Geomagic facts for kids

Geomagic is a brand of special computer programs made by a company called 3D Systems. These programs help engineers and designers create things in 3D. Geomagic started as its own company in 1997. It was founded by Ping Fu and Herbert Edelsbrunner. Later, in 2013, 3D Systems bought Geomagic and added it to their other software businesses.

Geomagic's programs are mostly about computer-aided design (CAD). This means they help people design things using computers. A big part of what they do is 3D scanning. This lets you turn real-life objects into 3D models on a computer. They also use cool technologies like voxel modeling and haptic technology|haptic input, which lets you "feel" what you're designing. Geomagic also makes software for checking the quality of 3D designs and even sells 3D scanners.

Geomagic Products: Tools for 3D Creation

Geomagic offers different types of software and systems. These tools help people work with 3D objects in many ways. They can scan real objects, design new ones, and even check their quality.

3D Scanning Systems: Turning Real into Digital

Geomagic Capture is a system that includes a structured-light 3D scanner. This scanner uses blue LED light to capture the shape of a real object. It then turns that shape into a 3D model on a computer.

These systems are used for two main things:

• Scan-based design: You scan a physical object, and the software turns it into a 3D computer model. This model can then be changed or used for manufacturing.
• Inspection: You scan an object and compare it to a perfect 3D model. This helps you check if the object's size and shape are correct.

3D Design Software: Building Virtual Objects

Geomagic has several software programs for designing in 3D.

• Geomagic Design is for mechanical computer-aided design. It helps engineers design machines and how their parts fit together.
• Geomagic Freeform and Sculpt are special programs that use voxels. Imagine voxels like tiny 3D pixels that build up a shape. These programs often come with 3D Systems' Touch haptic devices. A haptic device lets you feel resistance or vibrations as you "sculpt" your digital model. It's like feeling clay as you shape it.
• Geomagic Design X, Design Direct, Studio, and Wrap help create 3D models ready for manufacturing. They use methods like Solid modeling (creating solid, complete shapes) and NURBS surfacing (making smooth, curved surfaces).

3D Inspection Software: Checking Quality in 3D

Geomagic Qualify and Geomagic Verify are programs for checking the quality of 3D objects.

They help measure and compare objects to make sure they are made correctly. These programs can use data from:

• Point clouds: These are many tiny dots that map out the surface of an object, often from a 3D scanner.
• Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs): These are machines that precisely measure points on an object.
• Existing 3D CAD data: You can import perfect design models to compare against.