FabLab ModelMaker is an easy-to-use 3D modeling software that empowers students to design 3D geometric solids and create printable 2D nets on the computer screen using simple geometric shapes. Once the nets are printed, including glue tabs and fold lines, the actual  physical models can be constructed. Alternatively, the printed NETS of the models can then be further processed by a Graphtec Silhouette Fabricator, which scores, perforates, and cuts the nets along the fold lines which are then used to build the physical 3D model.

FabLab ModelMaker provides more than 50 geometric shapes to chose from, such as cuboids, cylinders, cones, prisms (including irregular prisms), pyramids, spheres, wedges or frustums. With the click of the mouse select the shape you want to work with and drag it into the ‘EDIT’ window for further manipulations.

The shape is shown instantly in 3D. Now the student can chose to color it, move it around, rotate it, view it from any camera angle and adjust its size and shape, either manually or using the more precise dimensioning facility (Metric or Standard). The next stage is to actually build the model. First position the unfolded NET, then print it, cut it out and construct a 3D paper model using scissors and glue.

This easy-to-use 3D modeling software puts real modeling and desk-top fabrication power into the hands of students, with  the real  potential of designing and constructing either simple items such as boxes for packaging, or more complicated structures like a house or a fun model like a borg cube, space ship or a Saturn Rocket. Only the sky’s the limit to a student's imagination! FabLab Model Maker fits perfectly into the STEM Initiative.