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Searching in three dimensions

New 3D search engine co-developed by Concordia University librarian allows users to search by shape

Montreal, October 22, 2014 — Now that 3D printing has brought a new dimension to computing, some Internet users are looking to search for specific objects rather than sets of words. While Google has made all online text searchable at the click of a mouse, a new search engine called 3DShap.es has made the objects produced by 3D printing just as findable.

Although still in beta, the online tool that takes search from two dimensions into three is already revolutionizing the 3D printing industry. Concordia University researcher Michael Groenendyk is part of a multinational team working to make the search engine the go-to site for finding 3D files.

“It’s sort of like Google images but for 3D objects,” he explains. “A shape-matching algorithm allows users to search for models based on their size and dimension. Users can upload their own 3D model to shape search with, or else choose one of the models from the database.”

A powerful database

Beyond just searching, 3DShap.es is providing a way to index every 3D model available on the Internet.

Groenendyk, whose work as a business librarian has taught him a thing or two about cataloguing, is currently leading a team working to develop the 3DShap.es database. “We’re basically crawling the Internet to find and categorize every kind of 3D model content available! We’re also working with companies and websites to get access to 3D content behind paywalls,” he says.

Their ultimate goal: bring together all digital 3D content under one searchable umbrella, so that it’s easier to access and filter for requirements such as file size, or the type of license its shared under.

The next revolution in printing

“3D printing will completely revolutionize the education sector, perhaps even more dramatically than the Internet has already done," says Seena Rejal, CEO of 3DIndustries — the company that launched 3DShap.es. Groenendyk, who is looking forward to seeing 3D printers installed in Concordia University’s libraries, wholeheartedly agrees.

“Engineering and architecture students are already able to create and manipulate 3D designs in programs like AutoCAD and then print prototype versions of their designs, which they can review and rework as they see fit.”

Groenendyk sees 3D printing as a key teaching and learning tool — one that 3DShap.es is helping bring to professors and students by allowing them to quickly find, use and manipulate the exact file they need, helping improve the process and make 3D printing more accessible across the board.


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