This week's assignment is to model draw, render, animate or simulate a possible final project, and post the web page. There are several software packages available, ranging from free to expensive and simple to elaborative. One of the assignments of this class is also to familiarize ourselves with
these 2D and 3D programs. We were given a list of these software programs to try out. After installing several of them, i realized that i would be more practical to follow several introductory tutorials on youtube on these softwate packages to get a general feel of what these software
packages can do. I would like to find a tool that will do most of what i need and is free or cheap.
My project will focus on building a cheaply reproducable hydroponics module, which will be connected to other modules. These modules will, while recording their own temperature, water humidity and PH level, communicate their information to the other modules (or the one above it), so it can pass water and nutrients though the system if so needed. The modules
are a bit chunky in the video, but i expect them to be smaller in the future. This all depends on how big the electronics part is going to be and if there are any things to be added. The modules can be arranged in anyway and so they can be adapted to their surroundings. The modules can be stacked against the wall, fill an entire room or arranged in anyway.
The model is made in sketchup and can be downloaded here.
Difference between raster and vector
The difference between vector and raster graphics is that raster graphics are composed of pixels, while vector graphics are composed of paths.
2.1 raster based software
picture, scan
The easiest would be to make a picture or scan of the project we would make, but it will only help to give an impression of what you would like to make, but i will not help you generate the actual idea.
GIMP
GIMP is an acronym for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a freely distributed program for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring.
It has many capabilities. It can be used as a simple paint program, an expert quality photo retouching program, an online batch processing system, a mass production image renderer, an image format converter, etc.
GIMP is expandable and extensible. It is designed to be augmented with plug-ins and extensions to do just about anything. The advanced scripting interface allows everything from the simplest task to the most complex image manipulation procedures to be easily scripted.
Photoshop
There are several versions of this photo editing program, ranging from easy (family pictures) to complex (professional photographers). The program is not free, but you can download a trial version, but photoshop has an express online editor. This will enable you to easy modifications online without installing the software.
MyPaint
MyPaint is a fast and easy open-source graphics application for digital painters. It lets you focus on the art instead of the program. You work on your canvas with minimum distractions, bringing up the interface only when you need it. This program is particularly suited for sketching. My first impression is that it would not suit my requirements.
2.2 vector based software
lodraw
Draw lets you produce anything from a quick sketch to a complex plan, and gives you the means to communicate with graphics and diagrams. With a maximum page size of 300cm by 300cm, Draw is a an excellent package for producing technical drawings, general posters, and much else.
Inkscape
An Open Source vector graphics editor, with capabilities similar to Illustrator, CorelDraw, or Xara X, using the W3C standard Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file format.
Inkscape supports many advanced SVG features (markers, clones, alpha blending, etc.) and a streamlined interface.
Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is the leading vector graphics editor developed and marketed by Adobe Systems. The latest version, Illustrator CS6, is the sixteenth generation in the product line. It's not free, but you can download a trial version.
Scribus
Scribus is an Open Source program that brings professional page layout software which generates press-ready output with new approaches to page design.
LibreCAD
LibreCAD is a free Open Source CAD application for Windows, Apple and Linux. Support and documentation is free from our large, dedicated community of users, contributors and developers.
QCAD
QCAD is an application for computer aided drafting in two dimensions (2d). With QCAD you can create technical drawings such as plans for buildings, interiors, mechanical parts or schematics and diagrams. QCAD works on Windows, Mac OS X and many Linux and Unix Systems. The source code of the QCAD Community Edition is released under the GPL (Open Source). The program is not free, but you can download a free trial. The free trial version will terminate after 10 to 15 minutes and you will not be able to restart it.
FreeCAD (also 3D)
The Draft workbench allows to quickly draw simple 2D objects in the current document, and offers several tools to modify them afterwards. Some of these tools also work on all other FreeCAD objects, not only those created with the Draft workbench. It also provides a complete snapping system, and several utilities to manage objects and settings.
Layout
Layout is the built-in CAD software that creates tool paths. Layout includes all the basic commands you'd expect to find in a CAD package. Layout allows you to import drawings directly from other programs, work with standard DXF files and other file formats, and includes a feature, which lets you take an image from a scanner, digital camera, or even the Internet for quick conversion into a vector drawing. The program is not free, but the capability of transfering a picture into a vector drawing might come in handy with this project.
Constructive Solid Geometry
Constructive solid geometry allows a modeler to create a complex surface or object by using Boolean operators to combine objects. CSG is popular because a modeler can use a set of relatively simple objects to create very complicated geometry.
One of the advantages of CSG is that it can easily assure that objects are "solid" or water-tight if all of the primitive shapes are water-tight. This can be important for some manufacturing or engineering computation applications.
hierarchical, parametric, procedural
Parametric modeling uses parameters to define a model (dimensions, for example). Examples of parameters are: dimensions used to create model features, material density, formulas to describe swept features, imported data (that describe a reference surface, for example). The parameter may be modified later, and the model will update to reflect the modification. Typically, there is a relationship between parts, assemblies, and drawings. A part consists of multiple features, and an assembly consists of multiple parts. Drawings can be made from either parts or assemblies.
boundary representation (b-rep)
In solid modeling and computer-aided design, boundary representation (often abbreviated as B-rep or BREP)is a method for representing shapes using the limits. A solid is represented as a collection of connected surface elements, the boundary between solid and non-solid.
function representation (f-rep)
Function Representation is used in solid modeling, volume modeling and computer graphics. FRep was introduced in "Function representation in geometric modeling: concepts, implementation and applications" as a uniform representation of multidimensional geometric objects (shapes).
GUIs, scripting, hardware description languages
These are ways of talking to the computer to model, ranging from simple and intuitive to complex.
2.4 programs
fab modules
A tool to design 2D and 3D objects, functions to generate 2D and 3D toolpaths and GUIs workflow from design files to machine commands.
SketchUp
SketchUp is a 3D modelling program for a broad range of applications such as architectural, civil, mechanical, film as well as video game design (and available in free as well as 'professional' versions). This program also has an addin, which i plan to use to show how my model is going to operate.
123D
123D enables you to catch real objects in photos and then generate a 3d model. It's free and it's online.
Tinkercad
Could not get this program to run on my computer. It needs WebGL, which i do not have on my computer.
Blender
Blender is a free and open-source 3D computer graphics software product used for creating animated films, visual effects, interactive 3D applications or video games
Art of Illusion
Art of Illusion is a free, open source 3D modelling and rendering studio. Many of its capabilities rival those found in commercial programs. Highlights include subdivision surface based modelling tools, skeleton based animation, and a graphical language for designing procedural textures and materials.
OpenSCAD
OpenSCAD is a software for creating solid 3D CAD objects. It is free software and available for Linux/UNIX, MS Windows and Mac OS X. OpenSCAD is not an interactive modeller. Instead it is something like a 3D-compiler that reads in a script file that describes the object and renders the 3D model from a script file.
Rhino
Rhinoceros (Rhino) is a stand-alone, commercial NURBS-based 3-D modeling software. The software is commonly used for industrial design, architecture, marine design, jewelry design, automotive design, CAD / CAM, rapid prototyping, reverse engineering, product design as well as the multimedia and graphic design industries.
Inventor (Commercial)
Inventor 3D CAD software products offer a comprehensive, flexible set of software for 3D mechanical design, product simulation, tooling creation, engineer to order, and design communication. Inventor takes you beyond 3D to Digital Prototyping by enabling you to produce an accurate 3D model that can help you design, visualize, and simulate your products before they are built.
This product is not free.
AutoCAD (Commercial)
AutoCAD is a software application for computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting.
Maya (Commercial)
Autodesk Maya 3D animation software delivers a comprehensive creative feature set with tools for animation, modeling, simulation, rendering, matchmoving, and compositing on a highly extensible production platform.
Alias (Commercial)
Alias® industrial design software powers your creative design process with a range of innovative sketching, modeling, surfacing, and visualization tools that can help you create compelling designs. This product is not free.
Catia (Commercial)
CATIA supports multiple stages of product development (CAx), from conceptualization, design (CAD), manufacturing (CAM), and engineering (CAE). CATIA facilitates collaborative engineering across disciplines, including surfacing & shape design, mechanical engineering, equipment and systems engineering.
There are several audio and video editing programs available to record your model. Audacity is a free, open source and cross platform software for recording and editing of sound. Kdenlive is an intuitive and powerful multi-track video editor, including most recent video technologies and it is free. FFmpeg is a complete, cross-platform solution to record, convert and stream audio and video. VLC is a free and open source multimediaplayer.
