Startup Modio Hopes to Bring 3D Designing to the Mobile Masses  

Modio’s new mobile application, also called Modio, allows users to create 3D models and print them.

User created Modio figure from Maker Faire Bay Area. Courtesy of Modio.

The app, which is only available on iPad at this time, was launched at the recently concluded Maker Faire Bay Area conference in San Mateo, Calif.

“We are thrilled to launch Modio here at Maker Faire Bay Area, and we can’t wait to see what the maker community will make with it,” said Hilmar Gunnarsson, Founder and CEO of Modio. “With Modio, anybody can design amazing creations and then easily make them real using a desktop 3D printer.”

According to the app’s developers, Modio was created because there’s a gap in the market.

“We come from pretty diverse backgrounds but we all believe passionately that 3D printing is an amazing technology,” the developers said on the Modio website. “Unfortunately, there are not a lot of tools available that enable anyone to create great content for 3D printing. That’s why we created Modio.”

Though similar apps such as Sculpteo and Blokify exist, Modio distinguishes itself in several ways. First, Modio works with most desktop 3D printers. Unlike some 3D printing programs, Modio’s templates are designed to print easily out-of-the box without additional rafts or support material. The app also features an intuitive interface that lets users set the size and layout of all the parts on a 3D printer’s print plate. The app’s developers say this feature simplifies the printing process.

The Modio app comes with a template library that includes plans for a variety of characters and creatures such as scorpions, knights, ninjas and more. Though there are plans to put up a paywall in the future, at the moment, all the templates and parts plans are free, so that early adopters can see what the app can really do.

User created Modio figure from Maker Faire Bay Area. Courtesy of Modio.

Everything that a person prints using Modio is supposed to be fully poseable and interchangeable. That means that even if a person uses a specific part or template, he/she can take it apart and reconfigure it or attach some of the pieces to his/her other creations. Users can also add textures to the shapes and pieces created using the app.

For those who are bummed about Modio being an Apple-only product. The company has said via Twitter, that there are plans to bring the app to other devices. Modio’s developers also have plans to open a discussion forum where users can share feedback about the app and get support from the community.  In the meantime users can discuss the new mobile app at the Modio forum thread at 3DPB.com