In the second week, we worked on comparing different 2D and 3D design software programs. In 2D, I designed a logo representing my final project in both programs I compared, and in 3D, I designed a part of my smart glove where its controller will be located, also in both programs. I also created a animation of the initial 3D design concept for the robot arm.
I approached two 2D design software programs, Inkscape and Affiniti, from Camva. What I did was, as I already said, a logo related to my final project. I took the image, vectorized it, and modified it with the software tools, then exported it as a .jpg. I used Gemini as a reference image, since I'm not a very good artist. I've attached the original image and the prompt I used.
"Create a circular, technical-style vector logo that represents the intersection of robotics and human anatomy. In the center, there should be a robotic arm based on my sketch of my final project, positioned in front of a stylized black human hand with integrated circuit patterns and microchip lines on its surface."
Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics editor used to create and edit vector graphics. This program is primarily used to create logos, illustrations, and artwork that require high quality and scalability.
When you open Inkscape, a window will pop up where you can open previous projects, create new ones, or import files to modify them. In my case, I imported the AI-generated image using the "open" option, selected the image, and clicked "open" again.
Another window will appear to configure the import; personally, I don't change anything and just click OK.
After that, the image will open, ready to be modified.
In order to modify the image I had to vectorize it, using the vectorize bitmap option located in the Stroke drop-down menu at the top of the screen.
A window will open on the right side of the screen where you will see 3 options for vectorizing bitmaps: single pass, multicolor, and pixel art. Single pass generates a single black and white vector path based on a brightness threshold, ideal for silhouettes and line drawings. Multicolor allows you to break down the image into multiple layers of color or gray levels, recreating the visual complexity of the original by overlapping shapes. Pixel art is a specialized function for low-resolution images that translates each pixel into a precise geometric shape, maintaining the grid aesthetic without blurring the edges.
I used the parameters shown in the image. After applying vectorization, delete the original image to work with the result.
The first change was removing the "Technology & Humanity" text from the bottom of the logo using the eraser tool. Then, with the node tool, I tweaked the details slightly to improve their appearance. Using the paint bucket tool, I filled the arm with colors that matched my website. Finally, with the pen tool, I added highlights and shadows to give the drawing more detail.
Affinity Designer is a free, professional graphic design software that combines vector and pixel-based tools in a single, fluid interface. It's ideal for creating logos, illustrations, and digital art that require maximum precision, standing out for its high speed. A Canva account is required to use the software.
When you open Affinity, a window pops up where you can see recent projects, create new files, and also find tutorials as a welcome to Affinity. To modify the AI-generated image, simply click on the button with the folder symbol and select the image you want to modify.
After that, the image will open, ready to be modified.
Affinity has four studies, of which we will look at two.
To vectorize the image, we must select the vector studio, select the image, open the drop-down menu called Vector located at the top, and then click on image trace.
A small window will open with two parameters: threshold limit, which regulates the tool's sensitivity to pixel brightness, and curve adjustment tolerance, which determines the vector's fidelity to the bitmap. A higher tolerance simplifies shapes by creating smoother curves with fewer nodes. There will also be an option to split the project to view the before and after in real time.
When you click apply, it transforms the pixel image into vector-based figures.
As in Inkscape, the first change was to remove the text "Technology and Humanity" from the bottom of the logo using the Eraser brush tool. With the Vector Fluid Fill tool, I filled the arm with colors that matched my website. Since the lighting and shadows were preserved in this software, I only had to change their colors.
As an engineering student, my workflow has been closely tied to the technical precision of Inkscape, so the transition to Affinity has represented a significant shift in my 2D design experience. While I'm aware that I've only just begun to explore Affinity's capabilities and professional potential, the tools I've tried so far haven't managed to displace my familiarity with it. When comparing the features and logic of both programs, I still prefer Inkscape for now, as it better suits my current needs and the agility I seek in my projects.
I tried two 3D design software programs, Solidworks and Onshape. What I did was, as I already said, the first version of the piece where the PCB of the smart glove will be found. I made a small basic sketch of my idea of what the part should be like and started designing it using Extrude, Remove and Shell tools.
SolidWorks is a 3D computer-aided design (CAD) software based on parametric modeling, which allows the creation of parts and structures using precise dimensions and geometric relationships. With this tool, it is possible to design everything from individual components to complex mechanical assemblies, and also to perform engineering simulations to test material strength and the movement of mechanisms.
When you open Solidwork, a window will pop up showing recent files, options to create new parts, assemblies, or technical drawings. In this case, we will only use the part option to generate the file where my idea will be designed.
After creating a new Part file, the space will open to start creating your piece. To do this you must first select a plane and enter sketch. Within the sketch you can create a 2D drawing of the profile that you want to make a body, it is important that the figures are closed and do not cross each other so that the Extrude tools work correctly.
Unlike other programs, SolidWorks uses a parametric approach, meaning that the design is built from geometric relationships and dimensions that can be edited at any stage of the process. The interface is designed to follow a logical workflow from two-dimensional idea to final solid. Next, we will explore the three main areas that allow this full control over the geometry:
Onshape is a fully cloud-based computer-aided design (CAD) platform that enables parametric modeling directly from the browser, eliminating the need for complex installations or high-performance hardware. It is distinguished by being a free-to-use tool for public and learning projects, facilitating real-time collaboration and integrated version control.
When you open Onshape, a dashboard appears showing your recent projects, folders, and shared documents. Since it is a cloud-based platform, you don't need to install software; you simply use the "Create" button to start a new document where the part or assembly will be designed.
After creating a new document, the 3D workspace opens to begin your design. You must first select one of the default planes (Top, Front, or Right) and activate the Sketch tool to reveal the 2D drawing toolbar. Using these tools, you will be able to trace the profile of your piece; It is essential to ensure that all geometries are completely closed and free of intersections to allow the Extrude or Revolve functions to generate the 3D body correctly.
Onshape operates on a cloud-based parametric system, allowing you to create and refine designs through geometric constraints and variables accessible from any browser. The interface is structured to support a fluid workflow where documents house multiple parts and assemblies in a single location. Next, we'll explore the key sections of your interface that enable this integrated design approach:
As an engineering student, my workflow has relied on the technical robustness of SolidWorks, so exploring Onshape has provided me with an interesting perspective on cloud-based design. While I recognize that Onshape is an excellent, intuitive, and accessible option, especially for those seeking a free, browser-based tool that requires no installation, I still prefer SolidWorks for my more demanding projects. Its advanced simulation capabilities and the familiarity of its professional interface allow me a level of precision and agility that, for now, remains my primary choice for complex mechanical engineering tasks.
To generate a motion animation, the first essential step is to have an assembly where the parts are correctly linked using Mates, allowing specific degrees of freedom for the moving components. Once the assembly is configured, access the New Motion Study tab located at the top of the interface.
In this environment, it's possible to use rotary or linear motors to automate movement, however, for this project, the free-drag technique proved simpler and more effective. By moving the robotic arm directly with the mouse within the motion study, I was able to position the components intuitively, allowing the software to automatically record keyframes to visualize the mechanism's operating range.
To optimize and compress my images, I used the Scale Image option in GIMP to reduce their physical dimensions. B y adjusting the width and height, I was able to eliminate unnecessary data and drastically reduce the file size without compromising quality. I was also able to export the images as .jpg files, a smaller file format.
To compress the videos I use FFmpeg which is a free software project that consists of a huge collection of libraries and tools capable of recording, converting and transmitting audio and video in almost any existing format.
C:\Program Files\ffmpeg.
C:\Program Files\ffmpeg\bin.
ffmpeg -version to confirm it is working.
Once installed we must go to the folder where we have the video that we want to compress from the terminal with the cd command, once located we will use the following command
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "scale=-2:720" -c:v libx264 -preset slow -crf 30 -pix_fmt yuv420p -movflags +faststart -an output_new.mp4
