The assignment for the week was to model, draw, render, animate, simulate a possible final project and post it on our page. This was after we evaluated the various commercial and open-source 2D and 3D programs that ranged from design software to 3D modeling software. This included game engines, audio, video, simulation and design software.
REFLECTIONS ON THE GLOBAL LECTURE
The weekly global lecture introduced us to computer-aided design. We started with 2D design and the difference between rastering and vectoring. Raster is composed of pixels arranged in different colors to display a picture. Most raster file extensions are .gif, .png or .jpeg. The vector image files are made up of paths. This allows for scaling to be done without distortion. The paths scale and retain their appearance since it is based on mathematical formulas. These file extensions are .ai, .pdf or .eps. Raster images are better used for color and photographs due to the myriad of colors and editing and color corrections. Vector files are better used for scalable logos, icons, or letterhead design. Commercially popular programs like Adobe Photoshop is a raster program while Adobe Illustrator is a vector program.
2D Raster and Vector Programs
Adobe PhotoShop CC
I used Adobe Photoshop CC to create a basic layout of my final project. The final project is an automatic food dispensing mechanism in aquarium, which let people to go out without worrying, about feeding of their fishes.
This is the first time I used Photoshop. Therefore, after installing the trial version, I took some online tutorials and with the help of one of my friend who is well acquaintance to Photoshop, I could complete 2D raster graphic of my final project. Photoshop is highly professional software and required dedicated efforts to learn.
I also used AutoCad to create the vector graphic image of my project. Autocad is very basic software but very powerful tool for 2D modelling, 3-4 hours of dedicated efforts are required to understand this software. It is user friendly and plenty of tutorials are available online to get you started. I also tried my hands-on Adobe Illustrator. But, it was entirely new for me and found a bit difficult to work on. But, Adobe Illustrator is a great feature rich program to create vector graphics. I do prefer learning the industry standard Adobe Illustrator in detail after completion of FabAcademy 2017 course.
I choose to work on SolidWorks and NX for making 3D models because I have worked on both before and is familiar with them.
The rendering features of SolidWorks is very impressive. While on the other hand NX is a PLM-Product Lifecycle Management software. It provide full package of CAD, CAM, and CAE in one single software. It has a lot more feature compared with any other CAD softwares.
The learning curve for SolidWorks is significant, but easy once you understand the basic concepts of the workflow. It is extremely powerful in what is can produce and why some believe it is the industry standard 3D CAD software.
SolidWorks
Using solidworks I made 3D models of all the parts which is being used in the mechanism of my project.
My project mainly consists of mainly following three components:
