Mind-2-Matter

You may remember Gnorman from earlier this year.

This was my free sculpture for my figure modeling class during the Spring 2013 semester at AAU.

This may be the piece of work that I am the most proud of ever. EVER. (and I've made a lot of art in the last 30 years). Needless to say I was most saddened when I was too busy to properly finish Gnorman and have him fired (I went straight from work/school to wedding prep/work and he dried out!).

I had been crossing my fingers that we could get him scanned before he was a total loss since June/July. Our method of scanning wasn't the easiest but Justin and I worked through a variety of methods using Kinect cameras for another project and I figured that we would, at some point, rig that set up again.

Well, we didn't have to.


The Gnomes (thanks to the Elder Gnome) have acquired the Sense 3D Scanner.

A few minutes time and we had a model to print. I was so excited I could barely contain myself last night! The original Gnorman is 8" W x 13" D x 24" H. New Gnorman is about 1" W x 1.5" D x 4" H!

So exciting!  

And it was just in time. Gnorman's ear fell off after we finished scan!

365 Days of Zentangles - Day 30

Day 30! I had to go on an epic journey to find some place to get a money order, so that ate a good portion of my morning (I didn't get Placerville apples).

I made a killer coconut banana mousse (I had planned it out to be pie filling, but am currently out of arrowroot - I made it anyway to test the flavor/texture).

I finally listed cupcake toppers in our Etsy store,

Justin posed an interesting question to me about the current project. Could the tangles be adapted to a 3D model environment, therefore allowing me to create 3D sculptures daily.

I don't know any organic modeling software, so I'm on the hunt to find one that I can learn easily.

I checked out the 123D suite from Adobe today, thinking "oh awesome. 123D Design would be an enhancement over some of the limitations in TinkerCAD. It's not.

There is no import/export feature. I use illustrator to create a lot of my line art and import into TinkerCAD. I thought "woo, I can add chamfers and fillets using 123D Design" Nope. Not at all. Because I can't bring my work from illustrator (another Adobe product) into the app.

So then I was thinking "oooo 123D Sculpt could be an option for this idea of digital tangles to print." To my dismay, it is only available for iPAD. WTF? Seriously? It can't be utilized as a web app? It can't be made available to android? No thanks. I'm not a fan of anything that is iOS only.

Keep an eye out for reviews of various entry level 3D tools. I'm pretty good with the 2D and illustration, but AAU's IDS program didn't really have a huge emphasis on 3D modeling (it was very much still grounded in the olden ways of hand rendering and hand modeling). 3D printing was entirely glossed over in my production processes class.

TinkerCAD - New Features!

I've proclaimed my excitement again and again about the return of TinkerCAD. Autodesk saved them from the abyss and they are making improvements.

TinkerCAD is currently free for everyone and allows multiple designs with a free account. Previously, a free account only allowed you to create and edit ONE design. I had upgraded to a paid account briefly to allow more than one design at a time, which had unlocked the Shape Scripts feature.

Well, I don't know squat about parametric programming so editing the Java Script to devise and edit shapes was a bit over my head. They do have some handy sliders that allow you to change the parameters of the shapes without knowing how to edit Java script. Here's a quick look at it.

 

Another really cool new feature they've added is "Edit Grid". Previously they let you choose between metric and imperial and the snap tolerances.  Time for an upgrade.

You can now choose from several popular 3D printers so your grid is set to your bed size.  They started out with Makerbot and Objet (both of which are owned by Stratasys). I hopped on their blog and requested Type A Machines Series 1 (the LaserGnomes preferred printer). A few of the members of the Series 1 forums hopped on as well.  Well, that was July 18th. It's currently July 20th.

And they've added Type A Machines Series 1!!!!!!!!


If you haven't given TinkerCAD a go, I suggest you do. It's pretty awesome stuff.  Perhaps you have an idea of something you want to make but don't have the CAD skills to make it happen (don't worry, most people don't have the CAD skills!).  TinkerCAD can make that happen.

Do Work!

My posting has been spotty at best over the last two months or so (I was doing pretty well for a while though!). 

Semester is done. Wedding has happened. I have to say the last few days of no work, no school and no planning looming over me has been awesome, but it's time to get back to work. 

There are so many projects I want to get done this summer before school starts back up in September. 

We completed the honey do list this weekend (installed a shelf in one of our kitchen cabinets, fixed the back of a cabinet drawer that was completely missing, installed some bright tract lighting over the 3D printer, vacuumed with our new vacuum, etc), which means I can get down to some creative work (though I really hope to be able to paint our room in July - it's a weird mix of gray blue, purple and orange). 

I am going to do a post with all of our wedding stationary featured. We did all of the save the dates, invitations, reply cards, map cards and the like.  Our Save the Dates were some of the most awesome I've seen to date (not that I'm biased or anything).  I am going to start printing the face of our thank you cards this week so I can send them out. They will, of course, match the rest of the set.  

I've been doing some work on a few jewelry pieces using the 3D printer. The first two pieces I made were for my bridesmaids. In my haste, I didn't really take any good pictures though. Hopefully some of the others have captured the necklaces. Or I have a really good excuse to get together with my ladies.

Another project I'm working on is some garden markers. I got moved to a full sun plot so I'm going to have something more than just herbs and lettuce.  I am going to 3D print the markers, but am working out the process of utilizing fonts I have installed on my computer (TinkerCAD has a default font but I don't want to use it). There are a few steps to it, but I'm working on a tutorial video to post (as much as I HATE videos - I realize most people would rather watch something than read/look at still images) showing how to utilize your own fonts in TinkerCAD. This gives a lot of people a great platform for working out their designs and since not everyone has a 3D printer handy, they can still go to MakeXYZ or contact us regarding 3D printing services. Our printing services cover a range of resolutions to choose from depending on your needs.  LaserGnomes has the following resolutions available: Low, Medium, High and Ultra. 

Keep coming back for updates on my projects as the roll along this summer. We here at LaserGnomes have some great things in the works. 

Rejoice!

Rejoice!

TinkerCAD is BACK!

I was so excited a few months back to have found TinkerCAD. I had great plans for blog posts, tutorials, even having my mom "test" it out to show how easy it is (not to mention teaching the kids at work a thing or two about 3D design). All of these plans were dashed when TinkerCAD announced their closure.

I canceled my paid account and moved on to trying to find something else with what little free time I had. I had very little free time and found nothing. I'm not sure which is to blame: my lack of free time or the lack of resources.

Well, then came the email. TinkerCAD found a home at Autodesk.  OMG!  I was so excited (as was Justin - He has done some AMAZING things using TinkerCAD). TinkerCAD is back!

"The shutdown plan has been rolled back and effective immediately new users are again able to sign up for the site. Even better, at the request of Autodesk, we have supercharged the free plan. You can now create unlimited designs, all import and export functionality is enabled and ShapeScripts are turned on for free accounts. We have automatically upgraded all existing free accounts to this new powerful plan. This account will be offered for a limited time only so make sure you sign up as soon as possible."

Again, I ran into the problem of too little free time. Trying to finish up finals AND finish planning a wedding (at the same time working) takes a lot of time. And energy.

The wedding is this coming Tuesday, after which I will be free to play with TinkerCAD (and M0rt)

Like I've said previously, TinkerCAD is an amazingly powerful tool. Justin has used it to create parts for NERF blasters. He's currently working on a super rad project for our wedding next week.

I was all ready to go and finish up some work to get prepped for some stellar jewelry that I am making for my bridesmaids.  I logged in and lo and behold, my account status is suspended. I had a paid account that I cancelled upon the news they were closing down.  Apparently the fix is as easy as emailing support, but it's after midnight and I'm sure I'll have to wait until sometime tomorrow to get my status back to unlocked.

An important part of the message from TinkerCAD that is quoted above is the announcement that the free plan is basically "unlocked" to allow you to create unlimited designs, import/export features are fully functional and ShapeScripts are enabled. When I signed up a few months back, those options were paid account only, so I signed up. At $20 a month, I sort of balked at the payments. I didn't really have enough time to get to know the program to take full advantage of the paid account, but I really didn't want to be limited to ONE design at a time.

Even if you don't have a 3D printer, do yourself a favor and sign up. Learn how to use it. Develop your ideas. You know someone who has a 3D printer and we're here to help.  LaserGnomes helps fulfill dreams. Use your imagination and let us help you fulfill yours!

TinkerCAD. You're leaving me?

Last week I had started reviewing TinkerCAD, including the paid version. 

I did a brief overview last week, giving you a formal introduction to TinkerCAD and I had been playing around with it more in depth and taking extensive notes to share with you. 

Today, it was announced that TinkerCAD will be no more.  

What does that mean for users? Well, here's the "shut down timeline" that was provided: 

• Effective immediately we have closed sign-ups for new users
• April 30 2013 - All free accounts will be changed to read only
• August 31 2013 - All academic accounts will be changed to read only
• December 31 2013 - All paid accounts will be changed to read only
• June 31 2014 - Read only access for all users will be discontinued

I had really hoped to get more people on board and get them started modeling using TinkerCAD through this blog. Unfortunately, it's now closed to new users.  

If you had signed up prior to today and had a free account (which means only one design at a time is available to you - that was what I had prior to getting the paid version last week), you've got a little more than a month of working time left. 

At this point, I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I will probably cancel my paid account and move on to another software and outline it here. It's disappointing, though. I had hoped to use TinkerCAD to teach basic 3D modeling to the kids I work with.  

In fact, I took a few prints to work today to share with the kids. One of the kid's dad REALLY wants to get a 3D printer. This kid knew a lot about 3D modeling and the basics of how the printer worked. He started describing "this thing you can go to on the internet that lets you design anything you want. And they have really cool rabbit ears." TinkerCAD. 

Even kids know about it!  (and it was going to be a great teaching tool!)

I'm on the hunt for a user friendly 3D modeling program to learn and help others learn.  I'll keep you updated on my progress.  

Tinker....... CAD?

I've been playing with TinkerCAD here and there for a few weeks now.  TinkerCAD is a web based 3d modeling application.

It's pretty easy to learn and work with through a series of lessons that lead you step by step through building a model.

There is a limited use, free version (which I had been playing with until last night) and a paid version ($19/mo is the entry level up to $499/mo for enterprise level).

As far as the free use version goes, I was able to make a few things, but not able to save them should I want to make another.  I was able to export the .stl file to print using R2-D0NT, so that was pretty sweet.  If you don't have a 3D printer in your bedroom, they do offer print services through several 3D printing companies. If YOU want to have your object printed, be sure to contact us through MakeXYZ.

While we were working on Save the Dates for our upcoming wedding, we REALLY wanted to send something awesome. Which, of course, meant 3D printed.  While we were playing with ideas, I designed this key chain/tag pretty quickly, especially considering I don't really have any 3D modeling skills (I can draft the heck out 2D images but hadn't really gone too far into 3D work yet).  I have to say it couldn't have been more than 15 minutes of work to make.

We even did a test print of it (I have it hanging on my Alpine Mail Bag) and it was pretty awesome.  What made it most awesome though was the fact that we printed it in Glow in the Dark PLA.  

That was the first project I had created using TinkerCAD exclusively.  There is an option to import 2D .svg files as well as using the shapes provided by TinkerCAD. I had a lot of trouble importing .svg files when I first started using it.  I haven't tried it out in a while though.  Sometimes it would not be able to upload the file at all, while others it would distort the line work, but I'll save that for another post. 

I haven't really been able to test out the new features that have unlocked when switched to a paid account last night.  I'm planning to spend a bit of time each day checking it out and really evaluating the free v. paid features.  I'll also eventually compare it to software such as Autodesk Inventor. 

A few things that have me excited about TinkerCAD (even right away) are the simplicity and accessibility of it.  You can be up and creating relatively quickly through playing with it and the tutorials. It's simplicity can get anyone designing in no time.  I'll have my mom test that out.  That should be interesting.  Maybe she'll fall in love with 3D design and printing. 

TinkerCAD is web based, so you can pretty much work anywhere you have access to a browser that supports WebGL. Browsers that play nice with TinkerCAD are Chrome 10 or newer and Firefox 4 or newer.  

Think about how great that is for just a minute.  Not only can someone with no experience in 3D design get their feet wet, but you can work anywhere you have web access and a browser with WebGL support.  Your software isn't tying you to your computer any longer.