Autodesk releases 123D Catch for iPad

A teaser for Autodesk’s 123D apps, including the new iPad version of image-based modelling tool 123D Catch. We’re not sure quite why you’d want to create a model of a bunch of flowers that looked quite like that, though…

Autodesk has released 123D Catch, its free image-based modelling tool, as an iPad app. (Actually, it came out last week, but we haven’t seen the news posted in many places yet.)

The software, originally known as Project Photofly, enables users to upload photographs of object to the cloud and download the resulting model in OBJ or DWG format.

The new app seems almost identical to the desktop version, only even more automated: you can take the photos with the iPad’s built-in camera, and navigate the model via the pad’s touchscreen controls or the gyro.

If you want to try it, you’ll need an iPad 2 or newer running iOS 5.0 and above.

New export options for 123D Sculpt
In separate news, Autodesk has updated sculpting app 123D Sculpt, adding the option to export your model as an OBJ with PNG textures: a significant step forward, since the original release didn’t offer any export options.

Again, you’ll need iOS 5.0, although that one works with any edition of the iPad.

Download 123D Catch for iPad via the App Store

Visit the 123D Catch website

Download 123D Sculpt 1.02 via the App Store

Visit the 123D Sculpt website