An Introduction to KeyShot for 3D Printing

Stratasys recently announced an integration between GrabCAD Print from Stratasys and KeyShot 3D rendering software from Luxion Inc. This seamless integration accelerates the CMF modeling process with a smooth and quick export of 3MF files. In this article, we will introduce you to KeyShot and the benefits you can expect to see from this partnership. 

KeyShot is an industry-leading 3D rendering software that allows for not only intuitive but accurate designs and renders. KeyShot allows for easy and high-level manipulation such as:

• Applying Textures
• Bump Mapping
• Accurate Material Assignments
• Color Accuracy
• High Speed Realistic Rendering
• Easy Material Editing

As of today, in KeyShot 10, you will be able to export those renders with all colors and textures directly into GrabCAD Print for full-color printing on PolyJet machines. This will allow you to seamlessly take your designs and turn them into reality without having to do a lot of preparation or using multiple software solutions.

This is all possible due to KeyShot’s new ability to export the 3MF file format. The 3D Manufacturing Format, 3MF, is an open-source file format developed by Stratasys and several other companies in the additive space. This format allows for the exporting of information about materials and colors that cannot be exported by traditional formals like STLs. You will be able to export a 3MF of your model the same way you would any other format. Once that file is opened in GrabCAD Print, all of the color and material selections will be automatically applied to the model for printing.

Before this, parts would either require manual color selection done in GrabCAD or have multiple other software packages to apply colors and textures to their models. This drag and drop functionally will greatly reduce time spent in file preparation and allow designers to iterate faster than ever.

Priority Designs was a beta user of the new KeyShot 10 capabilities using the new office-friendly Stratasys J55 3D printer. “We developed this Bluetooth speaker model and used KeyShot to add all the textures like the speaker grill, then just saved to the new 3MF file format for 3D printing,” said Erik Fickas, senior industrial designer. “Overnight, we had five different models with five different wood samples and different fabric samples. To rapid prototype a wood texture would have been a heck of a lot of work.”

“Adding KeyShot support in our PolyJet 3D printers adds an additional advantage compared to designers who are only using 3D printing for concept designs and turning to slower and expensive traditional models for detailed designs,” said Stratasys Vice President of Design Shamir Shoham.

Want to learn more about how to speed up your workflow and bring products to market faster? Watch our on-demand webinar, Top 5 Ways to Speed Up the Design Process Using 3D Printing.