DOI: 10.1016/j.addma.2023.103912
A volumetric multi-material modeling language and compiler developed by the Matter Assembly Computation Lab at the University of Colorado Boulder. OpenVCAD is an automatable volumetric design framework that can fully leverage multi-material fabrication. OpenVCAD provides a scriptable suite of constructive solid geometry and functional design methods that enable the representation of complex objects with hundreds of materials. OpenVCAD allows for full spatial control over the material composition of an object. Additionally, it provides functional grading and convolutional blending techniques to generate parts with dynamic mechanical characteristics. This research tool is intended to be used for the design and development of new meta-materials, digital allows, and compliant mechanisms.
Please see the wiki for full documentation on how to use OpenVCAD.
a. shows a mesh node that is graded with two materials
b. shows a screwdriver that consists of a mesh node and graded with three materials
c. shows a soft actuator that consists of a functional geometry node and graded with three materials
d. shows a mug that is designed using multiple functional geometry nodes and boolean operations
See Gallery and Results page for more info.
Pre-compiled binaries of the OpenVCAD compiler can be found in releases. These include two versions:
- IDE-like program with UI and OpenGL-based rendering preview
- Standalone command-line application that compiles
.VCADscripts into PNG stacks, OpenVDB grids, or binary voxel files.
We welcome contributions to OpenVCAD from the community! Below outlines the process for contributing to the project.
The OpenVCAD code is open-source under a non-comercial license. As such, we encourage contributions from the community.
The code is hosted on a private GitHub repository that you can request access to by using this form: https://forms.gle/MAjCmG66xZ6p1JcE9