123D

Create 3D models from 2D slices produced by 123D Make

123D Make is an app that lets you turn 3D models created in any tool but saved as STL or OBJ files into a real-world product made out of flat (2D) material that can be cut and assembled into a 3D model. While this may sound confusing, you'll instantly recognize some objects made in this way, most likely the 3D dinosaurs assembled out of 2D pieces of wood and sold in toy and museum shops worldwide. 123D Make is a 40MB download that is easy to install.

The 123D Make interface is a little overwhelming to start with, but … Read more

Popular Mechanics honors breakthrough innovations

What do Elon Musk, Leap Motion, Microsoft Surface and Windows 8, Autodesk 123D, and Dow Solar's PowerHouse Solar Shingles have in common?

They are all among the winners of Popular Mechanics magazine's eighth Breakthrough Awards. Awarded each year by a panel of the magazine's editors, the honors go to people and products that are seen to be leading the world of science and commerce forward.

This year's product winners are: The North Face Powder Guide ABS Vest and Backpack; the Lytro camera; Autodesk 123D; Microsoft Surface and Windows 8; Ford's 1-liter EcoBoost engine; Dow PowerHouse … Read more

How to render 3D images on your iPad for free

AutoDesk isn't exactly a household name, but I'm continually impressed by the quality of free apps it offers.

One of the latest free apps, which came out earlier this month, renders everyday objects in 3D on your iPad, a fairly nifty feature. These aren't the wonky 3D images that seem to fly off the screen; I'm talking about rendered images that can be moved around on screen.

The app 123D Catch works like this: You use the app to snap 40 or so photos of an object at different angles. The photos are then uploaded to … Read more

Point and shoot, then print in 3D (video)

Techies are all abuzz about 3D printing. Imagine turning your photographs into 3D models. Autodesk recently unveiled two free pieces of software that enable users to do just that.

The software, called 123D Catch and 123D Make, creates a 3D model of your images, which can then be sent to a 3D printer or can be constructed out of cardboard as a template. SmartPlanet recently talked to Autodesk to see how it all works.

This video originally appeared on SmartPlanet with the headline "Print 3D models out of your pictures."

Autodesk bringing 3D modeling to the masses

SAN FRANCISCO--You may not know CAD, but if you've got a computer, you can now start creating 3D models.

That's the idea behind 123D Catch and 123D Make, two new free software applications that Autodesk is planning on releasing on Monday. The two programs join the company's existing iPad app, 123D Sculpt, as part of a family of tools that are intended to give just about anyone the ability not just to make their own 3D designs, but also to get them produced as real, physical models.

Autodesk unveiled the two new applications at a press event … Read more

129: Cash for Guzzlers: What a mess!

Cash for Guzzlers--what a mess! Texting while driving is probably at the beginning of its end, the first car with handwriting recognition, and a ride in a really cool, affordable car you can't buy here!

Subscribe now: iTunes (audio) | RSS (audio) SHOW NOTES

• We love us some BMW 123d hatchback

• Nissan's new take on CVT gearboxes

• Annoyingly safe Volvo XC60

• New Audi's to feature handwriting recognition!

• Edmunds' Cash for Clunkers calculator