Software Tools
the Figment3d surface format
The Surface Format is parametric, representing all shapes via a consistent formula using (Kochanek Bartels Catmull-Rom or Centripetal) control points. Planes, spheres, cubes or anything in-between are presented as single surfaces that can be sampled to any resolution. Surfaces can be seamlessly connected to other surfaces easily. Without the mathematical overhead of NURBS or the limitations of Subdivision Surfaces, Figment3D provides a robust alternative. A simple grid of points scanned from your device(s) can be input to create an infinitely scalable (piecewise, bicubic) parametric surface.
Surface Format data is stored in files with a .FIG extension.
the Figment3d editor
Providing complete control over the Figment3D Surface Format, the (Win32 UI based) Figment3D Editor exposes the simplicity and intuitive nature of the underlying proprietary surface format. This amazingly compact and concise tool is ideal for content creation.
- 3D primitives can be represented as 2D primitives in the same way that colors are comprised of Red, Green and Blue.
- The primitives (or free hand curves) can then be modified to make infinite combinations with only a few parameters.
- Mechanical and organic models can easily be created; animation, deformation, particle systems and physics are natural extensions of the intuitive surface format.
- Objects can travel on surfaces with a single U,V to (x,y,z) conversion.
- Surfaces can be melded together in various ways and feature seamless articulation. This supports deformation and animation.
- Part hierarchies represent larger scenes in a divide-and-conquer fashion.
- Geodesic meshing (uniform triangle size) is supported as well as grid-based meshing (uniform quad resolution).
- Export OBJ files for compatibility with Unity, Three.js, 3DS Max, etc.
- For pricing info (starting at $899 for an unlimited copy), contact us.
The Figment3D machine
The Figment3D Machine now runs as a command line tool (or in the cloud) to process a script file into an OBJ file. It is compatible with Linux and MacOS. Via the Figment3D Prototype web server (which uses HTML5, WebGL and Three.js), the Figment3D Machine runs on most devices. Models can be encoded in the URL to specify the sample resolution and even deformations. Models are also 3D printable when seamlessly articulated.
The Figment3D SDK
Figment3D models can be added to existing tools such as Unity or 3DS Max using the Figment3D SDK.
Models are imported as .FIG files. Surfaces or models can be exported in .OBJ format to any specified folder or streamed to a buffer.
All of the features of the Figment3D Editor are exposed to the programmer. The Figment3D DLL is only 660K.
The Figment3D Flowchart
This flowchart shows how Figment3D tools are integrated.