teform

Teform is a software framework for designing, transforming, and fabricating digital forms. It provides a modular, graph-based pipeline that allows users to apply a sequence of geometric, topological, and data transformations to 3D models and form-related data. The platform emphasizes non-destructive editing and provenance tracking, enabling designers to trace each operation and revert steps as needed.

The project began as an open-source initiative launched in 2018 by a group of researchers and developers seeking to unify parametric modeling, generative design, and fabrication workflows. It is cross-platform and language-agnostic, with core components implemented in C++ and Python bindings for rapid scripting and prototyping. A plugin system supports extensions for CAD file formats, solvers, and visualization tools.

Teform's architecture centers on form graphs: nodes represent operations such as extrusion, lattice generation, mesh repair, and attribute mapping; edges carry data between nodes. This graph-based approach supports collaboration and versioning, since histories can be shared and re-applied with new parameters. Interoperability aims to bridge major CAD formats (e.g., STEP, STL) and simulation pipelines.

Applications include industrial design, architecture, additive manufacturing, and education, where teams use Teform to explore design variations, prepare models for printing, or teach digital fabrication concepts. The software is released under an open-source MIT-style license, with a community-driven roadmap and ongoing development.