2014–2022 — The rise of SDF3D
SDF3D (Subdivformer) began as a joint venture between Atomind Inc. USA and Ascon (Russia). Its idea was radical for its time: real subdivision surface modeling — the “softedge” approach — on a phone. While desktop packages demanded workstations and months of training, SDF3D let anyone sculpt smooth, organic, production-ready 3D shapes with their fingertips.
The market answered. With more than one million downloads, SDF3D became the most successful productivity app of its kind on the Android platform. Its softedge approach was ahead of its time throughout that era from 2014 to 2022 — a mobile-first take on Doo-Sabin subdivision that many desktop tools only caught up with years later.
The hardware chapter — why Atomind wanted SDF3D in the first place
Few people know that SDF3D was originally acquired with hardware in mind. When Microsoft discontinued the HoloLens and support for the industrial version ended in 2024, Atomind had already been exploring its own AR device: designed as a comfortable pair of sunglasses that puts no pressure on the nose, based on a design by then-Atomind tech lead Paige Horinek. SDF3D was meant to be bundled with that device — intuitive 3D creation, worn on your face.
The device never left prototype status: the level of sophistication was high, and the announced display technology never came to market from the side of the manufacturers. Atomind’s AR solution was shelved — but the conviction behind it never was: 3D creation belongs in everyone’s hands.
The quiet years — and an honest word about them
Due to the sanctions regime and the war, the joint-venture parties concluded their cooperation agreement. Ascon maintains the contractual rights for the Russian market on SDF3D; Atomind holds the rights for the global market. SDF3D was discontinued, and support ended by the end of 2023.
Meanwhile, Atomind had already decided to build a completely new codebase. First developed in 2020 for the iOS platform, the successor — Tangibl3D — was finished in 2021, and it developed the first mechanisms for intuitive AI in a 3D modeler. Then the company went through hardship: a severe cybercrime incident forced certain projects to be shelved. Tangibl3D waited.
- 2014 SDF3D launches — subdivision surface modeling goes mobile
- 2020 Tangibl3D development starts, first built for iOS
- 2021 New codebase finished — first mechanisms for intuitive AI
- 2022 SDF3D era ends; JV cooperation concluded (Ascon: Russian market · Atomind: global)
- 2023 SDF3D support ends
- 2024 New development team under the aegis of Atomind’s Creative Heaven; HoloLens industrial support ends
- 2026 Show Real takes over — Tangibl3D web editor, Open Beta One
2024–2026 — The comeback
In 2024, a new development team was formed under the aegis of Atomind’s new Creative Heaven development unit. The show-real platform was developed into a social experience — a place where 3D creation, sharing and community come together. Under the new leadership, directly of the Atomind CEO, Show Real LLC USA took over the asset from its subsidiary — together with its community of subscribers.
The road ahead — what we are building
Agentic by design
Interplatform, AI-driven, with full implementation of Anthropic’s newest models. Describe it — the agent helps you build it.
Cloud rendering
A datacenter-driven cloud rendering system — heavy lifting off your device, results in real time.
A realtime world
A realtime environment for VR and metaverse apps — model it, then step inside it.
Pen-first modeling
Pressure-sensitive brush strokes become 3D geometry — built for Apple Pencil, S-Pen and Wacom. Hair, plants, 3D calligraphy.
New mobile generation
Cost-efficient, iPad- and Apple-Pencil-focused. Mobile apps follow soon with a new touch-first UI/UX for small devices.
Scan the real world
The cooperation with Scandy has ended — an independent iPhone 3D scanning system is underway, directly using Apple’s AI & AR features, seamlessly integrating with Apple Vision and other tools.
Show Real will start Tangibl3D as the editor first, followed by a whole family of tools under this brand. We open Beta One first. The editor already runs today: softedge Doo-Sabin modeling, per-face PBR materials, multi-object scenes, cameras, helpers, stylus brush strokes and a full export pipeline — in the browser, on desktop and iPad.
A thank-you to one million of you
Your community carries over. Your models matter. Your .sdf files will import into the new generation.
Content creators & influencers
Creators and influencers are welcome — and should see our incentive packages. If you teach 3D, stream your workflow, or build an audience around design: get in touch and mention “creator program”.
Be part of Beta One.
Limited seats. iPad Pro + Apple Pencil, Galaxy Ultra + S-Pen, or desktop — tell us your setup.
Register as Beta Tester Subscribe to the newsletter Read the SDF3D manualFrequently asked questions
What happened to SDF3D (Subdivformer)?
SDF3D was a joint venture between Atomind Inc. USA and Ascon (Russia). Due to the sanctions regime, the parties concluded their cooperation agreement. The app was discontinued and support ended by the end of 2023. Ascon maintains the contractual rights for the Russian market; Atomind holds the global rights.
Is SDF3D coming back?
Yes — as Tangibl3D on the Show-Real platform. The web editor is running now; new mobile apps for iPad, iPhone and Android follow with a touch-first UI/UX.
What is Tangibl3D?
The next-generation softedge (subdivision surface) modeler by Show-Real: cross-platform, AI-driven and agentic by design, with pen-pressure brush strokes, cloud rendering and a modern export pipeline.
I was an SDF3D subscriber — what do I get?
One full year of subscription for free with the next update, as a thank-you for your loyalty.
Will my old .sdf models work?
Yes — .sdf import is part of the new pipeline, so your classic models carry over into Tangibl3D.
Where can I read the original manual?
The complete SDF3D user manual — fully searchable, with all illustrations — lives at manual.show-real.com.