Week 2

Computer-Aided Design

This week, I explored a few different design programs. I have downloaded Gimp, to edit images, and Inkscape to create vector based designs. I am much more familiar with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, but I have gotten a bit more familiar with these programs, as they also have their advantages. The Media Arts Lab here at AS220 is fully equipped with the Adobe Creative Cloud, which will serve as as a good back up, just in case!

I am less familiar with 3D design software. First, I attempted to use Sketchup, as it was suggested by a few friends. After making slow progress, I decided to give Fusion 360 a try. I watched a few different tutorials to get a better grasp on this program, but in the end, felt that Sketchup was a more natural fit for my work style. Upon returning to Sketchup, I felt like it was much easier to grasp and utilize. I then watched the tutorials offered by Sketchup, which were very helpful. Forms that took me a half hour to build prior to watching the tutorials now are easily created in minutes using different functions of the program, such as the offset tool. The offset tool allowed me to create the inside cut-out of the rectangle I had created for the frame so that it was equidistant to all of the edges. Without this tool, it would have been a bit more challenging. I could then push and pull the surfaces I created with the offset tool to adjust their various heights. It was great to be able to be so specific with the heights that I designated for the sides of the frame in Sketchup.

Nicolas, my classmate for FabAcademy at AS220, is an architect who uses this program often, so he was able to give me some helpful tips, such as using reference points. He also taught me how to scale objects. We also explored using the 3D Warehouse, which came in handy when I needed a battery for my illuminated frame. After watching a tutorial on screenprinting with electroluminescent inks, I decided to represent this process on the surface of the frame. I enjoyed making the model look slightly more accurate regarding colors and textures and will explore this more in the future.

2D Files

3D File

3 February - 9 February 2016