User:L A Kemel/sandbox

This page is about 3-matic Medical and Research part of the software package Mimics Innovation Suite (Medical or Research Edition).

3-matic is a software that combines CAD tools with pre-processing (meshing) capabilities. It works on triangulated (STL) files which makes it suitable for freeform 3D data, like the anatomical data coming from the segmentation of medical images (from Mimics). As such, 3-matic is a tool that enables Anatomical CAD for ‘Engineering on Anatomy’. The modules that can be obtained for 3-matic allow users to perform 3D measurements and analyses (e.g. for medical device verification on real anatomy), design patient-specific implants or surgical guides, prepare educative anatomical models or benchtop models for 3D Printing or to prepare a mesh for patient-specific finite element analysis.

The software comes in two editions: Research and Medical. Only 3-matic Medical may be used for the design or manufacturing of medical devices of any kind. 3-matic Research is intended for research purposes only.

Design Module
-Design 3D models, custom implants and surgical guides
 * Design patient-specific implants with freeform curve tools


 * Perform CAD operations on 3D models: Booleans, extrude, sweep, hollow, etc.


 * Design complex features with sketches, 3D curves and push/pull surface tools.


 * Finish 3D design with trimming, smoothing, morphing and chamfer edges.


 * Create patient-specific or population-based benchtop models

Analysis Module
-Analyze anatomy and pathology, verify device fit and performance
 * Indicate landmarks and annotate


 * Calculate areas, volumes and surfaces


 * Project 3D measurements in 2D anatomical planes


 * Characterize anatomical features with primitives and centerlines


 * Compare aligned objects


 * Analyze curvature or thickness

Anatomical Reverse Engineering Module
-Prepare geometry data for interoperability with CAD, FEA and CFD
 * Convert STL files to IGES and STEP files and export anatomical models for design in traditional CAD packages

FEA Module
-Prepare accurate meshes for computational modeling simulations
 * Generate and export finite element meshes for FEA and CFD studies


 * Optimize meshes by controlling global or local mesh sizes and quality


 * Create boundary surfaces


 * Create multi-part assembly meshes

Import & Export Formats
3-matic may be used to import anatomical data and other 3D objects in STL format or in numerous CAD formats including: CATIA, IGES, STEP, etc. Once objects have been loaded, they can be used for measuring, designing, modeling and 3D printing.

Output file formats differ, depending on the subsequent application: common 3D output formats include STL, VRML, PLY and DXF. The 3D files can also be optimized for FEA or CFD and can therefore be exported into Abaqus (INP format), Ansys (CDB and MSH format), Nastran (NAS format), Patran (OUT format) and to COMSOL (MPHTXT format). To continue with Computer-Aided Design, the files can be exported in IGES or STEP format or as Point Cloud.

Other export formats include txt, IGES, STEP, xml, 3D pdf, BMP, JPG, DICOM.

Common Application Areas

 * Cardiovascular


 * Cranio-maxillofacial


 * Orthopaedic


 * Veterinary


 * Natural Sciences: paleontology, biology, forensics, archaeology, …


 * Material Sciences