NASA Cassini
3D Print File to Online Rendering
The Cassini spacecraft was modified from an STL (Stereolithography) file prepared by NASA. I modified the STL file and implemented 3D rendering software. What is 3D Printing?
Swipe to View. Double Tap Zoom.
STL for Online Render
Swipe to rotate and double tap to zoom the 3D spacecraft.
I modified and ported the STL file for display online. STL files are used for 3D printing. What is 3D Printing?.
Patience
Please be patient as the Cassini download may take time. The model includes many vertices.
Model Preparation
The model was imported to 3ds Max then simplified. Vertices were removed to decrease the file size. Large file sizes take too long to download and initialize.
Within 3ds Max I added some lights and
baked the texture with Render to Texture
,
exported the model as a DAE file then
converted to WebGL arrays with
3D Translator
.
I implemented 3D Translator
with Visual Studio .NET for the Windows platform.
You may download 3D Translator
from the Microsoft Store
or this Website's main domain, https://7Thunders.biz.
3D Rendering Software
3D rendering software was implemented with JavaScript, WebGL and GLSL (C Language). Most of the code's available to download with the Learn WebGL series of Kindle books.
The following NASA quote provides an overview of Cassini's current status.
Cassini Information
After two decades in space, NASA's Cassini spacecraft is nearing the end of its remarkable journey of exploration. Having expended almost every bit of the rocket propellant it carried to Saturn, operators are deliberately plunging Cassini into the planet to ensure Saturn's moons will remain pristine for future exploration.
What is 3D Printing?
3D printing creates a three dimensional object from a file. Most 3D prints originate with a 3D model, digital media, or CAD file. A common 3D print file format, called Stereolithography (STL), can be used to create parts, models, patterns, prototypes and even houses. 3D printers apply a variety of technologies to create practically any shape you can imagine.
3D Prints Online
Display your 3D printing files on the Web, before expensive prints.
Often STL files require careful modifications, including simplified modeling and texturing techniques, to reduce file size. Reducing file size, decreases download time. Unedited STL files won't display on some mobile devices, due to their large file size.
Reduce File Size
Render to texture (RTT) decreases the need for some online processing. RTT can capture light, shadow, texture and other details in one texture map. With RTT, models can display beautiful details while minimizing operations within the shaders.
