About Anarkik3D Ltd and it’s product:
Anarkik3DDesign is a haptic 3D modelling package which bundles Anarkik3D’s bespoke software (Cloud9) with Novint’s Falcon haptic 3D device.
Anarkik3DDesign is created specifically for designer makers and applied artists who are looking for a more natural way of working digitally in 3D.
The Falcon replaces your 2D mouse or pad and enables you to draw on your sense of touch and use your hard-earned tacit knowledge and hand-working skills. It allows you to navigate and move naturally in 3 dimensions and experience tactile feedback as you form and construct your virtual models.
The combination of force feedback for touch and feel, 3D movement, 3D graphics and a range of modelling and editing tools means that you get an intuitive easy-to-learn 3D modelling programme with a non-complex interface. This adds up to an enjoyable 3D modelling experience with less disruption to your work flow.
From the outset, Anarkik3DDesign was developed with accessibility, affordability and practicality in mind. The structure and file formats mean that 3D models can be transferred to other 3D design programmes. The software is optimised for 3D printing: models are ready for printing out in an array of materials from metal to paper. You can turn your models into physical objects to exhibit and sell.
About Anarkik3D Ltd
Anarkik3D Ltd, founded in 2007, a spin-out from 6 years research and proof of concept projects at Edinburgh College of Art and University of Edinburgh. We investigated virtual 3D touch (haptics) as a better user interface for working and modelling in 3D.
The company was set up by designer-maker and applied artist, Ann Marie Shillito, and by Computer Scientist, Xiaoqing Cao to embed the research findings into the development of new software products.
Ann Marie understands the importance of having an intuitive easy-to-learn interface. She herself had struggled to learn and use standard Computer Aided Design (CAD) programmes. Anarkik3D utilises virtual 3D touch (haptics) to enable us to tap in to our sense of touch for a more natural way of working in digital 3D. Anarkik3D established a product that is fundamentally different from most of the commercial CAD and 3D modelling programmes.
Background to Anarkik3D Ltd
Ann Marie Shillito, who is currently CEO of Anarkik3D Ltd, trained and practiced as a jeweller and designer in the UK after completing her education at the Royal College of Art.
Her family are a great mix of artists and engineers. When in 1997 she moved into 3D digital designing to use the new technology of 3D printing she discovered that she struggled to use 3D CAD programmes. She became a research fellow at Edinburgh College of Art to investigate why and then instigated a 3 year Arts and Humanities Research Board funded Project (Tacitus) to investigate whether haptics might provide a better interface for 3D modelling for designer makers, applied artists and 3D artists. This proved very positive and after a further period of ‘proof of concept’ development (funded by Scottish Enterprise) Anarkik3D was set up in 2007 to develop commercial hapticated applications. At the beginning, as available haptic devices were very expensive, the applications were for major companies who could afford the devices.
In 2008 the Falcon came onto the market and using a SMART Award from the Scottish Executive development switched to prototyping a platform to combine haptics and graphics and to start building an affordable haptic 3D modelling programme specifically for designer makers and applied artists. Ann Marie and Xiaoqing combined their expertise in designing, making, and computer science to create Anarkik3D’s remarkable hapticated 3D modelling package: quick & easy to learn & use, immersive, huge fun & with serendipity as a default!
Ann Marie uses her designer /jeweller expertise as first stage in-house tester of the software. This plus feedback from users is applied to make sure the ‘feel’ of how the device and 3D modelling graphics interact is as natural as possible. This iterative development is important and is tied into testing Anarkik3D Design usability directly through commercial application. For example Ann Marie continues creating her own ranges of jewellery which are 3D printed in a variety of materials by different 3D print service companies on different makes of printer.
This video features Award winning jeweller and applied artist, Farah Bandookwala, talking about how and why she used Anarkik3D Design for the interactive work she designed and made, using 3D printing, for a Jerwood Open Exhibition for which she was one of 4 awardees.
Interested? Watch this Video to see how easy and enjoyable Anarkik3D Design is to use.
There are video tutorials (PWP) which illustrate how easy A3DDesignis to learn and use. These are password protected and you can access by signing up for our newsletter (see footer) and mark ‘interested’ box.
If you want to know more about Anarkik3D Ltd and Anarkik3D Design than is in our website, please get in touch. If possible we can arrange a demonstration, or you can attend one of our courses. Classes are for groups of 5+ people. Masterclasses can be for smaller groups.
Loan scheme
You might prefer to try Anarkik3DDesign in the peace and quiet in your own space. We can loan a system to you for a small monthly payment of £45 + VAT and a refundable deposit. The equipment options are: a Falcon haptic device and a laptop with the software installed and ready to go, OR a Falcon and short-term license for Cloud9 downloaded to your computer/ laptop. Just plug the device in and off you go! The fully refundable deposits are either £750 for Falcon and laptop, OR £250 for the Falcon, which we will pay back within 2 weeks of receiving the equipment in good order. You will be responsible for the costs of returning the kit. For more info you need a Password (see info above).
We support you:
Anarkik3D Ltd provides ongoing support with video tutorials and worksheets with news and information in our blogs and on social media channels.
Professional 3D printing services’ websites are the best places to go to for the most up-to-date advice on the latest techniques and materials for creating your masterpieces.
