FEATURES

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DeskProto is meant for any company that needs in-house facilities for Rapid Prototyping. RP means converting a 3D CAD model of a design into a physical model (prototype). This can be achieved either by stacking many thin layers (Additive RP) or by removing chips from a block (Subtractive RP). Stereolithography machines and other layer oriented systems are far too expensive, however a small NC milling machine combined with DeskProto is affordable: offering Desktop Prototyping.

Main application areas are Concept Modelling (using physical models during the concept stage of the design process) and the creation of styling block models for presentation purposes. In some cases even manufacturing is possible: for instance wax models for jewelry (investment casting). The advantages of in-house RP are clear: you no longer have to wait a number of days, your prototype is ready within hours! The design process will clearly be accelerated.

In fact, DeskProto is a 3D CAM program that is aimed at RP. Main difference with other 3D CAM software is that DeskProto is aimed at designers instead of at CAM specialists. Do note that two editions of DeskProto are available: Full and Lite, the latter offering a subset of DeskProto's functionality. As a third edition also the previous version of DeskProto Full (V 4.2) is available. You can compare the features of these three editions in the Comparison table.

This perfume bottle has been modelled by Iris Timmers, and has been transferred from 3D CAD to DeskProto by STL file. On the left DeskProto screen the triangles can be seen. On the right screen a rendering of the bottle is shown: the default visualization by DeskProto.

The starting point for DeskProto is a STL file. This file type is standard for all types of Rapid Prototyping, and contains a geometry-description in the form of small triangles connected at their edges to form a surface. Any current 3D CAD-system is able to write this type of file. Also DXF files containing "3D Faces" (like from 3D Studio Max) and VRML files can be processed. It is not possible to create new geometry in DeskProto (it is not CAD software, it is about Rapid Prototyping).

DeskProto reads the STL file and displays its contents. At this point it is possible to scale the geometry, translate, rotate etc. After entering some milling parameters (type of cutting tool, required accuracy, etc) DeskProto will automatically calculate the milling paths. No danger for damaging the model as the paths are gouge-free !
In addition DeskProto can also import 2D DXF files, for 2D Operations. Here DeskProto can only do simple 2D jobs in addition to it's 3D functionality. Since Version 5.0 DeskProto also can import 2D Bitmap files, and convert these to 3D reliefs using a Grey-value to Z-height conversion.

Run the toolpath program on the desktop NC milling machine in your own office, and you will have your prototype ready within a few hours !

In order to avoid misunderstandings it is also good to briefly state what DeskProto does NOT offer:
- With DeskProto you cannot model your geometry: for modelling a CAD program is needed instead (see the list on our Links pages ).
- With DeskProto you cannot create slices for a Stereolithography or other layer stacking RP machines.
- DeskProto is no 2D or 2.5D CAM program. It is great for even the most complex freeformed 3D geometry, however not the most efficient for straightforward 2.5D objects (machining a hole with one 2D circular move is more efficient than with any 3D strategy).
- DeskProto does not output step and direction pulses to directly drive a milling machine: for that you need Control software instead (see the Introduction to CAM ).

DeskProto is a MS Windows application (it needs Win 2000, XP, Vista or newer). On 64 bits Windows versions a 64 bits DeskProto will be installed, otherwise a 32 bits version. In order to run DeskProto a user needs to have administrative privileges. Non-Windows platforms are not supported.
Note that the 64 bits version of Windows Vista contains a bug which prevents DeskProto to switch off the Aero interface, resulting in display problems (invisible geometry in DeskProto). You can manually correct this, see the last post in the Vista thread on the forum.
Minimum required hardware is a Pentium PC with 32 MB RAM, 40 MB of free disk space and a USB port for the dongle (parallel dongle version available on request). However, in order to minimize waiting times a fast machine with more RAM is strongly recommended. We also recommend the use of a 3D graphics card that supports OpenGL :

DeskProto is reported to run OK on an Apple Mac under Mac OS X using the Parallels Desktop Win XP emulation software. Even the USB dongle of the licensed version is recognized.

NOTE: for a printable version of any page on this website, use the PRINT-button at the left.