Homebrew 3D Modeling and Sculpting on the 3DS

Axonic3D · Sep 13, 2024

Hi there!

Is there such a thing as a 3D modeling/sculpting app for the 3DS or even the DS? I love using my 3DS to create all sorts of art, especially since I bring it with me nearly everywhere I go. As happy as I am to be able to make drawings with apps like Colors! 3D and Junk Draw by haloopdy or even animations with Flipnote Studio 3D, I'd love to get into making 3D models on the console too.

The closest I could find is a SmileBASIC app called P3D Engine (Petit3D Engine) which comes with a 3D modeling app. The base app (as in, SmileBASIC itself) shouldn't be too hard to learn and by doing so I could add all sorts of features, even making games and animations out of it. I just need to put the time in to learn it though, and gosh knows all the time I spend making something impressive I could've done something actually useful in Blender on my laptop or somethin'.

There's also this guy by the name of Dante Leoncini who created a Blender clone/port for Nokia 95 of all things. That too led me to wonder if the same could be done or even exists for either the 3DS or DS.

TL;DR: Are there any apps akin to Blender, Z-Sculpt, Nomad Sculpt, etc. for making 3D models or sculptures on the 3DS or DS?

Jayro · Sep 13, 2024

No. The 3DS simply doesn't have the RAM needed for such a feat. Not to mention the graphics capabilities are very rudimentary. Somebody might port PicoCAD over, but that's about it.

Axonic3D · Sep 13, 2024

Jayro said:
No. The 3DS simply doesn't have the RAM needed for such a feat. Not to mention the graphics capabilities are very rudimentary. Somebody might port PicoCAD over, but that's about it.

Honestly, PicoCAD on the 3DS would be dope. I'm down for simple apps, it's why I love Flipnote Studio 3D and Junk Draw so much. Petit3D Engine isn't too different from PicoCAD too, though I'd like to think a port of the latter would feel more streamlined.

Stefano_Lassandro · Sep 21, 2024

Jayro said:
No. The 3DS simply doesn't have the RAM needed for such a feat. Not to mention the graphics capabilities are very rudimentary. Somebody might port PicoCAD over, but that's about it.

If you're crazy enough and a good enough programmer, it's probably possible to even run an extremely stripped down version of a 3D modeling software resembling blender.
Just like this guy did with a Nokia N95:
(The Nokia N95 has 64 MB of RAM)

kijetesantakalu042 · Oct 29, 2024

It might be a fun project to try

(I program for the 3ds) I might look into it.

Axonic3D · Oct 30, 2024

kijetesantakalu042 said:
It might be a fun project to try (I program for the 3ds) I might look into it.

If ya come up with anything and need someone to test it out, I'd be more than happy to mess with it and report all sorts of findings!

Curious question: say you were to conceptualize the app on the spot, how would you go about making a 3D modeling app for the 3DS? As someone who knows next to nothing about programming I'm genuinely curious as to how any of these apps even work in the first place or how people even come up with making them.

kijetesantakalu042 · Oct 30, 2024

Axonic3D said:
If ya come up with anything and need someone to test it out, I'd be more than happy to mess with it and report all sorts of findings!

Curious question: say you were to conceptualize the app on the spot, how would you go about making a 3D modeling app for the 3DS? As someone who knows next to nothing about programming I'm genuinely curious as to how any of these apps even work in the first place or how people even come up with making them.

I'd probably make it based off of extrusion. The top screen would show a preview and the bottom screen would show an isometric view of the geometry. You would select geometry and extrude it.

By the way, what would the manual version of a blender be called?

Axonic3D · Oct 30, 2024

kijetesantakalu042 said:
I'd probably make it based off of extrusion. The top screen would show a preview and the bottom screen would show an isometric view of the geometry. You would select geometry and extrude it.

I immediately thought of Doom, despite having never made Doom maps myself. My understanding is that one makes a shape, extrudes it, and if possible a texture is applied to the surface of that shape. That works for environment/level design, though if we're talking simple then I'm at least seeking something akin to making characters out of blocks, spheres, and triangles. Sorta like how Mario's model in SM64 consists of a bunch of spherical objects, especially with the body and limbs.

Another alternative would be literally making Doom-like scenes where the environment is made of textured extrusions while characters and objects are sprites laid around the scene. At that rate, one may as well make a "3DS raytracing game maker," if I'm wording it correctly (I wouldn't be opposed to it, actually).

kijetesantakalu042 said:
By the way, what would the manual version of a blender be called?

The manual version, as in... by hand? Chopping things with a knife? I dunno if that's a serious question I'm misunderstanding or a joke that flew over my head.

kijetesantakalu042 · Oct 30, 2024

Axonic3D said:
I immediately thought of Doom, despite having never made Doom maps myself. My understanding is that one makes a shape, extrudes it, and if possible a texture is applied to the surface of that shape.

It's definitely similar but there are differences.

Axonic3D said:
That works for environment/level design, though if we're talking simple then I'm at least seeking something akin to making characters out of blocks, spheres, and triangles. Sorta like how Mario's model in SM64 consists of a bunch of spherical objects, especially with the body and limbs.

I could definitely add presets for basic shapes. From what I know of 3d modeling isn't it a common workflow to extrude points to make faces and other things? (Don't know a ton about 3d modeling) Edit: I saw that kind of technique here. It may not be the best way but it is a definitely is a way to do it.

Axonic3D said:
The manual version, as in... by hand? Chopping things with a knife? I dunno if that's a serious question I'm misunderstanding or a joke that flew over my head.

I was trying to figure out a name for my program.

Axonic3D · Oct 30, 2024

kijetesantakalu042 said:
I saw that kind of technique here. It may not be the best way but it is a definitely is a way to do it.

Oooh yeah I can work with that. It's not too different from working with vector paths, except in 3D unlike Illustrator and InkScape.

kijetesantakalu042 said:
I was trying to figure out a name for my program.

Ah got it. I'd say something close to how you model in the app would be a nice fit too. Extruder, X-trude, Pathway (since that method of modeling resembles making paths, least to me), etc. As for names opposite to Blender, Chop Block, Chopper, Stitcher are all that come to my mind. I could go on and on tho.

Exnor · Oct 30, 2024

Stefano_Lassandro said:
If you're crazy enough and a good enough programmer, it's probably possible to even run an extremely stripped down version of a 3D modeling software resembling blender.
Just like this guy did with a Nokia N95:
(The Nokia N95 has 64 MB of RAM)

Very interesting video.

I also think the N95 potential was never used. I had one for years and i loved it.

Thanks for the share.

TheStonedModder · Oct 30, 2024

kijetesantakalu042 said:
I'd probably make it based off of extrusion. The top screen would show a preview and the bottom screen would show an isometric view of the geometry. You would select geometry and extrude it.

By the way, what would the manual version of a blender be called?

Wouldn’t a manual version of blender just be CAD? You just described fusion360 or openSCAD(open source fusion360)

kijetesantakalu042 · Oct 30, 2024

TheStonedModder said:
Wouldn’t a manual version of blender just be CAD? You just described fusion360 or openSCAD(open source fusion360)

not like the software. I mean like the tool. I need a name for the software.

Axonic3D · Nov 10, 2024

Found this simple 3D modeling software written in C called ShapeUp, by Daniel Chase Hooper. Even attempted making a quick model myself using the browser version. At a glace I've noticed that certain 3DS homebrew apps are written in C, which led me to thinking of the possibility of an app like this being made for (or even ShapeUp itself getting ported to) the 3DS. The biggest downside this app has is a lack of a save feature. Posting it here as a means of inspiration. If I knew even a lick of C programming (or any programming at all), I'd make an attempt myself. I don't even know the "why" of whether or not porting this app would be possible.

ShapeUp Blog Post: https://danielchasehooper.com/posts/shapeup/
ShapeUp Source: https://github.com/danielchasehooper/ShapeUp-public

My attempt at making a model through the browser version, on my laptop:

Edit: Checking out his video on making the app, he claims and even shows in the video that models can be saved, but as you can see in my screenshots, those buttons aren't there and there are no signs of any shortcuts for doing so. Just thought I'd mention this considering I claimed there's no way to save models only to find out there apparently is.

kijetesantakalu042 · Nov 10, 2024

Axonic3D said:
Found this simple 3D modeling software written in C called ShapeUp, by Daniel Chase Hooper. Even attempted making a quick model myself using the browser version. At a glace I've noticed that certain 3DS homebrew apps are written in C, which led me to thinking of the possibility of an app like this being made for (or even ShapeUp itself getting ported to) the 3DS. The biggest downside this app has is a lack of a save feature. Posting it here as a means of inspiration. If I knew even a lick of C programming (or any programming at all), I'd make an attempt myself. I don't even know the "why" of whether or not porting this app would be possible.

ShapeUp Blog Post: https://danielchasehooper.com/posts/shapeup/
ShapeUp Source: https://github.com/danielchasehooper/ShapeUp-public

My attempt at making a model through the browser version, on my laptop:
View attachment 470433 View attachment 470434 View attachment 470435 View attachment 470436
Edit: Checking out his video on making the app, he claims and even shows in the video that models can be saved, but as you can see in my screenshots, those buttons aren't there and there are no signs of any shortcuts for doing so. Just thought I'd mention this considering I claimed there's no way to save models only to find out there apparently is.

I should probably stop procrastinating and make a small prototype of the app.

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