We’re thrilled to introduce the new version 6.1 of the MindCAD software suite, packed with powerful updates that streamline workflows and elevate visual quality across design, rendering, and variant management.
Highlights include: full-color 3D printing via multi-material OBJ export, new stitching over imported meshes, render templates for fast consistent views, transparency in Advanced (PBR) materials, a remesh/simplify tool for imported components, and major improvements in Last and Variant Builder modules.
This 6.1 release further accelerates concept-to-prototype with smarter tools and seamless consistency across applications.
General Updates
3D Print: Multi material support
3D models can now be exported with their original materials and textures in OBJ format, enabling full-colour 3D printing, inside the 3D printing options.
Compatible with printers such as Mimaki and Stratasys for true-to-design, high-quality results.
New option found in Export > 3D Printable Triangle Mesh
Support for stitch lines over imported components
A new 3D Line Tool lets you draw lines directly on imported mesh components (e.g., soles, accessories) and quickly apply stitches.
Simply drag and drop a stitch from the library onto the line or select the line and choose a stitch type to apply instantly.
Accessory Sync Update
When editing an accessory that already exists in the current model, all its instances are automatically updated and synchronized once changes are saved.
By going to File > Save > … You can save as one object or as multiple objects, just like in the “Close and Save” menu
Render Templates
You can now create and manage Render Templates.
Templates store render settings and camera position, allowing you to add, remove, or update them for faster, consistent rendering.
Can be found in your Realistic Render settings, shown when Realistic mode is on Enabled in View > Render Mode > Realistic.
Advanced Materials creation enhancements
Create materials in CAD3D with support for transparency and diffuse colour properties.
You can also use a local image file or a texture from the CAD3D Texture Library as input, blending it with the diffuse colour for greater flexibility when defining materials.
Remesh tool (for imported components)
New Simplify Geometry option in the Components menu lets you reduce mesh density by up to 10× using a Trim Factor.
The tool's dialog provides detailed mesh data information, including vertex/face counts and average triangle size comparing the original and simplified versions.
Including vertex/face counts and average triangle size comparing the original and simplified versions.
Option can be found in Components > Simplify Mesh
Transparency support for PBR Materials
Transparency is now supported for Normal Materials in Realistic Render, and for Advanced (PBR) Materials in both Realistic Render and Online Render modes.
Applied automatically to all transparency levels.
MindCAD Last V6.1
Last extensions
Create Last Bottom Supplements, with export to .STL and .OBJ formats for 3D printing or integration into other workflows.
To preserve the original Last, use Last Manager → Clone, keeping both the base model and the supplemented version available in MindCAD 3D.
Finally, regenerate the Last flattening with the added extension, to ensure the new geometry is correctly included.
To Create and Edit your extensions go to Last > Supplements
MindCAD Variant Builder V6.1
Support to change and update options thumbnails size
A new Style menu in the Variant Builder lets you choose from five different thumbnail sizes for the materials used in Options.
When a size is selected, all material thumbnails associated to Options are regenerated automatically, and the resized versions are included in exports—ensuring consistency across other Mind products like the Catalog Builder and POS.
To change your thumbnail size go to Style > Set Options Thumbnail Size
View mode for multiple 3D variants simultaneously
A new Compare Variants option in the View menu lets you open and view multiple variants side by side.
You can choose which variants to display, with synchronized camera views across all windows for seamless comparisons.
To access this option go to View > Compare Variants
