Presented in May 2022, ShapeDiver is an online service accessible through web browsers that allows users to upload and share 3D models called parametric models—interactive designs that can be modified in real time by altering parameters set by the designer. These modifications can change texture, dimensions, and spatial position without requiring technical knowledge from the user.
Parametric models serve as an effective tool for engaging customers in product customization, whether of the 3D model itself or a physical product. Clients can adjust models according to their preferences within the bounds established by the designer, creating personalized versions that customers value more than mass-produced alternatives.
How Parametric Design Works
Parametric design offers two fundamental advantages: customer participation increases perceived value of the final product, and the design process remains simple and accessible to non-experts. When parameters are modified, changes appear in real time within a CAD system, and any adjustment can be instantly exported as production-ready files.
ShapeDiver allows designers to embed the 3D viewer and modification interface directly into their own websites, enabling customers to customize and place orders without switching platforms. The ShapeDiver viewer is a JavaScript application that creates a WebGL context around a 3D model and opens an API for interacting with model parameters and the 3D scene.
Creating Models with Grasshopper
Models uploaded to ShapeDiver must be in .gh or .ghx formats, created using Rhinoceros software with parameters assigned through the Grasshopper plug-in. Grasshopper requires no prior programming knowledge and enables users to create generative algorithms without writing code. Changes are visualized through a node diagram that describes the mathematical and geometric relationships of a three-dimensional model. One of Grasshopper’s main advantages is the ability to alter geometry extensively by simply changing parameter values. Once a project is created and the file exported, it can be uploaded to ShapeDiver with either public or private visibility, then embedded on a designer’s website for customer customization.
Frequently asked questions
What file formats does ShapeDiver accept?
ShapeDiver accepts models in .gh or .ghx formats, created with Rhinoceros software and the Grasshopper plug-in.
Do customers need design experience to customize models?
No—customers can modify parametric models in real time by adjusting designer-controlled parameters without any technical or design knowledge required.
Can ShapeDiver be integrated into a business website?
Yes, the ShapeDiver viewer can be embedded directly into a designer’s website, allowing customers to customize products and place orders without leaving the site.