When you’re bakin’ up 3D models daily, you’ve likely got your standards and purchase parts modeled up and ready to go, a system in place to create them, or a snarky intern with an old set of calipers ready to do your bidding. We’ve gone past thinking it could be found at an online model repo but, if Thangs has their way, that may soon change.
Thangs is a new search engine from deep learning 3D geometry search developers Physna. Founded in 2015, they’ve spent the last several years wranglin’ their very own deep learning data tech that’s set to take 3D search beyond the attempts we’ve seen over the past two decades.
It’s a 3D Search Thang
On the surface, Thangs is a simple 3D search engine interface that includes search by text or model upload. With their launch, they have more than one million 3D models with plans to continuously add more.
Models include those native to the platform, along with other 3D models aggregated from sites like Thingiverse, Parker, McMaster-Carr (my fav), and others.
General search and search by model do not require an account but viewing a model does. With an account, features include the ability to (for models native to the search engine) like, download, version, and comment on models. Uploading models to search or version are limited to 250MB but supported formats include common native CAD formats as well as neutral formats. Models may be viewed in 3D with solid, wireframe, and transparent model modes and edge/face color options.
Each person with an account has a profile. You can choose to follow them and also view models they’ve uploaded and liked. On your own personal profile, you can create folders to organize your model or create a team folder to collaborate on models.
Overall, the platform is pretty fresh, basic in capabilities with the power under the hood that will become more evident with more models added and more searches performed. With search as the primary use, I’d like to see more emphasis on search capability with categories, filtering, and advanced search options. For models, I’d like to see more viewing options, format/meta info, and differentiating between versioned and geometrically similar. Profiles and teams could have some interesting aspects and there’s obviously an argument for integration with 3D software which may start proprietary data spasms for some.
Physna All Up Inya (Model) Face
Underneath Thangs is Physna‘s “proprietary algorithms and advanced geometric deep learning technology” that “codifies 3D models into detailed data that is understandable by software applications.” Their enterprise options bring this in-house to help companies sort and sift the endless bounty of 3D data in their massive CAD and PLM systems.
You can read more about the features of Physna’s technology but to sum it up, it includes:
Geometry Search
Search models with 3D model, partial model, geometric measurements or model data. Physna’s AI finds more model matches by predicting descriptions, classifications, cost, materials and more.
Model Analysis
View differences between model geometry and model specifications in 3D, without need to install or use the originating CAD system.
Artificial Intelligence
Learns from existing models through meta data and information searching for models based on AI predictions, capable of production, cost, material, manufacturing, supplier prediction.
In turn, Thangs delivers this tech to the wide array of public models across the web. A single site to consolidate and streamline the online model mayhem seems daunting so it’s going to be interesting to see how the platform grows and if it could be the model search to end all model search… or to start it… improve it? You know what I mean.
An account that allows complete and unlimited use, download, and upload is free, so hop over to thangs.com, check it out, and let me know what you think of the new 3D model search.
