3DS

What 3DS does

3DS Co., Ltd. (株式会社スリー・ディー・エス, trading as DataDesign) is a privately held Japanese Value-Added Reseller (VAR) founded in 2003 and headquartered in Shin-Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. The company is the official Japanese distributor for a curated portfolio of internationally developed 3D digital tools, organized across seven solution categories: 3DS-SCANNING (Artec 3D, Geomagic), 3DS-MODELING, 3DS-RENDERING (anchored by flagship KeyShot Studio), 3DS-PRINTING (Formlabs SLA printers, Markforged industrial printers, Autodesk Netfabb), 3DS-MILLING (VisualMill, RhinoCAM), 3DS-VISUALIZE (SpinFire, WORKXPLORE, Sony ELF-SR2 spatial reality display), and 3DS-UTILITIES (CrossManager CAD translator, 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse). 3DS holds 1-10 employees, no external funding or parent company, and serves a horizontal customer base spanning individual designers, SMBs, enterprises (including Suntory Holdings), and educational institutions across Japan's product design, manufacturing, automotive, jewelry, and CGI sectors.

The business operates on a software distribution and resale model, generating revenue primarily through annual subscription licenses (e.g., KeyShot Studio Pro at ¥198,000/year, KeyVR at ¥193,000/year, plus add-on modules and floating/network rendering tiers), perpetual license maintenance fees, hardware resale, and ancillary professional services including Japanese-language technical training, webinars, and support desk operations. Its go-to-market combines a direct online storefront (shop.3ds.co.jp), enterprise sales inquiries, regular webinar programs, trade show participation across major Japanese industry events, and channel partnerships with resellers like Too Corporation and AppCraft. 3DS differentiates through exclusive local distribution rights, Japanese-language localization and support, and an end-to-end workflow portfolio that lets customers consolidate procurement of scanning, rendering, printing, milling, and visualization tools through a single vendor.

The company's competitive position rests on distribution exclusivity rather than proprietary technology: nearly all of 3DS's product IP originates from its principal vendor partners (KeyShot/Luxion, MecSoft, 3Dconnexion, Sony, Formlabs, etc.). Recent strategic moves include introducing KeyShot Studio 2025.2 AI Shots generative AI features to the Japanese market, adding Meshy AI 3D model generation to its portfolio, and executing three sequential KeyShot subscription price increases between August 2023 and November 2025. Pricing is denominated in Japanese yen with academic tiers as low as ¥24,000/year, and Microsoft Partner certification is displayed on the corporate site.

Name

3DS

Legal name

株式会社スリー・ディー・エス

Website

https://3ds.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

3DS (DataDesign) is a Japanese Value-Added Reseller and exclusive Japanese distributor of curated 3D digital tools — including KeyShot Studio, SpinFire, Formlabs printers, and Sony ELF-SR2 — serving individual designers, manufacturers, and enterprises across product design, CGI, and additive manufacturing workflows with localized support, training, and subscription licensing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

3D Software and Hardware Distribution

NAICS

Printing and Related Support Activities (3231)

SIC

Service Industries For The Printing Trade (2790)

akta.pro primary industry

3D Design & CAD for Additive Manufacturing (IMAAACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

3D Printers (Additive Manufacturing) (HDACAEAH), Service, Repair & Maintenance Contracts (Preventive Maintenance, Onsite Service, Extended Warranty) (IMAAAIAM)

Keywords

• 3D rendering software
• CAD data translation
• 3D printing solutions
• VR design visualization
• Value-added reseller

Headquarters

HQ city

Yokohama

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Software Distribution and Resale: 3DS operates as a Value-Added Reseller (VAR) and official Japanese distributor for internationally sourced 3D software products. Revenue is generated through the resale of software licenses, subscription fees, and related services to Japanese customers. Products include KeyShot Studio/VR, CrossManager, SpaceMouse, SpinFire, WORKXPLORE, Netfabb, VisualMill/RhinoCAM, and Formlabs 3D printers.
2. Training, Webinars and Technical Support: The company generates revenue through technical training sessions, webinars, and support desk services for the software products it distributes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

3DS Co., Ltd. (trading as DataDesign) is a Japanese Value-Added Reseller (VAR) and authorized distributor of internationally developed 3D digital tools. The company resells and supports a curated portfolio covering the full 3D workflow — scanning (Artec 3D), modeling, rendering (KeyShot Studio, KeyVR), printing (Formlabs, Markforged, Netfabb), milling (VisualMill, RhinoCAM), visualization (SpinFire, WORKXPLORE, Sony ELF-SR2), and utilities (CrossManager, SpaceMouse) — primarily to Japanese manufacturers, designers, and educational institutions.

Product overview

3DS (株式会社スリー・ディー・エス, trading as DataDesign) is a Japanese value-added reseller and technical distributor of 3D digital tools serving professionals from individuals to enterprises and educational/research institutions. The product portfolio is organized across six solution categories: 3DS-SCANNING (3D scanning), 3DS-MODELING (3D modeling), 3DS-RENDERING (3D rendering, anchored by KeyShot Studio and its sub-products), 3DS-PRINTING (3D printing mesh optimization and desktop printers), 3DS-MILLING (CAM software for machining), and 3DS-VISUALIZE (real-time 3D sharing and AR/MR tools). KeyShot Studio is the flagship rendering product, offered as a standalone application with add-on modules including KeyShot Animation (physics simulation and keyframe animation), KeyShot Web (browser-based 3D sharing), KeyShot Studio VR (VR design review), KeyShot Viewer (free viewer), and Network Rendering (distributed rendering). The broader suite includes SpinFire (multi-CAD 3D communication viewer), WORKXPLORE (engineering 3D-CAD viewer), CrossManager (CAD data translator), SpaceMouse (3D mouse hardware), Fusion with Netfabb (3D printing mesh editor), Form4 (SLA desktop 3D printer), VisualMill and RhinoCAM (CAM software for prototyping and machining), and ELF-SR2 (Sony spatial reality display).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 3DS-SCANNING: 3D scanning solutions for digitizing physical objects
• 3DS-MODELING
• 3DS-RENDERING
• 3DS-PRINTING
• 3DS-MILLING
• 3DS-VISUALIZE
• 3DS-UTILITIES
• KeyShot Studio
• KeyShot Studio VR
• ELF-SR2
• SpinFire
• WORKXPLORE
• VisualMill
• RhinoCAM

Products and services

• KeyShot Studio
• KeyShot Studio VR (KeyVR)
• SpinFire
• WORKXPLORE
• CrossManager
• SpaceMouse
• Fusion with Netfabb
• Form4 3D Printer
• VisualMill
• RhinoCAM

Quantifiable outcome

• SpinFire is used by 6,000+ companies and 210,000+ users globally, indicating broad market adoption.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability2 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• KeyShot (Luxion ApS / KeyShot)flagshipTechnology or Integration3DS is the official authorized distributor and premier support partner for KeyShot 3D rendering software and KeyVR virtual reality visualization software in Japan. This is the company's primary product line, with dedicated sub-site (3ds.co.jp/keyshot/), ongoing product training, webinars, and promotional campaigns. The partnership includes subscription sales, technical support, training, and localization of KeyShot products for the Japanese market. As of 2024, the developer company rebranded from 'Luxion' to 'KeyShot'.
• Too Corporation (株式会社Too)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorToo is a major Japanese 3D software and hardware reseller that co-markets KeyShot and related 3DS products through joint webinars, training events, and sales activities. 3DS and Too jointly host KeyShot introductory webinars and user training sessions. Too also distributes KeyShot through its own sales network alongside 3DS's direct sales.
• 3DconnexioncoreTechnology or Integration3Dconnexion is the manufacturer of SpaceMouse and other 3D input devices. 3DS distributes SpaceMouse products in Japan as part of its 3D utilities portfolio. Joint webinars between 3Dconnexion and 3DS (e.g., 'AI-equipped latest KeyShot Studio introduction webinar with 3D mouse') promote combined use of SpaceMouse hardware and KeyShot software.
• Artec 3D (Artec Group)coreTechnology or Integration3DS offers Artec 3D handheld 3D scanners as part of its 3DS-Scanning product line. The scanners are featured at trade show exhibitions (e.g., Manufacturing Fair モノづくりフェア2021) where 3DS demonstrates the scanners together with reverse modeling tools for design feedback workflows.
• MarkforgedcoreTechnology or Integration3DS distributes Markforged industrial 3D printers (carbon fiber and metal capable) as part of its 3DS-Printing product category. Markforged printers are highlighted at trade shows for high-strength, heat-resistant part production in manufacturing applications.
• FormlabscoreTechnology or Integration3DS distributes Formlabs SLA desktop 3D printers (including Form4) as part of its 3DS-Printing lineup. Formlabs printers are presented at trade shows for high-precision photopolymer prototyping alongside 3DS's KeyShot rendering and CAD tools.
• Autodesk (NETFABB, Fusion 360)coreTechnology or Integration3DS distributes Autodesk NETFABB (additive manufacturing design/analysis software) and promotes Autodesk Fusion 360 as part of its 3D digital tool portfolio. At trade shows, 3DS exhibits these tools alongside its scanning and rendering solutions for end-to-end manufacturing workflows.
• Geomagic (3D Systems)coreTechnology or IntegrationGeomagic reverse engineering and modeling solutions are distributed by 3DS as part of its scanning and modeling workflow. At trade events, 3DS demonstrates Geomagic alongside Artec 3D scanners for converting scan data to accurate CAD for manufacturing feedback.
• Visual Mill / RhinoCAM (MecSoft)coreTechnology or Integration3DS distributes VisualMill and RhinoCAM CNC/CAM software as part of its 3DS-Milling product category. VisualMill targets entry-level to professional machining users, while RhinoCAM is positioned as a RhinoCAD plugin-type CAM tool with 100+ NC controller post-processors.
• Sony (ELF-SR2 Spatial Reality Display)coreTechnology or Integration3DS distributes the Sony ELF-SR2 spatial reality display (4K naked-eye 3D display) as part of its 3DS-Visualize product category. The product is showcased with KeyShot integration for 3D design review, medical imaging, and showroom applications, using Sony's proprietary super-resolution and gaze-recognition technology.
• AppCraft (アプリクラフト)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAppCraft co-hosted a 'KeyShot Studio & Rhinoceros latest version introduction webinar' with 3DS in January 2026, promoting the combined use of Rhinoceros CAD and KeyShot rendering for Japanese design professionals.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ARK Inc. (株式会社アーク): Japanese CAD/CAM software distributor specializing in Rhinoceros and related 3D modeling tools for design and manufacturing. Directly comparable in product overlap (Rhino distribution, 3D design tooling for Japanese professionals) and target customer segment.
• Too Corporation: Japanese 3D software and hardware reseller that co-markets KeyShot with 3DS via joint webinars and parallel sales channels. Directly comparable in business model (VAR/distributor of 3D tools to Japanese designers and manufacturers) and customer base, making it both a partner and a competitor.
• CGS Co., Ltd. (コンピュータグラフィック販売): Japanese CAD/CAM/CAE software distributor serving industrial design and engineering customers. Comparable in business model (specialist 3D software VAR for Japanese manufacturers) and in serving the same Rhinoceros-adjacent user community.
• Elysium Co., Ltd. Japanese 3D data translation and interoperability specialist (CADdoctor, 3D_Evolution). Overlaps with 3DS's CrossManager/CAD data translation offering and addresses the same Japanese CAD interoperability pain points across manufacturing.

Broad incumbents

• Stratasys Japan: Japanese subsidiary of Stratasys, a major industrial 3D printer manufacturer (PolyJet, FDM). 3DS has co-marketed with Stratasys Japan on CMF seminars, but Stratasys's direct sales and bundled software represent incumbent competition in 3DS-Printing.
• PTC Japan: Japanese subsidiary of PTC (Creo, Onshape). Competes upstream in CAD/PLM; downstream tooling that 3DS distributes (KeyShot, CrossManager) integrates with PTC products, creating both an ecosystem dependency and a relationship risk if PTC tightens direct sales.
• Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence Japan: Japanese arm of Hexagon's manufacturing intelligence division, covering metrology, CAD/CAM, and quality software. Comparable in serving Japanese manufacturers with 3D design-to-production tooling and represents broader incumbent competition to 3DS's CAM and visualization portfolio.
• Dassault Systèmes K.K. (Japan): Japanese subsidiary of Dassault Systèmes, the vendor behind CATIA, SOLIDWORKS, and 3DEXCITE. A broad incumbent competing upstream by selling direct CAD/PLM platforms that 3DS's downstream tooling (KeyShot, CrossManager) integrates with — represents both an ecosystem dependency and a disintermediation risk.
• Autodesk K.K. Japanese subsidiary of Autodesk (AutoCAD, Fusion 360, Netfabb). 3DS already distributes Autodesk Netfabb and Fusion 360, but Autodesk's direct Japan sales motion and cloud subscription push represent both a key partnership and the principal channel-disintermediation threat.
• 3D Systems Japan: Japanese arm of 3D Systems, manufacturer of 3D printers and Geomagic reverse-engineering software. Competes with the 3D-printer and scanning lines 3DS distributes (Formlabs, Markforged, Artec, Geomagic) and bundles proprietary software with hardware at scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 3DS