Abstract: A method for generating geometric data for a personalized object includes providing a polygonal model for the object, the polygonal model including a mesh formed by mesh elements that are separate points, edges and surfaces which represent a basic geometric shape of the object. The polygonal model has local attributes which are assigned to at least some of the mesh elements. A set of predefined tools for adaptation is also provided for deforming a region of the mesh of the polygonal model. The tools for adaptation are defined such that, when used on the mesh, a topology of the mesh remains, and that, when used, the local attributes of the mesh elements of the region are evaluated to determine a measurement of a local deformation. The polygonal model is then adapted by using the tools for adaptation.

Abstract: A 3D printer may precisely control deposition of diffusible chemical signals in different spatial regions of a solid polymer structure, in such a way that the concentration and spatial distribution of each diffusible chemical signal in each spatial region of the structure is independently controlled. A hydrogel containing genetically engineered, living organisms may be applied to a surface of the solid polymer structure. The living organisms may be single-celled organisms, such as bacteria. The diffusible chemical signals may diffuse out of the solid polymer structure and into the hydrogel, and may control gene expression of genetically engineered cells in different spatial locations in the hydrogel. Thus, gene expression of genetically-engineered cells in a hydrogel may be controlled on a region-by-region basis, by precisely controlling the position and concentration of diffusible chemical signals that are initially embedded in a solid structure adjacent to the hydrogel.

Abstract: An unorganized point cloud may be created by an optical 3D scanner that scans a physical object, or by computer simulation. The point cloud may be converted into binary raster layers, which encode material deposition instructions for a multi-material 3D printer. In many cases, this conversion—from point cloud to binary raster files—is achieved without producing a 3D voxel representation and without producing a boundary representation of the object to be printed. The conversion may involve spatial queries to find nearby points, filtering material properties of the found points, looking up material mixing ratios, and dithering to produce binary raster files. These raster files may be sent to a multi-material 3D printer to control fabrication of an object. A user interface may display a preview of the object to be printed, and may accept user input to create or modify a point cloud.

Abstract: An unorganized point cloud may be created by an optical 3D scanner that scans a physical object, or by computer simulation. The point cloud may be converted into binary raster layers, which encode material deposition instructions for a multi-material 3D printer. In many cases, this conversion—from point cloud to binary raster files—is achieved without producing a 3D voxel representation and without producing a boundary representation of the object to be printed. The conversion may involve spatial queries to find nearby points, filtering material properties of the found points, looking up material mixing ratios, and dithering to produce binary raster files. These raster files may be sent to a multi-material 3D printer to control fabrication of an object. A user interface may display a preview of the object to be printed, and may accept user input to create or modify a point cloud.