SuperD

SuperD is a 3D conceptual modeler specifically designed for mobile devices. It is fast to learn, easy to use, and runs efficiently on iPhones and iPads.

Our pilot program has proved particularly attractive to young users and STEM educators. One ten year old designed and 3D-printed a simple teddy bear, with about fifteen minutes of instructions and a couple of hours of exploration. Educators find SuperD especially helpful in creating a playful and organic 3D spatial learning experience.

On the front end, SuperD uses the highly popular recursive subdivision (SubD) design interface; On the backend, it employs a novel surfacing technique which results in faster computation, less memory demands, and higher quality surfaces.

Three-D design has many innate challenges. It is simultaneously a beautiful and a complex process. With SuperD, a seasoned professional can prototype and share his or her visions in a fraction of time it used to take; whereas an amateur will find learning to model much less intimidating. A child with a story to tell can design all his or her characters with SuperD and then 3D-print them. The possibilities of cross-discipline creativity are endless, and the reality of complete customized manufacturing is just an iOS away.

SuperD features:
- SubDivision (SubD) control cage interface.
- Dynamic level of detail (LOD) via resolution settings
- Smooth (G1) surfacing. G2 is attainable in many cases.
- OBJ import/export (enables 3D printing)
- Verto Studio 3D copy/paste integration.
- Shading modes (wireframe, phong, reflection, texturing, analysis)
- Undo/redo

Editing features:
- Move, rotate, scale
- Pull (extrude), duplicate, delete, subdivide, ring select
- Per patch color
- Slew patch tangent (perfect cylinders)
- Closed or open (curved edge) models.
- Rounding or squaring corners and edges