Magic3D

Magic3D is a modeling application that enables both beginner and experienced graphicians to work with 3D objects, design and reconstruct meshes and process images. While it cannot be compared to professional 3D modeling suites, some of its features can prove useful to any designer.

Its main interface provides convenient access to all the tools and options, but it is quite annoying that there is no text explanations to tell you what each button does. You might want to take a look at the documentation before using the application.

Magic3D allows point cloud processing, providing support for multiple file formats, such as OBJ, OFF and STL. You can manipulate the object (full rotation, zoom in, zoom out) using the mouse only, as there are no options or buttons that you can use.

It features options for normal cloud point generation, sampling, smoothing and outlier removal. In addition to this, you can use it to reconstruct the original mesh or add noise to the loaded object.

One of its most important features is the possibility to record data from a Kinect device that is connected to your computer. It is capable of rendering the recorded data and save the scene in ONI format. Then, you can use the dedicated ONI file player to rebuild the depth data.

The application can also be used for generating digital relief from a 3D mesh, while the integrated image comes with a content aware picture resizing tool. This means that the Magic3D will try to analyze the content of the image and resize it in such a way that important elements are not distorted.

Magic3D could use some improvements to make it easier to use, but the Kinect recording tool and the mesh manipulation options are promising. Unfortunately, it cannot be used to create a design from scratch, but only open existing 3D objects.