2. Computer aided design¶
Vector vs Raster¶
We got some explanations about the differences between vector and raster and about the compression of images. I have worked for graphic agencies in the past and most of this stuff I already knew.
2D design and software¶
I do use Inkscape and Draftsight to draw 2D. But mostly I work in Coreldraw. I started using it 10 years ago, when I had my first laser cutter as it was the software that came with the machine. Meanwhile I like it a lot and has some features I am used to and miss in other software. So most of my 2D work will be in Coreldraw.
I got to know Vectr. It looks a very nice, quick and simple. And works in your browser even without registering. I played around with it a while and it is very intuitive and easy to use. I drew a new favicon robot for my website in it.
I am definitely going to use this in workshops with children to draw things for the vinyl cutter and laser or even to draw things to be used in tinkercad.
3D design theory and Software¶
Nurbs, never used them. But definitely want to play around with them a bit.
Rhino¶
I followed the lesson on Rhino, because I do want to get to know it. Mostly because I have a lot of architecture students using it and doing fun stuff with Grasshopper.
But it is so different and huge. I don’t have the time to learn that now.
It feels difficult navigating around and the different way of working makes it hard.
Blender and FreeCAD¶
I tried Blender end of the 90’s and did not really like it. It was also more focused on character design and animation. And I mostly need to design small technical parts. I did follow the into course at BCN and still think it is very powerful and all-round, but would take to much time now to learn how to use it to do what I want. Later I switched to FreeCAD, but that was very unstable in the beginning. After a while there was Autodesk 123D and I started using that.
Fusion360¶
Then I switched to Autodesk products and used 123D and Inventor. 123D is no longer available, but there is tinkercad now also to do basic modelling in the browser. I use tinkercad a lot with children and teacher in workshops to start learning 3D printing and design. Now I also started using Fusion360, because I also want to use it in workshops with students.
So I think I will use Fusion360 for 3D modelling most of the things in the Fab Academy.
I also should try OpenSCAD some more??
Model final design, compress images/video and put it on your website¶
For this week I am making a drawing for a small miniature easel for one of my sons. He wants to exhibit a bunch of 10x10 cm paintings and needs some stands for it.
And since our final project will also contain an easel, this is also a thinking exercise about the design of that project.
- easel design file in vector pdf
I had to make a few adjustments in the flexible hinges to get it right. The first 4 tries failed and broke. But in the end I got one that works :-)
I played around in Fusion360 some more. I already used this software for drawing some small simple things and it feels more familiar to me than the others.
I wanted to try and model a holder for my phone to be able to take pictures while working. For documenting the assignments.
I tried to design the holder in separate parts to be more easy to adjust later. I also used as much components as possible. Probably way to much to be efficient ;-)
I tried a lot of features that I never used, such as making a render and an animation.
Final render done in Fusion360
animation in Fusion
files in stl format
For compressing and converting the animation video I used Handbrake
I used Gimp to crop and compress the images.