When software developer Additive Appearance came out of stealth mode, we didn’t expect it to be vendor-agnostic. Given the current context of AM, that’s probably the ideal business model. The spin-off from Charles University that turned stealth mode off in 2023, launches a full-color slicing and DfAM (Design for Additive Manufacturing) software for multi-material, inkjet-based 3D printing technologies.
Named PrismSlicer, this slicing software completes a portfolio that already includes a simulation software solution.
As a reminder, slicing software bridges the gap between design and production. As the name implies, it translates a 3D model into instructions that a 3D printer can understand and execute.
PrismSlicer could especially deliver high-fidelity color reproduction, precise volumetric control, and save material in the process, targeting applications across industrial design, healthcare, dental, model making, education, and rapid prototyping.
Its key strength would be the integration of a photorealistic rendering engine, material-aware slicing algorithms, and volumetric, voxel-level authoring precision, which help users to significantly reduce trial-and-error, avoid failed print iterations, and speed up production timelines.
“Many users struggle to anticipate how a print will turn out, especially with complex gradients and intricate color textures,” said Tobias Rittig, Ph.D., CTO at Additive Appearance. “We built PrismSlicer to eliminate that uncertainty. With precise previews and interactive controls, it becomes much easier to get it right on the first print.”
Its key features include:
- Photorealistic visualization: See designs with full material realism, including translucency, before starting a print job
- Automatic color and texture optimization: Automated spectral color correction and dither pattern optimization based on device-specific material profiles
- Volumetric design tools: Combine pre-sliced or textured objects with 3D gradients and digital materials
- Flexible hardware compatibility: Works seamlessly with established ecosystems, including Stratasys PolyJet, Quantica NovoJet, and can be integrated into custom inkjet setups
- Cross-Platform Support: The software runs on Windows, MacOS and Linux.
“The early version released in collaboration with Quantica validated our core technology,” noted Rittig. “Now, the full-featured PrismSlicer is here and it’s ready to support a much wider user base across multiple ecosystems.”
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