TopMod

TopMod is an open-source topological mesh modeler which can be integrated into any modeling pipeline. The generated models can also be printed using a 3D printer. The purpose of this cross-platform 3D modelling tool is to create high genus 2-manifold (watertight) meshes by dynamically altering their topology.

The portable mode ensures that your Windows registry doesn't get bloated with registry entries. Plus, you can copy the utility on any USB flash drive or other devices and run it on the target system without having administrative privileges.

TopMod integrates a wide range of dedicated parameters but the layout doesn’t look crowded at all. It actually sports a clean design that allows you to add objects in the working environment by performing a double-click on the target one.

You may work with different objects (primitives), such as cube, octahedron, tetrahedron, dodecahedron, icosahedron, soccer ball and geodesic dome. A small floating panel reveals a set of dedicated parameters that can be tweaked for each object.

TopMod gives you the freedom to import/export data from/to OBJ or DLFL file format and export the workspace to PNG file format. You may load textures from JPG or PNG file format.

The application lets you undo or redo your actions, clear the undo list, switch between different renders (e.g. Wireframe, Normal, Lighted, Textured), reset the camera, show vertices, IDs, silhouettes, wireframe and coordinate axes, reverse the object, zoom in or out of the item, as well as enable the full screen view. When it comes to selection modes, you may opt for different options, such as edge loop and ring, edges from faces or vertices, and face loop.

A set of advanced utilities is put at your disposal in order to help you model your design. They are organized in different categories, such as Basics (e.g. insert, delete, collapse and connect edges), Extrusion (e.g. Icosahedral, Stellate, Dome), Conical (cut by edge, vortex or face), and High Genus (e.g. add hole/handle, apply column modelling).

You can perform several object-oriented operations, namely create wireframes and columns, enable the cutting mode, subdivide all edges, make the object spherical or smooth, compute lighting, and assign texture coordinates.

TopMod implements a set of remeshing tasks that help you remodel the object using various types of conversion and preservation modules.

When it comes to configuration settings, you can turn on the automatic saving mode, specify the default saving directory, alter the colors for the wireframe, silhouette, selected face and edge, modify the light intensity, wireframe thickness, vertex size and normal thickness, assign shortcuts for various features, as well as change the looks of the app by selecting between several themes.

All things considered, TopMod embeds a comprehensive suite of features for helping you define and build mesh models using a unique modeling paradigm, and is suitable for designers, architects and developers. On the downside, the program hasn’t been updated for a while, so it may cause compatibility issues on newer operating systems.