A New Look at Netfabb Basic
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When I first saw netfabb in 2009 or so, I was astounded by how cheap it was. Impressed with how netfabb fixes files, I urged Shapeways to work with them and this became the basis for the automated mesh repair functionality used by Shapeways customers. I also ended up using a free version of netfabb for years. When netfabb was acquired by Autodesk , it became a part of an expensive subscription that I didn’t want to use. Now, Netfabb and Fusion together is $4,000 a year. I’m sure it’s worth it, but I’d rather buy a really nice watch. Some of you may want to head over to this video that shows you how to install Netfabb and get the Basic version for free. Reviewing Netfabb now, with its Basic functionality, I can say that it really does get you a formidable free 3D printing software package. Netfabb’s repair tools remain amazing and provide a quick, automated way to repair meshes. You can do this through importing several parts at once. It’s possible to run your own repair routines or repair individual triangles, if you want to get down and dirty in the vertices. You can also find wall thicknesses that are too thin and identify them, to determine what wall thicknesses are problematic per process or setting. Meshes can be manipulated by changing models via hollowing them out, or you can check for surface deviations, and smooth over rough parts. Other possible operations include extruding geometry, making reliefs, adding textures and colors, and even projecting an image, pattern or texture onto an existing surface. You can make parts greyscale and extrude certain areas of a greyscale texture. It’s possible to label parts, add serial numbers, and even attach a tracking QR code. This code can be automatically ongoing so that you help manage parts automagically. More people should use this function not only to keep track of manufacturing parts, but for a very easy way to check which version of a file you have in your hands at home. You can add multiple printers to send files to different printers, as well as nest builds for a single printer. It’s possible to automatically populate a print bed with the maximum number of components printable. Is your model too large? Cut it and the tool will automatically add clips so the part can be assembled post-print. The software features collision detection, and examines Z-removability and interlocking parts. Have a last-minute worry about a part? Measure geometries, walls, holes, wall thicknesses at certain areas to see if they are up to spec. Measure the distances between points, as well. You can also export reports via Pentaho Report for invoices, reporting or quotes. It’s also possible to build your own pricing tools using this functionality. For students or teachers, Netfabb is free and would be an amazing tool. But, also if you’d like to get started with 3D printing, Netfabb is a really complete and usable tool. If you’re making hundreds of Yoda heads or moving towards manufacturing your first 3D printed product, Netfabb is something you should have in your arsenal. When Autodesk made Netfabb expensive, a whole generation of desktop 3D printing people lost touch with this software, and just as many new CAD people joined our market, so Netfabb became a tool for the lucky few. If you’re one of those people who never really gave it a spin, totally try it out. And if you remember the heady days of one-click repairs with the original netfabb, you can try out this package once again. If you want to quickly optimize something its also a great little tool.

A New Look at Netfabb Basic

Autodesk Signs Agreement to Acquire netfabb and Enter Strategic      Partnership with FIT AG. (Nasdaq: ADSK) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire netfabb ,      a Lupburg, Germany-based developer of software solutions for industrial      additive design and manufacturing. Autodesk will also make a strategic      investment in FIT      Technology Group , the parent company of netfabb and provider of      additive manufacturing software and services. The two companies will      collaborate to increase adoption of technology for industrial additive      manufacturing. Autodesk plans to use foreign capital for the transaction, which is      expected to close in Autodesk’s Q4 FY2016. Terms of the transaction were      not disclosed. “Autodesk has always been impressed by FIT’s track record in creating      powerful solutions to meet the challenges of industrial additive      manufacturing and together we will accelerate a new future of making      things,” said Samir Hanna, Autodesk vice president and general manager,      Consumer & 3D Printing. “We look forward to welcoming the netfabb team      to Autodesk and helping designers and manufacturers worldwide take 3D      printing beyond prototyping and plastics, to reliably creating      production-grade parts at scale.”
More than 80,000 designers, manufacturers, artists, researchers and      developers worldwide currently use netfabb solutions as part of their 3D      printing process. Autodesk plans to support and expand this community by      continuing to develop, sell and support netfabb software as well as      integrate netfabb technology into Autodesk’s solutions for product      design and additive manufacturing, including Autodesk      Fusion 360 the Spark 3D printing platform. “Autodesk shares FIT’s goal of delivering high quality industrial      additive manufacturing. We’re looking forward to cooperating with      Autodesk – our newest investor– and we are confident that netfabb will      continue to thrive and grow as part of Autodesk,” said Carl Fruth, CEO,      FIT AG, parent company of the FIT Technology Group. Business Outlook
This transaction is expected to have no impact on Autodesk’s guidance      issued on, August 27, 2015. Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve      risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding: the impact of      the acquisition and strategic investment on Autodesk's guidance issued      on August 27, 2015, our business performance, and product and services      offerings; the impact of the transactions on Autodesk's and netfabb’s      products and services capabilities, customers, and partners; and      Autodesk’s plans to develop new technology for advanced manufacturing      and expand the Spark 3D printing platform. Factors that could cause      actual results to differ materially include the following: Autodesk’s      ability to timely close the acquisition of netfabb and successfully      integrate the business; costs related to the acquisition and strategic      investment; whether demand for the 3D printing grows as anticipated; the      competitive environment in the manufacturing industries and competitive      responses to the acquisition; Autodesk and netfabb success developing      new products or modifying existing products and the degree to which      these gain market acceptance; general market and business conditions;      and unanticipated impact of accounting for acquisitions. Further      information on potential factors that could affect the financial results      of Autodesk are included in the company's annual report on Form 10-K for      the year ended January 31, 2015, and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended      July 31, 2015, which are on file with the Securities and Exchange      Commission. Autodesk does not assume any obligation to update the      forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or      circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made. 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 and the Autodesk logo are registered trademarks or      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. © 2015 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved. Contacts

Autodesk Acquisition Expands Additive Manufacturing Software Portfolio

Additionally, Autodesk said it is investing in netfabb's previous parent company FIT Technology Group. | Topic: Cloud
Autodesk on Thursday said it has acquired netfabb, a German software startup focused on additive design and manufacturing. Additionally, Autodesk said it is investing in netfabb's previous parent company FIT Technology Group. Financial terms for either transaction were not disclosed. What's Hot on ZDNet
How much does Microsoft Office 2016 cost without a subscription? For Autodesk, the deals highlight the company's efforts to make rapid prototyping about more than disposable models and plastics. The company wants to eventually refine the process and the materials used within it in order to 3D print production-grade parts at scale. Autodesk said more than 80,000 designers, manufacturers, artists, researchers and developers currently use netfabb software as part of their 3D printing operation. Autodesk plans to keep netfabb's community intact, and will continue to sell and support netfabb software. There will be some integration however, as Autodesk said it will add netfabb's technology to the Fusion 360 and Spark 3D printing platforms. Autodesk is in the middle of several transitions. Just a few weeks ago the company acquired SeeControl , a white label cloud platform used by industrial product makers looking to integrate smart sensors and services. Autodesk's aim with that acquisition would be to allow designers to create structures that could incorporate the Internet of things. Autodesk is also in the process of moving to a cloud subscription model over its traditional licensed software business. Join Discussion

Autodesk acquires software startup netfabb to bolster prototyping design

Autodesk Acquisition Expands Additive Manufacturing Software Portfolio
September 24, 2015 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time
SAN FRANCISCO--( BUSINESS WIRE )-- Autodesk,      Inc .

Autodesk is a company that develops software for design and engineering across various industries. Their main offerings include software for architecture, engineering, construction, product design, manufacturing, and media and entertainment, which allow for the creation of 3D designs. It was founded in 1982 and is based in San Francisco, California.

Autodesk

These partnerships , as well as its iterative Netfabb upgrades have allowed Autodesk to prosper financially during recent quarters , in a difficult business climate where others have failed .

Autodesk launches Netfabb 2022 with focus on improved machine integration

Companies in the advanced manufacturing tech space, including companies focusing on technologies across R&D, mass production, or sustainability

Advanced Manufacturing

Acquired

Netfabb provides innovative software solutions that reduce production costs and increases efficiency in 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing. The company's software bridges the gap between content and machines and is available for Windows, MacOS and Linux.

Date	9/24/2015
Round	Acquired
Amount
Investors	Autodesk
Valuation	$XXM
Revenue	0 FY undefined
Sources	2

First funding	9/24/2015
Last Funding	9/24/2015
Investor	Autodesk
Rounds	1 Acquired
Board Seats
Type	Corporation
Location	California

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Netfabb

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