Nick Kallen ships Plasticity 1.1
Tools developer Nick Kallen has released Plasticity 1.1, the first major update to the promising lightweight NURBS modeller since its release in April.
The release adds on-screen measurements, automated back-ups, a text-to-curve tool and STL export.
A lightweight NURBS modelling app for concept art, not industrial design
Described as “CAD for artists”, Plasticity is a streamlined NURBS modeller.
The software is intended to provide a low-cost, artist-friendly alternative to tools like MoI – which Kallen describes as a “huge inspiration” – and Fusion 360, and is aimed at concept art as well as industrial design.
It features a streamlined UI, with on-screen clutter reduced by context-sensitive widgets and pop-up UI panels, and uses key bindings and selections modes that should be familiar to Blender users.
Plasticity 1.1: on-screen measurements, auto-backup and 3D text
Plasticity 1.1 adds the option to display on-screen measurements, making it possible to view the length, angle or radius of lines, curves or polygons at a glance.
The measurements are primarily intended for use when creating models for 3D printing, but are designed to be unobtrusive enough for most users to leave them on at all times.
The update also adds a new automated back-up system. By default, it generates a save showing the model as it existed one hour earlier, and one from a day earlier, but you can customise the intervals.
Other new features not shown in the video above but listed in its description on YouTube include a text-to-curve tool for creating raised or recessed text on models, and the option to export models in STL format.
Price, system requirements and release date
Plasticity 1.1 is available for Windows 10+, Ubuntu 22.04+ Linux and macOS 12.0+. It runs on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs. The update is free to existing users.
New Indie licences cost $99 and import and export files in OBJ, STEP and Parasolid XT format. Studio licences support a wider range of file formats and cost $299. Both are perpetual node-locked licences.
There is also a free trial edition, which only imports STEP files and exports OBJ files.