Description:

Autodesk has released Meshmixer 2.0, an updated version of the mesh-editing tool  that primary developer Ryan Schmidt describes as being for “making crazy-ass 3D stuff without too much hassle”.

As well as providing a set of intuitive mesh-manipulation tools, the software enables users to ‘Frankenstein’ one or more original meshes together, building up new models from a kit of parts.

New branding, new UI, new 3D printing features
The update brings the software – which Autodesk acquired in 2011 – in line with the company’s other consumer products, giving it a new logo, a new version-numbering system, and its own entry on the Autodesk 123D website.

The software also gets a cleaner, more standard UI; and new functionality that complements other 3D-printing-focused apps in the 123D range, like 123D Creature.

New features in Meshmixer 2.0 include:

A new Support Structure Generation for 3D printing in the Overhang Tool

A new Strength Analysis Tool, for fast approximate stress analysis

A new XYZ mode in the measuring tool

There are also more general mesh-editing, display and UI features, including:

A new Soft Transform tool

New shading modes: flat shading and face-group-normal shading

You can now directly enter numbers for all the parameter sliders

All right-mouse-button actions also available as [Shift]-left-mouse

Meshmixer 2.0 is available now for Windows and Mac OS X.