A flurry of press releases rained down upon us this week to announce the availability a new version of Anarkik Angels’ amazing software modelling tool Cloud9 and its inclusion in A1 Technologies Chameleon Package. If you don’t know about Cloud9 or Chameleon and you are a 3D modeller, you should. Cloud9 is a 3D modelling tool with a difference: you view your model in true 3D! Using it with 3D glasses and a haptic interface permits you to literally reach into a virtual 3D world to construct and touch your model by intuitive clicking and dragging, much like you’d do in a 2D design tool. Except it’s all 3D here. You must watch the video to properly understand the power of this tool. Note: Cloud9 requires Windows, XP or better.
Here’s the key features that you don’t usually see in a typical 3D modelling package:
- being able to ‘touch’ and actually feel the 3 dimensional qualities of a virtual object
- movement in all directions to interact, manipulate and construct objects within a 3D space
- sense of touching and moving freely, tapping into our natural way of doing things
- feel where you are, whether inside or outside objects
- so easy to create organic shapes
- changing the hardness/softness of virtual objects for different effects
- straightforward, non-complex interface for a more intuitive way to sketch and modelling
According to Anarkik Angels, the new version includes:
- New well designed Interface
- reported bugs and crashes fixed so new version is more stable
- Mirror objects
- Shortcut keys for quicker operations, such as move/rotate object
- Support for OBJ file format( with texture mapping import capability)
- Export part of the model (export selected objects only)
- Configurable AUTOSAVE function
- Unit setting (mm, cm and meter)
- Boolean (union, subtract and intersect two objects): this is at pre-alpha stage, included as it is usable in part, a useful tool and fun!
Chameleon is a complete 3D modelling package that includes not only Cloud9, but also the necessary haptic controller. The combo is available now for only £495.00 (USD$750). This package apparently does not include 3D glasses or the special keypad that appear in the video.
Via A1 Technologies and Anarkik Angels
PS. To give credit for work in the screen captured illustration.The ring was designed by Farah Bandookwala and she used Cloud9, Rhino and 3D printing at Shapeways to create all her work for her Masters Degree, completed at Edinburgh College of Art this Summer. More of her work can be see here: http://www.farahb.com.
Hello Fabbaloo,
Great to see Cloud9/Chameleon up in lights and I would like to make a correction so as not to mis-lead anyone. Cloud9 has been developed for Novint’s Falcon haptic device (bundled by A1 Technologies as the Chameleon) and for a standard screen (see see video here: http://www.anarkikangels.co.uk) as stereovisual hardware for 3D and 6 degrees of freedom for movement is beyond many pockets. Chameleon is therefore very affordable! which is what we are all about – easy affordable access for everyone and anyone to Fabbing as Chameleon is so easy, and fun, to learn and use.
The video link is to our corporate website and covers bespoke haptic applications, different hardware and systems.
Cheers, Ann Marie from Anarkik3D