2. Computer Aided Design (CAD)¶

Assignment for the week 2¶

Exploring 2D design tools.
Understanding raster and vector images, and learning how to convert one format to the other.
Exploring 3D modeling software and learning rendering, animation, and simulation techniques.
Learning how to compress videos using various tools.

Overview of what I did this week¶

A. Learned about 2D designing.

B. Understanding Raster and Vector Images, learning how to convert raster image to vector image.

C. Introduced to 3D Modelling, rendering and creating animation.

D. Learning how to compress videos.

*E. Learning How to compress Videos using XnConvert

A. Exploring 2D Design Tools¶

What is 2D Design?
According to A Beginner’s Guide to 2D Design, 2D design refers to the creation of artwork or visuals that exist within a two-dimensional space. It involves working with elements such as shapes, lines, colors, textures, and patterns to convey meaning or evoke emotions. Whether it’s a painting, illustration, or digital graphic, 2D design provides artists with a versatile platform to express their creativity.

There are many open-source software for 2D designing such as - GIMP: For image editing and photo manipulation. - Inkscape: For vector graphics editor. - Krita: For digital painting and animation. - Canva (Free version): Web-based tool for creating social media graphics, posters, and presentations. - Vector: Simple, free vector design tool for beginners.

Since I am more familiar with GIMP and Inkscape, I decided to explore them farther for my fabacademy.

B. Understanding Raster and Vector Images, and Learning How to Convert One Format to the Other¶

To understand the what is raster image, vector image and difference between the two, I went through this a website known as GeeksForGeeks.

When it comes to digital images, two main types are commonly used: raster and vector graphics. Understanding the difference between these two can help you choose the right format for your project.

Raster graphics, made up of tiny pixels, are ideal for detailed and colorful images like photographs.

On the other hand, vector graphics use mathematical paths, making them perfect for designs that need to be scaled without losing quality, like logos and illustrations. Both have their own strengths and weaknesses, and knowing when to use each can make a big difference in your design work.

Before we begin with what vector graphics and raster graphics are, we must understand a few basic terms:

Pixel: In Computer graphics, a pixel, dot, or picture element is a physical point in a picture. A pixel is simply the smallest addressable element of a picture represented on a screen. A majority of pictures that we see on our computer screen are raster images. The selfie that you click with your mobile phone is another example of a raster image. An image is made up using a collection of pixels referred to as a bitmap.
Bitmap: In computer graphics, a bitmap is a mapping from some domain (for example, a range of integers) to bits, that is, values which are zero or one. It is also called a bit array or bitmap index. The more general term pixmap refers to a map of pixels, where each one may store more than two colors, thus using more than one bit per pixel.Often bitmap is used for this as well. In some contexts, the term bitmap implies one bit per pixel, while pixmap is used for images with multiple bits per pixel.

Raster Graphics Raster images use bit maps to store information. This means a large file needs a large bitmap. The larger the image, the more disk space the image file will take up. As an example, a 640 x 480 image requires information to be stored for 307,200 pixels, while a 3072 x 2048 image (from a 6.3 Megapixel digital camera) needs to store information for a whopping 6,291,456 pixels.

We use algorithms that compress images to help reduce these file sizes. Image formats like jpeg and gif are common compressed image formats. Scaling down these images is easy but enlarging a bitmap makes it pixelated or simply blurred. Hence for images that need to scale to different sizes, we use vector graphics.

File extensions: .BMP, .TIF, .GIF, .JPG

Vector Graphics Making use of sequential commands or mathematical statements or programs which place lines or shapes in a 2-D or 3-D environment is referred to as Vector Graphics. Vector graphics are best for printing since it is composed of a series of mathematical curves. As a result vector graphics print crisply even when they are enlarged.

In physics: A vector is something that has a magnitude and direction. In vector graphics, the file is created and saved as a sequence of vector statements. Rather than having a bit in the file for each bit of line drawing, we use commands which describe a series of points to be connected. As a result, a much smaller file is obtained.

File extensions: SVG, EPS, PDF, AI, DXF

Conversions Vector to Raster: Printers and display devices are raster devices. As a result, we need to convert vector images to raster format before they can be used i.e displayed or printed. The required resolution plays a vital role in determining the size of the raster file generated. Here it is important to note that the size of the vector image to be converted always remains the same. It is convenient to convert a vector file to a range of bitmap/raster file formats but going down the opposite paths is harder. ( because at times we need to edit the image while converting from raster to vector) Raster to Vector: Image tracing in computing can be referred to as vectorization and it’s simply the conversion of raster images to vector images. An interesting application of vectorization is to update images and recover work. Vectorization can be used to retrieve information that we have lost. Paint in Microsoft Windows produces a bitmap output file. It is easy to notice jagged lines in Paint. In this kind of conversion, the image size reduces drastically. As a result, an exact conversion is not possible in this scenario. Due to various approximations and editing that are done in the process of conversion the converted images are not of good quality.

Aspect	Raster Images	Vector Images
Definition	Made up of pixels (tiny squares of color).	Made up of paths defined by mathematical equations.
File Formats	JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIFF.	SVG, AI, EPS, PDF, CDR.
Scalability	Lose quality when scaled up (pixelation occurs).	Infinitely scalable without losing quality.
Resolution	Resolution-dependent (measured in DPI or PPI).	Resolution-independent.
Best Use Cases	Photographs, detailed artwork, and web graphics.	Logos, icons, illustrations, and print designs.
Editing Flexibility	Limited; editing pixels can reduce quality.	Highly flexible; paths and shapes can be easily modified.
File Size	Larger file sizes, especially for high-resolution images.	Smaller file sizes, as they store mathematical data.
Software	Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, Corel Photo-Paint.	Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, Inkscape.
Complexity	Easier to create detailed, realistic images.	Better for clean, geometric, and scalable designs.
Print Quality	Requires high resolution for good print quality.	Always sharp and clear, ideal for printing.

I. GIMP¶

Removing Background of image using GIMP.

Download GIMP form here.
Install GIMP.
To explore GIMP with an image, I downloaded an image from here. This Image is from the animation “Raya and the Dragon”.
Open GIMP and open the image you want to work on.
Use Scissors Select Tool which select shapes using intelligent edge-fitting.
To use Scissors select tool, click on the Scissors icon. Make boundary around the part of the image you want to keep.
Once you finish selecting the part of image you want to keep, click enter to select the part.
Then go to Select and invert the scissors select part so that you can remove the unwanted part of image (the background).
Hit delete key to remove the background.

II. Inkscape¶

Converting Raster Image to Vector image so that it cen be used well for laser cutting.¶

Download Inkscape from here.
Install it on your computer.
Open Inkscape and start working on Raster to Vector conversion. I have used this image downloaded form here.
Open the image in Inkscape or import the image to Inkscape.
Select the imported image and go to “Trace Bitmap” to convert your raster image to vector image.
Adjust the threshold and other parameters to get an optimal vector image.
Comparing raster image and vector image of the same.

Resultant vector image of the raster to vector conversion.

Designing a sticker for my final project. “Head Rest” is a name for my final project.¶

Open Inkscape.
Insert an ellipse and size it properly.
Insert Text “Head Rest”.
I Changed the font style to Forte and size it so that it fit into the ellipse.

C. Exploring 3D Modeling Software and Learning Rendering, Animation, and Simulation Techniques¶

To understand the basic of 3D modelling I went through coursera’s freely available tutorial.

3D modeling is a tool used to help turn ideas into tangible products. As a versatile technique, 3D modeling has grown in its applications across various industries, from animation and gaming to manufacturing and beyond. Today, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is streamlining the 3D modeling process, allowing designers to automate portions of the process, like optimizing according to various criteria, to focus on overcoming design barriers and challenges. Drawing on AI can enhance the quality of the models and create them at faster speeds for enhanced renderings. Using 3D modeling, you can create a digital representation based on an existing or imagined object that conveys the physical or planned object’s size, shape, and texture. Unlike 2D models, you can view 3D models from any angle—modified, scaled, and rotated—within the specialized 3D modeling software.

The three dimensions of 3D objects refer to an object’s height, width, and depth. The basic building blocks of 3D models typically include vertices, edges, and polygons:

Vertices: Points that define your model’s shape.
Edges: Straight lines that connect the vertices.
Polygons: Surfaces created by connecting the edges of your model or where two polygonal faces meet.

This is the list of open-source 3D modeling software given to me by DeepSeek:

Open-Source 3D Modeling Software¶

i. Blender
- A powerful, all-in-one 3D suite for modeling, sculpting, animation, rendering, and simulation.
- Supports game development, VFX, and 3D printing.

ii. FreeCAD
- Parametric 3D CAD software for product design and engineering.
- Ideal for mechanical and architectural modeling.

iii. OpenSCAD
- A script-based 3D modeling tool for creating precise 3D models.
- Best for programmers and engineers.

iv. Tinkercad (Web-based)
- Beginner-friendly, browser-based 3D design tool.
- Great for simple models and 3D printing.

v. MeshLab
- Focused on processing and editing 3D mesh files.
- Useful for cleaning and optimizing 3D scans.

vi. Wings 3D
- A lightweight, easy-to-use subdivision modeler.
- Suitable for organic and hard-surface modeling.

vii. BRL-CAD
- A cross-platform CAD system for engineering and design.
- Known for its high precision and ray-tracing capabilities.

viii. SolveSpace
- Parametric 3D CAD with constraints-based modeling.
- Great for mechanical parts and assemblies.

ix. Art of Illusion
- A simple, Java-based 3D modeling and rendering tool.
- Good for beginners and hobbyists.

x. MakeHuman
- Specialized for creating realistic 3D human models.
- Often used in animation, games, and simulations.

I have decided to explore Blender and Fusion 360 further after attending an introductory class on both software programs led by our local instructor and Fab Guru, Rico. I am excited to delve deeper into learning Blender and Fusion 360, as I currently have very minimal skills, despite having used these two software programs before for simple modeling.

Exploring Blender following a Hard-surface Modelling Fundamentals tutorial recommended by Guru Rico:¶

I started by downloading Blender from here.
Installing blender on my computer.
I will be following Blender Hard-Surface Modeling Fundamentals tutorial from Youtube. This interesting tutorial is recommended by Guru Rico.
Started with the tutorial by exploring how to navigate through blender and quite intimated by all the tools available on Blender.

Modelling the main coffee cup¶

Adding “Round Cube” from Mesh with Shit + A hotkey while keeping working in Object mode.
Learned how to install extension for additional module and tools. For this tutorial, I installed extension for “Extra Mesh Objects”.
Select the object and switch up to the Edit Mode so that I can work with geometry of an object.

Notes: Hotkeys: Numpad 1:Vetex slection
Numpad 2:Edge Selection Numpad 3:Face selection

Select above half of the mesh.
Delete the selected mesh.
Select the edge of the mesh.
Extrude it with Ctrl + e hotkey and jump back to object Mode using tap.
Select the model, Click on Modifier menu on right side.
Add Subdivision Surface Modifier to it.
Left click and give Shade Auto Smooth.
Result of Shade Auto Smooth.
Go to modifier.
Similarly Add Solidify Modifier to give some thickness for your cup and give the desired thickness for you cup.
And also add Bevel Modifier for make edges of the cup smoother and checked Harden Normals under the same Modifier.
Duplicate the cup by selecting the cup.
Pressing Shit + d scale it down with S.
select the inner cup, jump into Edit Mode, press 2 on numpad to activate edge select and select the edges. Then clik e to extrude, right click to drop and s to scale it accordingly.

Modelling the handle for the coffee Cup¶

Jump back to Object Mode Select the outer cup and jump right back to Edit Mode. click 2 on numpad to activate edge select.
Select one vertical line so that you can created horizontal loop cut.
Ctrl + R to create a Loop cut.
select the cup and Jump to edit mode, chose a vertex where you want to make the handle for your cup. Click Shift + S and choose Select Cursor to Selected”. Like earlier click Shit + A –> Mesh–> cube to add a cube to model handle for the cup. Resize the cube according to your liking using S/S+X(Sizing in X direction),S+Y(Sizing in Y direction),S+X(Sizing in Y direction).
Removing certain parts from the cube to model the handle for the cup.
Use Bridge faces to remove the middle part of handle.
Select and delete the front side of the handle.
Straighten the angle faces at the end of handle.

Ctrl + 2 to add Subdivision Surface Modifier.
Add Bevel Modifier.
Result of Bevel Modifier.
Fill the empty handle to make it solid surface.
Select the edges at the two ends of the handle.
Give crease to two ends of the handle.
Make a vertical loop cut on the handle and go to the Modifier.
Select all the faces and group them so that you can use them for Shrinkwrap Modifier.
Use Shrinkwrap to project the handle on the cup.

Modelling an eye for the coffee cup¶

Move the cursor where you want to model an eye for your coffee cup. Add Cylinder from Mesh.
Create Inset to model the hollow for the eye.
Grid fill the edges left behind earlier.
Extrude the gird filled edges and move it into the eye.
Give Subdivision Surface Modifier and give crease.

Modelling Leg¶

Move the cursor on a point where you want to model leg for the coffee cup and add cylinder. Position the cylinder and also size it properly. Then give Subdivision Surface Modifier.
Enter into isolation mode to focus on modelling the leg.
Give crease and create inset on the middle of the cylinder. Also give Bevel Modifier.
Exit Isolation mode and add cube from Primitive tools.
Size and position the cube as desired.
Use Primitive tools with Boolean operation to style your leg with slicing. To use Bool tools, install Bool tools and add another cube which can be used as the object for boolean operation.
Add two loop cut parallel to each other.
Enter Face select Mode, select one face and drag it form a desired shape.
Now use non-destructive boolean operation slice the leg.
Result of Bool Operation.
Duplicate the part of leg already created to create lower part of the leg.
Now to duplicate leg to create another leg, snap the cursor to the world origin and use the cursor as a transform Pivot Point.
Now, duplicate the leg and mirror it.

Modelling Initial on the coffee cup.¶

Add plane and position it in front of the cup where you want to put an initial on the coffee cup.
Subdivide the plane in 10x10 and draw FA (FabAcademy) by selecting the faces.
Invert the selection and delete it.
Add some corner details and Use Shrinkwrap to project the letters on the coffee cup.
Result of Shrinkwarp.

Adding HDRI¶

Go to Shade Editor
Enter World Mode and add Environment texture.
Download HDRI from here
Connect Environment Texture to Background color and add downloaded HDRI.
Hide the HDRI by adding another background.
Add Mix Shader
Add light path factor

Giving Material properties¶

Give material Properties to all the parts of your coffee cup.
Final Result

Another blender tutorial to learn some basics of animation¶

Add a cube and a plane and size the. Now, add Rig on the cube to create simple animation.
Go to timeline.
Now create a multiple copies of cube (in different form and position to make it look like it bouncing) in different time frame.
Switch to Graph Editor mode.
Simple animation in Constant Graph Mode.
Use Bezier Interpolation Mode to make your bouncing cube more smoother.
Animation in Bezier Interpolation Mode.
Final Result:

D. Learning How to Compress Videos Using HandBrake¶

Download HandBrake from here
Open HandBrake and open the video you want to compress
Checked the web optimized option for optimal web integration.
Click “Start Encode” to start compressing the video.
Once finished compressing, browse for directory to save the compressed video and also rename it as desired.
Size comparison of original video and compressed video.

E. Learning How to compress Image using XnConvert¶

Open XnConvert.
Open an image or batch of images for compression.For single image compression, import the image.
Select the imported image.
Go to Select Menu and reduce the size and resolution of image to compress it.
Go to Output Menu and give relevant file name, directory to save the compressed image and image format.
Hit Convert to compress the image
To compress multiple images in batch, follow above steps but give a good naming rules so that you will can manage larges number of compressed images conveniently.
Size comparison of original image and compressed image.

Design Files¶

i. Coffee Cup Blender file..

ii. Bouncing Cube Blender file.

iii. Raya (Background Removed in Inkscape).

iv. Vector Image (raster to vector conversion on Inkscape).

v. Sticker Design for my Final Project.