3D Model of Maze Solving Robot
For this week our assignment was to explore different 2D and 3D design softwares and create illustration of our final project using both of them
Objectives:
2D Graphics can be further divided in 2 types
In computer graphics, a raster graphics or bitmap image is a dot matrix data structure, representing a generally rectangular grid of pixels, or points of color.
Some of the most common softwares of the Raster Graphics are :
I started exploring photoshop, as I haven't previously worked on it. It is widely known platform for the image processing and effects. I always wanted to get the basic grip on it, but everytime I tried to work on it, it looked quite complex so I never gave it a deep dive.
But for this assignment I chose to use this as the base of my project proposal banner. I made a few things already on photoshop like removing backgrounds and adding borders etc.
Project Model
Project Model
Vector graphics is the use of polygons to represent images in computer graphics. In vector graphics vectors are used for the node points instead of the pixels and colors.
Some of the most common Vector Graphics softwares
For this part of assignment, I chose to work on the model of the car. Initially my idea was to make the toy car model for my final project, but later on I changed as it was difficult to change the electronics and other parts once the toy car model was built.
The reason for my choosing the inkscape for vector graphics part was basically for 2 reasons.
There are numerous tutorials availble for the inkscape, I also chose one random tutorial from the www.Youtube.com
Inkscape Platform
I imported the car pic which I liked in the inkscape and then went to apply some filters. I applied the image trace filter and stroke only filter to get the lines of the car instead of the whole model.
Car Model
Once the model was inserted in the inkscape now it was the time for me the go draw the outlines and fill them with color accordingly. I chose bazier curve tool, as it is easier to draw the curves and alter them even after the curves are drawn.
Final Inkscape Hero Shot
Download the 2D models from here :
After 2D now it was the time to work on 3D modelling (my favourite and most complicated). Well inititally I faced quite a few challenges in working on 3D Modelling softwares as most of them doesn't contain full functionality, most of them are special purpose based softwares.
3D modelling softwares are also divided in 2 categories :
Paramatric 3d Modelling is special type of modelling, were variables are used as the reference points for the modelling parameters. If the value of variable is changed the whole model will change according to it.
Fusion 360 is the autocad's product and quite popular one. It supports the paramatric designing. Fusion 360 CAD/CAM software connects your entire product design & development process in a single tool.
I used simple polygon lines to create the outline of the wheel
Creating lines for the wheel
Once the outline was created now it was the time for me to revolve them, there is a command under sketch, which is called revolve. It revolves the lines according to the angle. So I revolved the wheel forward in 360 degree.
Extruded according to the size of the wheel
Once the wheel was ready now it was the time to add some features of wheels like rims, etc ... so I removed the extra parts using negative extrusion.
Removed extra parts to create rims
For final project I needed 2 wheels so I copied one over
Drawn the base on the wheels
Full model along with the caster wheel
Non-Paramateric 3D modelling is normal modelling, in which valeus are used directly instead of variables for the parameters. If you have the change something in model, you will have quite difficulty.
Rhinoceros is a commercial 3D computer graphics and computer-aided design (CAD) application software developed by Robert McNeel & Associates.
Initially when I started working on Rhino, I felt it is quite complicated, as you have to remember various commands just to do the basic job. But even though it is complex but it can be counted as general purpose 3D modelling software. You can model 3d, you can model drawing etc. It also supports CAM and CAD.
I understood one thing after falling hard by working on blender, that if you don't know about the rhino, Fab Lab is not your thing. Most of the tasks in the lab are done on Rhino.
Well after working on fusion, rhino was now a little less complex, as I also remembered a few commands after working on it for a couple of days. I needed laser cut the Acrylic sheet for my final project as well as I also created design for my final project in Rhino.
I used polygon lines and mirror command to draw the lines and mirror them accordingly.
Drawing the wheel
After lines, I used revolve command to create the wheel from lines. You have to give inputs like angle, direction etc.
Extruding wheel and finishing it up
Making a pulley, as it is the part of my final project
Complete project, ready for the 3D print and laser cut
Some commands which I used during Rhino
| Revolve | This command revolves and creates the mesh according to the revolving of the lines. |
| WireCut | This command cuts the solid or mesh object with the tool you have selected. |
| Mirror | This command mirrors the selected mesh or lines. |
| Extrude | There are many variants of extrude command available like extrudesrf, extrudecrv etc, basic function of this command is the same, it creates solid object from the drawing with the depth provided. |
Here are the models available for download :
