2. Computer-Aided Design

Procedure:
0. Assignment Go
1. Experiment with new programs + have a basic ideas of my lightning device. Go
2. Improving my Rhino skills by doing my 1st 'container' design. Go
3. Solid Works Tutorial + container. Go
4. Adobe Premier - Creating My Final Project Video Go
5. Rhinoceros + Adobe Photoshop - Creating my Model Go
7. Download files (at the end of the page) Go

8. Check on my portfolio for AutoCad, Revit, Photoshop drawings, photography, photographic collages and designs. About Me

Programs used: Gimp, Inkscape, Rhino, Solid Works.
Programs I am used to use: Autocad 2d + 3D, Photoshop, Illustrator, Autodesk Revit, Sketchup, InDesign.

0. Assignment

Model (draw, render, animate, simulate, ...) a possible final project, and post it on your class page with original 2D and 3D files.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Evaluate and select 2D and 3D software
Demonstrate and describe processes used in modelling with 2D and 3D software

HAVE YOU...

Modelled experimental objects/part of a possible project in 2D and 3D software
Shown how you did it with words/images/screenshots
Included your original design files

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1. Computer-Aided Design

These past years, studying Architecture led me to different computer-aided programs, control them and draw all my projects. The ones I have control of are: Autocad 2d and 3d, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, intermediate level of Autodesk Revit and a basic knowledge in Rhinoceros. What I have decided is to use open source programs such as Gimp, and Inkscape, and for 3d modelling, SolidWorks and Rhinoceros to design my final project.

GIMP (2D RASTER) + INKSCAPE (2D VECTOR)

Starting the design of my lightning device.

STAGE 1

I wanted to compose a possible final project plan with the different elements that the device needs to work. Please note that until the electronic design week, I will not be able to predict exactly how it is going to work. The idea is to create a 'container' where everything is stored within a good design. I opened Inkscape and started to draw the first stage of the device: movement in the longitudinal axes.



Once I had the composition done, I exported the document to GIMP. At first, I thought there was something wrong with the program, as something like this appeared:

Later on, I realized that the image needed a background colour. This is the final result on Gimp:



Please note that the device moves in the longitudinal axes and the light source adapts to the user's needs.

STAGE 2

Once everything works (modelling design, electronic design, programming, 3d joints, etc), stage 2 is welcomed! Now, we continue with the design, adding a perpendicular axes. Now movement in the x direction is possible. Same method as before, first Inkscape and then Gimp:





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RHINO

I want to use Rhino for the outer part of the device (what I call the 'container'), in order to have a good design. Therefore, Rhino for movement, rhythms and good appearances is ideal for what I am looking for, plus is a program that I need to control more. Playing with rhythms of curves on projected surfaces is the key method for these designs.
1st try







Final render of the 1st try:



Later on I continued playing adding some structure to rhythms:







A possible final design, where 2d structural elements assemble together in a 3d space.



I still need to consider how the final design is going to be. I need to know the dimensions of how the technical part of my device in order to optimise the outer layer of the design.

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SOLID WORKS

Tutorial 1

When Neil told us about this program, I was very interested at first. It seems as a very intuitive way of building things, perfect for my lightning device. I have developed my 3d modelling skills specially in AutoCad 3D and SketchUp, so tools should not be very different. I hope the way of handling these tools get better, the program looks great!
I installed the program and started with a given tutorial from the program itself: how to design a small 3d model of a simple object. Main goal: getting used to the interface.



-'Smart Dimension'

FIRST PROBLEM

he ideal way to learn a program is in the English version: 'Options-->General-->English version menus'.

Now I can continue running with the program.

-'Extruded Boss/Base'



'Extruded Cut' + 'Fillets' + 'Shells'



-'Section View'



-Post-modification: 'Rebuild'



-'Shaded'

SECOND PROBLEM

-'Edit Material': Chrome Stainless Steel

RealView Graphics - This command does not work. I can't figure out if it an optional pack that I have not downloaded or an activation button that is disabled. Later on I will search for the answer.

TUTORIAL 2 - SOLIDWORK ASSEMBLIES

Similar method. The idea is to create the 2nd part of the object done in tutorial 1 to assemble it in a new document.

Commands used:

-'Convert Entities'

-'Offset Entities'

-'Select Appearances'



New type of document: 'Assemble'

Commands used:

-'Mate'

-'Display Pane'-->'Add Display State'

TUTORIAL 3 - DRAWINGS

Commands used:

-'Model Items'



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6. Create A Video Clip Presentation

Adobe Premier is the program I have used to create my video for my final project.



The order of appearance is as follows:
-few slices presenting who am I and from what fablab I come from
-Explaining The Idea: my workplace and how I am going to change it
-First pictures of the prototype: global overview
-Input devices
-Output Devices
-How it moves
-Me activating the network by moving it without touching it.

Next to Adobe Premiere, I have used as well Adobe Photoshop to create all the slides and improve all the pictures.



To create the video, I did not use that many commands. The most important one is the one that 'cuts' the video in two different pieces:





The rest is putting next to each other the different pictures and videos used and export it. Not really difficult.

The result:



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5. Rhinoceros + Adobe Photoshop - Creating my Model

Once I have my workspace done on Rhinoceros, I start exporting images in different styles from 3 point of views:

-shaded
-rendered
-pen
To export from Rhinoceros:



Open Printing Setup, select destination file as 'Image File' with a good quality (later on I will modify it).

Here are the different point of views with the different styles.

1st Point of View

2n Point of View

Frontal Point of View (the actual workspace)

The Prototype

Process of Creating My Render

I will be showing the whole process for the 1st point of view, as the other ones I have used the same method.

I opened Adobe Photoshop and imported the 3 different styles

I erase all the background from the pictures:







As now I only have what I need, I import each file on a new file and put one on top of the other, until they are completely aligned and reducing the layer's opacity.



As the final project table is made out of wood, I will import a wooden texture + with a mask, so the table appears to have a wooden frame.



I continue with this for the other wooden parts of the table.

Now, it is turn for the legs. Originally, they are black, so I need a black colour. Same method as before, instead of using a wooden texture, I create a new black layer + with a mask, I only consider the part of the leg that I need.



Once I have all the black leg parts that I need, I play with the layer's opacity to create the 3 dimensional space:

On top of this, I use one of the style to add shadow to the model (and reducing the layer's opacity).



The legs have a 3 dimensional sensation. I need to improve the wood's appearance.

Now, I need to make sure the lines from the pen style is noticed, but not in a overwhelming way:



I can no longer continue without a background. I do not want a typical white background, but a very light gray one:



It is important to mention this as the workspace is completely white, and I need for it to stand out.

Now, I need to create my new light with a white colour + a mask + playing around with the layer's opacity.



To finish, a person looking at the table, as if this person is thinking about what is going to draw.



After finishing the first point of view, I continued using the same method for the rest of the render.

Result:

Prototype

Although it looks very different, the idea is exactly the same. I took the 3 different styles from the Rhinoceros file, and put it one on top of the other.



Then playing around with the layer's opacity and having on top the 'Pen Style', it is done! I added some text to make sure it is understood by everyone.

Result

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Download files

Gimp Files:
Download the file: gimp_circles
Download the file: gimp_project
Inkscape File:
Download the file: ink_project_composition
Rhino Files:
Download the file: rhino_textures
Download the file: rhino_possible_project
Solid Works:
Individual Pieces:
Download the file: solidworks_upper_piece
Download the file: solidworks_lower_piece
Assembly:
Download the file: solidworks_assembly
Drawings:
Download the file: solidworks_drawing_upper_piece
Download the file: solidworks_drawing_assembly

3d Model: Rhino + Photoshop
Download Rhinoceros File: Table
Download Rhinoceros File: Prototype
Download PSD Files: Render 1, 2, 3 and Prototype**

**This last link to PSD files is linked to the FabLab Madrid Ceu's folder. As I have heavy files, my instructor decided it was best to link it to the fablab's folder (66mb).

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