visualize product ideas
• Develop housings and design concepts
• Modify existing STL models
• Prepare mesh geometries for further work

Edit STL and mesh online

Existing mesh models can be imported and further edited. Functions such as remesh, subdivision and decimation help adapt the mesh structure to the task at hand.

• Transform and scale meshes
• Modify geometry with sculpting tools
• Remesh the mesh
• Increase resolution with subdivision
• Reduce the number of triangles with decimation
• Smooth and correct surfaces
• Export models as STL

From 3D model to printable part

A visually successful 3D geometry is not automatically suitable for 3D printing. That is why the tool combines creative modelling with basic technical checks.

After modelling, dimensions, volume and mesh quality can be examined. Open edges or a non-closed surface indicate problems that should be fixed before export and manufacturing.

Engineering mode for technical models

The basic mode focuses on a clear and easy-to-use interface for shaping. For technical tasks, the engineering mode can also be activated.

This provides advanced functions:

• Units and dimensions
• Volume calculation
• Triangle count analysis
• Mesh quality check
• Detection of open edges
• Check for closed surface
• Mesh repair
• Checks to prepare for 3D printing

Check the 3D model for 3D printing

Before 3D printing, a mesh should not only be geometrically closed. Dimensions, wall thicknesses, model size and the quality of the triangle mesh also affect manufacturability.

The 3D Sculpt & Engineering Lab serves as a first check stage. For a more detailed technical assessment, the model can then be examined further with the specialized Roltec tools for STL analysis and wall-thickness analysis.

Four steps from design to manufacturing

1. Shape: Shape the model with brushes, color, materials and symmetry.
2. Improve: Optimize the mesh with remesh, subdivision, decimation and transformation.
3. Check: Check dimensions, volume, mesh structure, closed surface and open edges.
4. Manufacture: Repair errors, perform a 3D-print check and export the model as STL.

For design and product development

Mesh tools can also be useful in technical development processes. Converted CAD models can, for example, be post-processed or simplified before being used for simulation, visualization or additive manufacturing.

Typical tasks are:

• Post-process STEP-to-STL models
• Correct STL files
• Simplify triangle meshes
• Prepare the mesh for FEM calculations
• Check models for 3D printing
• Develop free geometries for product concepts

3D sculpting for learning and experimentation

The tool is not only for designers. Its visual approach allows young people, students and beginners to develop their own 3D shapes while learning technical relationships in practice.

A self-shaped figure leads to concrete engineering questions: How large is the object? What volume does it have? Is the surface closed? Why does the model not stand stably? Is it suitable for 3D printing? How does wall thickness affect manufacturability?

Engineering missions for teaching and training

Short tasks combine creative modelling with technical learning goals. For example, a model can be changed so that certain requirements are met.

• Improve stability
• Reach a specified volume
• Investigate wall thickness
• Reduce triangle count
• Find and repair mesh errors
• Prepare the model for 3D printing

This turns free 3D modelling into a practical introduction to design, geometry, manufacturing and engineering.

Technical foundation

The sculpting core system is based on the open-source project SculptGL by Stéphane Ginier. It provides sculpting brushes, Dynamic topology, voxel remesh, vertex painting and undo/redo functions, among other things.

The Roltec extensions add technical units, model analysis, repair functions, engineering missions and connections to other tools for STL analysis and wall-thickness checks.

Shape, understand and manufacture 3D models

The 3D Sculpt & Engineering Lab combines creative 3D sculpting with practical engineering tasks. A model is not only shaped, but then measured, analyzed, improved and checked for manufacturability.

This makes the tool suitable for design and product development as well as training, teaching and a playful introduction to technical topics.