Autodesk announces Spark 3D printing platform to be embedded in Windows
10 and intent to make digital 3D models interoperable with Microsoft
HoloLens
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 30, 2015--
Build Conference — In two separate but related efforts to advance
the future of digital and physical creation, Autodesk,
Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) announced it is working with Microsoft
Corp. to embed its 3D printing platform in Windows 10, and that it
intends to make its 3D modeling software interoperable with Microsoft’s
mixed reality environment, Microsoft
HoloLens.
In the first initiative, Autodesk will embed its Spark
3D printing software platform in Windows 10. This effort will provide
Windows users with direct access to optimized and more reliable 3D
printing experiences that streamline the additive manufacturing process
for a variety of software, material, and printer choices. Autodesk will
make the Spark APIs available for free* to the Microsoft developer
community to build upon, extending the reach and growth of the 3D
printing industry. Further, to their combined goal of making 3D printing
more accessible, Autodesk will also join Microsoft as a founding member
of a 3D Manufacturing Format (3MF) Consortium to create and support a
standard 3D interchange and printing format.
"We’re approaching a tipping point with 3D printing, which means there
is a huge market opportunity waiting for companies developing
applications for Windows 10,” said Steve Guggenheimer, Corporate Vice
President of Developer Platform & Evangelism and Chief Evangelist for
Microsoft. “By providing the 3D printing building blocks found in the
Spark platform and optimizing it for Windows 10, Autodesk has empowered
our global developer community to confidently enter this new world of
additive manufacturing.”
The second initiative is aimed at bringing 3D models from Autodesk
software into the virtual reality environment of Microsoft
HoloLens. Digital models using software such as Autodesk
Maya or Fusion
360 could then be viewable in the mixed reality environment enabled
by HoloLens. For game developers and filmmakers, this may accelerate the
creation of a new generation of entertainment experiences. For designers
and engineers, this may make it possible to digitally view a full scale
model during the up front design phase of product development, cutting
down on the time and cost required for physical prototypes before
fabrication.
In the future, designers and engineers could create 3D models of their
ideas with Autodesk software, like Fusion
360, view the models with HoloLens, and prep them for 3D printing on
Spark-compatible printers.
“3D printing is incredibly promising, but also still too complex and
unreliable. This relationship is a key step in making 3D printing easier
and more accessible to businesses and individuals alike," said Samir
Hanna, vice president and general manager, Consumer and 3D Printing,
Autodesk. “Together with Microsoft and its global community of
developers, we have an opportunity to tackle the complexities of 3D
design and printing head-on to improve how things are made and even
change the very nature of what we create.”
About Autodesk
Autodesk helps people imagine, design and create a better world.
Everyone—from design professionals, engineers and architects to digital
artists, students and hobbyists—uses Autodesk software to unlock their
creativity and solve important challenges. For more information visit autodesk.com or
follow @autodesk.
Autodesk, Fusion 360, Maya, Spark, Autodesk Print Studio and the
Autodesk logo are registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its
subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All
other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their
respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and
services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without
notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors
that may appear in this document.
*Free products are subject to the terms and conditions of the
end-user license and services agreement that accompanies the software.
© 2015 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20150430006461/en/
Source: Autodesk, Inc.
Autodesk, Inc.
Jennifer Gentrup, 415-547-2435
jennifer.gentrup@autodesk.com