We can find quite a few interesting 3D modeling and graphical design tools developed under a GPL license. Amongst the latter, we have to point out this MeshLab, an interesting piece of software to process and edit triangular meshes for 3D designs. The first version was published back in 2005 and ever since then it has been used in different research, teaching and project development fields.

The aim of this program is to allow us to handle large-sized meshes, being able to edit, render and convert them to other file formats. All the latter, so that they can be processed to prepare 3D printing models.

Main features and functions

This tool offers us the following functions to develop projects of this nature:

• Adjustment of 3D models.
• View and presentation.
• Color processing.
• Color and texture mapping.
• Preparation for 3D printing.
• Model cleaning.
• Model verification.
• Scaling, positioning, and orientation.
• Conversion and exchange of models.
• Simplification, fine-tuning, and remeshing.
• Image integration.
• Size adjustment and analysis.