I disguised myself as a 4th grader to enter a primary school and see how children are using computers and the internet to learn.  I discovered that children are not using the internet just for research, but are learning how to build and use 3D easily with 3DVIA tools.  This generation (ofter referred to as [...]

This 3DVIA Shape tutorial shows how easy it is to build a 3D logo from a 2D logo using 3DVIA Shape.  Within minutes, you can have a great looking 3D logo, which can be stored on 3dvia.com, and easily accessed by anyone to used.
For more detail on functions used in this video, see the following [...]

Video shows how to create multi-sided polygons with only 3 clicks.
To see all 3DVIA Shape Tips, click here for the 3DVIA Shape video tutorials.
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One of the best ways to create realistic 3D models is by incorporating good textures.  Textures can make a model more realistic, by adding details which would be impossible as part of the geometry.  This is a tutorial on the basics of texture mapping.
This video details the texturing functions within 3DVIA Shape, but these fundamentals [...]

With the introduction of Microsoft’s new Bing search engine and maps comes 3DVIA Shape for Maps.  It’s basically 3DVIA Shape with some navigation tools, but it can really add some excitement to your maps, and a great way to display any building models.  You can build your own models, or use any [...]

Video shows how to add sketch points, and split line segments by adding sketch points.
To see all 3DVIA Shape Tips, click here for the 3DVIA Shape video tutorials.
For more information on our FREE 3D Modeling product, 3DVIA Shape, click here.

Need to create realistic 3D models quickly? The best way to accomplish this is to build from pictures (textures). This short video will walk you through how easy this is to do using 3DVIA Shape.
We want to see your 3D models that you have created from pictures. Reply to this post with your examples.
Remember, we [...]

Create an entire umbrella in about 5 minutes.
To see all 3DVIA Shape Tips, click here for the 3DVIA Shape video tutorials.
For more information on our FREE 3D Modeling product, 3DVIA Shape, click here.

Floor plans on 2D sheets cannot give you a real feel of how a room will ultimately look. You can’t see the walls or furniture as they will actually appear in real life. This video details how easy it is to create a 3D floor plan for a very realistic view of any area:
This is [...]

Want to learn the robot walk? No, well how about three useful 3D Modeling techniques while building a robot? This should help with your entry for the Classic Transformers Challenge.
Check out this video, and you are sure to pick up some useful modeling tips.
Be sure to review all the detailed 3DVIA Shape Video Tips and [...]

This video shows how to use the Paint - Edit Position tool to simultaneously move or scale images.
To see all 3DVIA Shape Tips, click here for the 3DVIA Shape video tutorials.
For more information on our FREE 3D Modeling product, 3DVIA Shape, click here.

Video shows how to align textures to edges of shapes.
To see all 3DVIA Shape Tips, click here for the 3DVIA Shape video tutorials.
For more information on our FREE 3D Modeling product, 3DVIA Shape, click here.

This video quickly shows how to adjust textures using the “reshape custom material” icon in the Paint tool and drag the push pins to the edges of the texture you want to see. Then re-size the image with a single click.
To see all 3DVIA Shape Tips, click here for the 3DVIA Shape video tutorials.
For more information on [...]

Remove Z fighting or flickering by drawing a line to connect the two pieces of geometry in question.
To see all 3DVIA Shape Tips, click here for the 3DVIA Shape video tutorials.
For more information on our FREE 3D Modeling product, 3DVIA Shape, click here.

Create any shape using boolean operations.  This is easily done by connecting the two pieces of geometry with a line from one to another.
To see all 3DVIA Shape Tips, click here for the 3DVIA Shape video tutorials.
For more information on our FREE 3D Modeling product, 3DVIA Shape, click here.

Can’t adjust the exact rotation values, this video shows how to change the increments of rotation by moving closer or further away from the center of rotation.
To see all 3DVIA Shape Tips, click here for the 3DVIA Shape video tutorials.
For more information on our FREE 3D Modeling product, 3DVIA Shape, click here.

Video shows how to snap an object on the ground by copying and pasting geometry or by using reference points.
To see all 3DVIA Shape Tips, click here for the 3DVIA Shape video tutorials.
For more information on our FREE 3D Modeling product, 3DVIA Shape, click here.

Shows how to turn on or off grid snapping for sketching or pushing and pulling geometry.
To see all 3DVIA Shape Tips, click here for the 3DVIA Shape video tutorials.
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Align complex components using reference points and manipulator handles.
To see all 3DVIA Shape Tips, click here for the 3DVIA Shape video tutorials.
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Use the reference point to align geometry or rotate around a fixed axis point.
To see all 3DVIA Shape Tips, click here for the 3DVIA Shape video tutorials.
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Extrude along a straight line or revolve around an arc.
To see all 3DVIA Shape Tips, click here for the 3DVIA Shape video tutorials.
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Change the anchor point by click space bar while pasting geometry.
To see all 3DVIA Shape Tips, click here for the 3DVIA Shape video tutorials.
For more information on our FREE 3D Modeling product, 3DVIA Shape, click here.

Copy and rotate an element using the manipulator handles while holding the control key.
To see all 3DVIA Shape Tips, click here for the 3DVIA Shape video tutorials.
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Scale an element by box selecting and using the manipulator handles.
To see all 3DVIA Shape Tips, click here for the 3DVIA Shape video tutorials.
For more information on our FREE 3D Modeling product, 3DVIA Shape, click here.

Freeform deform can only modify surfaces with 4 faces. Add points or lines to form 4 edges.
To see all 3DVIA Shape Tips, click here for the 3DVIA Shape video tutorials.
For more information on our FREE 3D Modeling product, 3DVIA Shape, click here.

The Deform tool has multiple modes that exhibit different behaviors on selected surfaces. Use Move (Blue) mode to keep the selected face the same and modify outside geometry. Use the Modify (Green) mode to change the selected face.
To see all 3DVIA Shape Tips, click here for the 3DVIA Shape video tutorials.
For more information on our FREE 3D [...]

Use the Deform tool to move, modify, or deform faces.
To see all 3DVIA Shape Tips, click here for the 3DVIA Shape video tutorials.
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Learn how to quickly create a 3D ogival arch structure.
To see all 3DVIA Shape Tips, click here for the 3DVIA Shape video tutorials.
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Create an octagon by drawing two squares on top of each other at 45 degrees and removing extra faces.
To see all 3DVIA Shape Tips, click here for the 3DVIA Shape video tutorials.
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Create truncated, square, or tetrahedron pyramids.
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Change the radius of a circle, cylinder, sphere, or cone using the Deform tool in Modify mode.
To see all 3DVIA Shape Tips, click here for the 3DVIA Shape video tutorials.
For more information on our FREE 3D Modeling product, 3DVIA Shape, click here.

Create symmetric geometry by copying and pasting. Click the space bar to display flip handles.
To see all 3DVIA Shape Tips, click here for the 3DVIA Shape video tutorials.
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Use the copy and paste functionality to create patterns.
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Offset lines inferencing geometry in any plane.
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Learn how to create parallel lines using inferencing.
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Draw perpendicular lines on existing geometry or out in space using inferencing. Rotating the grid can also help with drawing perpendicular lines.
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Inference or reference existing lines and/or points by hovering over them before or after starting to sketch a line.
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Fill holes on surfaces by redrawing border edges or through the center of circles, etc.
To see all 3DVIA Shape Tips, click here for the 3DVIA Shape video tutorials.
For more information on our FREE 3D Modeling product, 3DVIA Shape, click here.

Draw lines tangent to circles. Create arcs tangent to two intersecting lines. Sketch two circles tangent to each other.
To see all 3DVIA Shape Tips, click here for the 3DVIA Shape video tutorials.
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Create cones, spheres, and donuts/torus.
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Learn how to select entire components with a single click.
To see all 3DVIA Shape Tips, click here for the 3DVIA Shape video tutorials.
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Easily select complex objects without selecting what is on the other side of the object.
To see all 3DVIA Shape Tips, click here for the 3DVIA Shape video tutorials.
For more information on our FREE 3D Modeling product, 3DVIA Shape, click here.

3DVIA Shape 3.0 has more freeform modeling tools, and makes creating non-square objects much easier.  New features include: revolve, mirroring, drawing on curved surfaces, deform, and offset.  Watch this 1.5 minute overview of what’s new in 3DVIA Shape 3.0.
For a free download of 3DVIA Shape, click here.
Be sure to check out the library of new [...]

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then what is a 3D model worth? Combining (or “remixing”) 3D models to create a large scene or assembly tells a story, and is easy to do. This video quickly walks you through how to remix models, and some benefits.
I only scratched the surface for the uses [...]