Options abound for software and devices to help the little ones learn the fundamentals of electronics and programming. Now, there’s another option aimed at increasing your child’s STEM dream team status. 3D Slash is a 3D modeling tool “to make 3D creation accessible to everyone” in a fun, inventive, and game-like manner. It was developed by French designer Sylvain Huet, who based the software off the insanely popular video game Minecraft, which encourages players to build whatever they want, wherever they want.
3D Slash is easy to get users started on their path to learning: in about three steps and after a 30 minute training session, users are ready to create their own 3D objects whether or not they have prior modeling experience. The program is free to use both online and offline and, even if you don’t have a 3D printer, you can still get some use out of the program by sharing your model with the community or downloading the STL files. 3D Slash is touted for 5 years old or 95; guess it’s never too late or early to start learning a new skill.
It can be a little overwhelming to sit down and design something on your own, so the program also has over 20,000 designs created by other users since January 2015 including repair tools, games, figurines, decorations, scale models, and STEM projects.
We showed you how 3D Slash is being used with La Poste to provide 3D modeling for customers. And recently, 3D Slash teamed up with Raspberry Pi to create a new version of the app that works with the credit-card sized computer. As an added bonus, the two also developed the app for their partner Pi-Top, which is a kid-friendly laptop installed with 3D Slash, though adults are free and encouraged to use the device as well. You can also install it on a Kano kid’s computer as well.
It’s great that more companies are dedicated to teaching those with little to no experience the basics of programming, but 3D Slash is ahead of the game by offering their services for free. Much of the software and devices needed to even learn the basics can empty your wallet, which is even worse if you lose interest of the subject after a week. But for those who hope to get better at it should look into 3D Slash. Learning through game mechanics is a great way to make the experience more engaging, exciting, and interesting. Besides, textbooks can only do so much.