An Edinburgh-based software firm has been shortlisted as one of only three Scottish finalists in this year’s 3D printing global industry awards for the second year running.
Anarkik 3D is in the running for a major international prize in the 3D Printshow Global Awards for remaining at the forefront of technology with its innovative 3D modelling, designing and printing application – which is set to take the market by storm and revolutionise the way designer-makers work.
The company, which took the Best Consumer Software prize in the 2013 3D Printshow honours, has been nominated for the same accolade at this year’s awards, which are designed to recognise the inspirational work which has helped develop and elevate the art of additive manufacture – as well as those businesses which have risen to the challenges of the marketplace, flourishing in what is a highly-competitive industry.
Its Anarkik 3D Design Cloud9 software has been developed for professional designer-makers and artists and, bundled with the Falcon haptic device, which simulates touching at a single point of contact, helps to create easy, fluid designs in 3D.
Founded in partnership by Edinburgh-based contemporary designer-maker Ann Marie Shillito and software engineer Xiaoqing Cao, Anarkik 3D has been developing its haptic technology to help revolutionise the way makers design their craft since 2007.
In collaboration with Edinburgh’s Glastonbridge Software Ltd, the designer-led firm offers advanced computer-aided design software combined with the technology to actually touch and manipulate objects created in a virtual three-dimensional space.
The commercialisation of its products follows seven years’ practical, theoretical and applied research into touch technology – otherwise known as ‘haptics’ – in a collaboration between Edinburgh College of Art and The University of Edinburgh.
CEO Ann Marie Shillito said: “Our goal is to create the best place for non-CAD users of all abilities to engage with 3D modelling, designing and 3D printing.
“At our core is Anarkik 3D Design, a remarkable touch-enabled 3D sketch-modelling software package, which has been developed for designer-makers by designer-makers to be fun and intuitive, as well as quick to learn and easy to use.Therefore, we’re delighted to have been nominated for a 3D award for the second year in a row.”
But Anarkik 3D, which will also exhibit at the event, isn’t the only one to be nominated for its impressive creative output.
Anarkik 3D Design user Elizabeth Armour, a freelance jeweller and designer-maker who graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art at Dundee University, has been shortlisted as the awards’ Rising Star of 2014. She uses Anarkik 3D Design software to create natural, fluid forms and finds the application suits her way of working perfectly.
Elizabeth, whose 3D modelling is inspired by nature said: “When I use my prints which, so far are mostly white nylon-based, I integrate my making skills into them. I don’t believe they are quite finished when they come from the printer; I don’t see them as finished and I instinctively experiment with my designs. Textile dyes work really well for colour, pearls go with my organic shapes and compliment the prints so well, silver adds value and an element of ‘jeweller’ to the piece – I design through making and have always worked this way.”
The 3D Printshow will take place in London, Paris and New York between 4 and 6 September, 17 and 18 October, and later in 2015 respectively. Its Global Awards will kick off the proceedings at London’s Old Billingsgate on 4 September.
Also in the running for the Best Consumer Software Award are Netherland’s-based Ultimaker, whose Cura software has been designed to make 3D printing as easy and streamlined as possible; Sketch-Up’s Make 3D modelling software, and US and Iceland-based Modio’s desktop 3D printing application.
Anarkik 3D uses the Ultimaker2 and Cura applications in its masterclass and training sessions.
Also Edinburgh-based, Alan Faulkner-Jones, who works with stem cell research and has created a new type of bio-printer which outshines many of the 3D printers that came before it, is the third Scottish finalist in the 2014 3D Printshow Global Awards and has been nominated in the Inspirational Individual category.