nTopology Reviews

Shifting from classic CAD software to nTopology is a radical leap. I interfaced with another way of working and thinking. This software is able to open new paths, such as the possibility of reusing the same workflow for other geometries and sharing it with colleagues. This is a unique time-saving in the working environment.

In addition, implicit modelling is truly something unique, fields allow you to exploit the full potential of mathematics and physics.

There are many other interesting aspects such as the possibility of being helped by the community through their tutorials and videos and the possibility of having a constantly updated software (a new release comes out every month).

From lattice structures' point of view, it is the most complete on the market, but also topological optimization and simulation-driven engineering tools are amazing. Additionally, the ability to import multiphysics simulations from other software is great.

I truly suggest this software to whom want to take advantage of all the benefits of Additive manufacturing.

I suffer a lot from having to export complex geometries in STL format. To increase the level of detail I have to decrease the size of the mesh but this makes the files very heavy to be managed by some printer slicers I work with.

I'm sure that nTop team is already working to fix this.

It would be a dream having the version for macOS (optimized for the new M1 processor, maybe something epic).

Don't be scared if you struggle at first, it's part of the normal software learning curve. Keep up to date with the video tutorials.

Mainly I can solve problems related to topological optimization and integration of lattice structures conformal to mechanical analysis (FEA).

Quick design generation for very complex parts and lattice structures

Needs to improve FE meshing controls. Hard to make FE analysis using the workflow.

If you are looking a tool to develop a workflow for industry nTopology can be the answer. They are developing the platform quite rapidly.

I am designing Energy absorption lattices, They are quick to generate and once we have a workflow ready it takes very less time to generate more designs using the same template.

nTop is a critical tool for designers looking to push the boundaries of additive manufacturing technologies. It allows you to take base CAD from your favorite modeling software and create extremely complex geometries that would break traditional software. Everything is math and data driven, making it lightweight, flexible, smart, and customizable. It has allowed us approach design problems in novel ways that make our design work that much more exciting. Once you figure out a useful workflow, there are ways to package it and reuse it for other parts, saving design time. Their support team is great and the software is constantly updating and improving in response to customer feedback. Their novel computation method lends itself to so much untapped functionality and I'm excited to see the new applications that continue to develop.

My biggest struggle is exporting complex meshes at times. It can be done but feels sub-optimal and time consuming compared to how lightweight and easy to use the rest of the software is. I know this is something they are aware of and I am excited to see improvements.

Do the trial! There is a learning curve but it is so powerful.

Latticing and Complex Structures / Workflow Automation / Mass Customization / Aesthetic Design / Topology Optimization

The interface of nTopology is extremely intuitive and operates through a system of function blocks that act as visual code. Similar to Rhino, functions are found using a search bar which is one of my favorite features to have when designing. The team has worked extremely hard behind the scenes to allow users to execute complex design manipulations with only very few user inputs. The beauty of these function blocks is that you can deconstruct them to see exactly how it was made behind the scenes if you wanted to.

I started using their software at the end of 2018 in the 'Element' version of the software and the programs advancement since then as been astronomical, particularly with the introduction of implicit field-based modeling. This form of modeling allows users to execute basic functions with little to no failure but also allows them to harness significant control over their manipulations. For me, the ability for users to access both ends of the design spectrum, from simplicity to complexity, is the true novelty and significance of the nTop Platform. Both quick and effortless solutions as well as in-depth, fundamental controllability are available to the user.

For users unaware, nTop is not really a modeling platform and is more so a design manipulation/optimization platform. What that means practically is, I normally design the base part in Rhino or Autodesk, then import that CAD or mesh file into nTopology to then integrate lattice structures and work with simulations. Perhaps greater base modeling tools would be helpful in nTopology, but I consider nTop simply as a separate tool that has its own specific function, just as every 3D-software has its own ideal use case.

I have been exploring the integration of lattice structures in product design. The manipulative control of these structures in nTopology allows me to continue exploring new structures in terms of both their aesthetic as well as their functionality.

One of the coolest things about nTop is the revolutionary approach to build things. So using different methodologies, mathematics, physics, external inputs from other software, analysis inputs of various types, it makes the process new. Where traditional software has enormous limitations, nTop Platform opens the doors to a new kind of approach, which is revolutionary for engineers but extremely effective and stimulating for designers. Furthermore, if we talk about Additive Manufacturing and if we talk about complexity, here there are probably few rivals not only for what can be achieved but also for speed, fundamental in the iterative process.

Nothing in particular, and still constant updates about once a month.

Design complex (not just architected materials) structures and optimize it. Then, if you do engineering, so you work with value and parameters you can have these directly inside the workflow to form the part. So, the fundamental benefit for me is to engineer to an impossible level with other methodologies and tools.

_ Next Gen philosophy: The software is equipped with tools that not only allow you to design a part or two, but to build a workflow that can propulse you to mass customisation, testing and development.

_ Incredible Support: I have been using Ntopology software since mid 2017 and their support team assisted me in several projects, which was very helpful as a student, eventually making it possible to start a PhD and win an international design award (2020 Additive World DfAM challenge in the student category) using their software.

_ It's not only about AM or lattices: While I primarly used Ntopology software for efficiently handling AM lattices, Ntop release offered more than that by switching from the familiar NURBS or B-reps to implicits and fields, opening a new dimension and angles to approach design thinking.

_ Always Improving: The Ntop team has an impressive touch with their community and is always listening and constantly improving their software capabilities.

_ Ultimate Design Freedom: Ntop's approach makes you feel like a coder that is capable of building a personal plugin or mini modelling software with custom inputs, outputs and unlimited possibilities.

_ Tutorials/Guidance: While the user experience might be different at the beginning from the usual CAD software, the team has put various tutorials and videos that guide you and also invite academics and industry representative that show direct applications and self developped workflows.

It's hard to dislike anything about Ntop software since the team are constantly listening and improving upon every feedback. Maybe at the beginning you feel like being in uncharted territories and out of the comfort zone of the usual CAD software, but that's exactly what you want when the goal is to push the limits and be at the edge of your field. The software is currently not compatible with macOS but can run using BootCamp.

I use Ntopology software in my PhD research, exploring and developing workflows that assists in the metrology of additive manufactured lattice structures. Benefits range from designing complex parts with a much needed freedom and custom constraints to automating simple repetitive tasks like outputting multiple designs with different parameters, with ease and unseen efficiency.

nTopology was not only easy to get started with as they provided face to face support, great tutorials, training sessions, and more, but enabled us to streamline the production of custom 3D printed products. As our products evolve we can very easily and incrementally improve the complexity of our designs with nTopology and the beauty of AM. It also enables us to more quickly create and test complex designs not easily possible in conventional CAD. The team at nTop is also fantastic and a pleasure to work with, which especially makes all the difference when integrating a completely new breed of design software.

It was a little hard to track someone down in the beginning but once we began working with the team it was smooth sailing.

It's worth exploring regardless of the industry, additive is the future of production.

We have been able to address the problem of rapid design ideation and exploration of complex geometries as we can very quickly generate tons of varieties before running small scale tests or simulation. Previously it took much longer between prototypes, and they could only be so complex.

I like the fact that as a novice user, it has been very easy to pick up how to use it. It is extremely flexible and has handled all of our needs. We had a lengthy list of requirements that we needed the software to handle. The application did all of the necessary requirements and the performance of build speed was significantly better then other solutions we evaluated.

Nothing so far. It is great to use and the support team jumps in to get upgrades to the software built into future builds when a capability is lacking. The price to operate the application is in line with other solutions in the marketplace, however it would be nice if small entrepreneurs could get additional discounting to help with the investment to subscribe to a license.

We are creating an automated customized flip flop. The software is being utilized to do an unattended build of an STL file using parameters passed to the command line application. The application has been able to completely do both functional as well as aesthetic design functions we have required of it.

I love the powerful lattice design engine that the software employs. I created beautiful lattices for my engineering design. Ntopology is much better than other lattice software.

I don't think this tool has any disadvantage. The price is reasonable as well. Ntopology has added new features in the past few years which is great. It though requires little bit of training.

I created lattice designs for my clients. The sample designs helped me sell my companie's 3d printers. This increased the business leading to revenue growth. I got promoted due to my success with clients where I used this software.

They have some helpful onboarding videos and the software is very powerful. The fact that it can create very complex geometry with easy is awesome.

There's a bit of a learning curve, but that's to be expected. The UI could be polished a bit, but so far, there's nothing that really bothers me.

It allows me to explore organic forms and structures that would otherwise be impossible or very difficult.