FABACADEMY 2019

This page covers my process through the fabacademy, illustrating my progress, discoveries, failures, reflexions and inspirations.

Week 03

Computer-Aided Design

Link to the class content

Assignment:

2d, 2.5 design.

Raster, Vector

3d design types

Sketch up

My friend Ale help me with another idea for my final project structure, it was to divide the base module to the half so it can be assembled on both sides.

I did't model this archive, but I've already worked on Sketch Up and I can say it's very useful to model, and a very easy to use it has a lot plugins that make it more complete the bad thing is you need to buy a license.

I think the limitations of this program are the parametric design and rendering engine.

You can download the file:

Blender Sverchok

Blender is a open-source 3D creation suite. Sverchok is a parametric tool for Blender built to help generate complex 3d shapes to control the flow of math and geometry. Those familiar with Rhinoceros 3D (Grasshoper), Houdini, Dynamo, etc.

I think Grasshoper is little bit easier to use because of it user interface but I found the two of them great.

I downloaded and installed Blender then I did the same with Sverchok after that I read the introduction and did the lesson 01 where I learned to create vertex, vectors and to change the size of the plane using mathematical nodes.

You can download the file:

Rhino Grasshoper

I feel interested in parametric design because I did some googling in the FabAcademy browser about folding and I found some interesting projects where the students use Rhinoceros and Grasshoper to do some origami shapes.

So I downloaded and installed Rhino 6 which has integrated Grasshopper that is a full 90 day version which means that after 90 days, Rhino will not allow me to save or load plug-ins until I purchase a license. I'm OK with that because I just want to do some tutorials to understand how it works.

I did some video tutorials of Introduction to Grasshopper foundational that help me understanding a little about Grasshopper.



You can download my files:

FreeCad

FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeler made primarily to design real-life objects of any size. Also allows you to sketch geometry constrained 2D shapes and use them as a base to build other objects.

Slideshow 2: Click on the arrow to see the images!

Simple Part
Basic Part
LEGO

You can download my files:

Using Freecad for my Final Project:

I started thinking and drawing how the main structure will be assemble like a press fit system, I'm trying to make a structure with the same form of the profile used in my inspiration project ModuLounge due to the rails that form.

I want to make one base module that should be repeated and assemble one with another to form the columns and beams, also I should create a bottom module and top module to close the shape. In addition to this I should design the corners to close the form.

Using FreeCad to make the parts of my Final Project:

You can download the file:



2nd prototype Conclusion:

The 12mm thickness is to wide but the Triplex plywood is a good material to be used as a structure for its rigidity.

The lateral cuts are to small and it makes difficult to assemble the corners.

The base module work really well and should be added a top and bottom modules to close the shape.

  • Third structure prototype:

    • For the 3rd structure prototype I calculate the dimensions to leave a space of 1,5 cm in between of the corners, this space will be used as a horizontal and vertical rail for the shelter. Also I changed the lateral cut dimensions to 3cm to assembly the corners and the thickness of the material to 9mm to economize, make it lighter and for less wide profile.

    Besides that I created a bottom and top module to close the shape.

    I downloaded and installed assembly2 workbench following this steps.

    Slideshow 5: Click on the arrow to see the images!

    3nd Sketch of my Structure Prototype
    Base module of my Structure Prototype
    Bottom Module
    Top Module
    Three modules assembly
    Structure prototype assembly

    You can download the file:



    3rd prototype Conclusion:

    The lateral cuts should maybe be larger for a easier assembly of the corners, I have to do the corners design to know how it will be assembly and make some test.

    It will be great to create a three faces joint using a press fit system to join the beams and the columns in the corners, so it can be a press fit kit.


    Sound and Video

    • Open Video

      • Is a free, open-source video editor for Linux, Mac, and Windows. Designed to be an easy to use, quick to learn, and surprisingly powerful video editor. Easily cut, slice, and edit any video or film.

      I did the quick tutorial where took me less than 5 minutes to complete, and now I have a basic understanding of how OpenShot works.

      I did this video where I show the next week assignments about vinyl cut and laser cut:

      You can download the file:



    • Photoshop

      • I have been use this software to make short animations of my architecture projects and I found this tutorial in shpanish where it's clearly explain how to edit a video. I find it really easy to use and easy to change the size of the file.

      This is an animation describing the interior levels of the building.

    Freecad (assembly2 workbench)

    I use Freecad to create the model of my final project and specifically the Assembly2 workbench that allow me assembly the different parts previously modeled in different files. For that I did the next process:

    • Model the pieces separately:
      • Main structure: conformed by beams and columns assembled from wood modules.
      • Columns bases: integrated for concrete modules.
      • Vertex joints: created using 3d print.
      • Tubes: to support the shelter.
      • Wheels: created using 3d print for the rails.
      • Shelter: canvas.
    • Create a new file and change to the assembly 2 work bench, add the different parts and organize them adjusting x, y, z position in the placement window.
    • Export as an OBJ file.

    Fusion 360

    I use fusion to separate some meshes in order to put different materials for the render also crated in this software. For that I did the next process:

    Create a new project called pergola and open the OBJ file and use the next workspaces:

    • Mesh:
      • Modify and separate.
    • Render:
      • Appearance: materials wood, stone, plastic and stone.
      • Scene settings: I choose an environment called "fields" from the library that provides me the illumination and the back ground.
      • Render settings: render with the cloud and render quality final.
      • Download as a TIFF file.
      • Finally I use Photoshop to edit the image adding a person, editing the size and save as JPG.

      You can download the file:

      Final project render:

      General Conclusion:

      2D, 2.5, 3D Software design: I'm really happy and enthusiastic to know there are many professional quality open-source software like Inkscape, GIMP, Blender and Freecad.

      Free and open-source software , the benefits can include decreased software costs, increased security and stability (especially in regard to malware), protecting privacy, education, and giving users more control over their own hardware.

      The open-source softwares and proprietary softwares both of them have a really good community and documentation to learn about.

      I will continue using Freecad in FabAcademy and in the future I would like to learn more abut Blender-Sverchok and Rhino-grasshopper focus on parametric design.

      Besides that I would like to learn more and augmented reality in relationship with design and construction process for that I think Unreal engine could be a good choice because is free.