FabAcademy - 2017

We reviewed some 2D and 3D tools for drawing and modelling in the local lesson. We practiced with Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, 123D Design, 123D Make, Sculptris, Rhino and OpenSCAD.

I am familiar with Inkscape for 2d and vector graphics design, Tinkercad, for 3D modelling (online software), and OpenSCAD, a script based 3D modeller.

For my final project, I will create a Braille text recorder, so, I started with the top panel of the Braille recorder.

This design must have the typical keyboard layout for Braille typing, that is, 6 buttons for character input, delete key, line wrap key and space bar. This first model is the top panel, with holes where the keys must be placed.

I started by creating a very simple drawing by pen, then digitalized it (by taking a picture).

I use GIMP and Inkscape for image processing tasks. Gimp is a rater software, used mainly for image editing and retouching. GIMP can also be used for images effects, filters, gif animations, and others. But for this assignment, Inkscape is more suitable.

Inkscape is a vector graphics software, with tools for basic shapes. In this case, I only need basic shapes to design the top panel for my project.

The picture I took of the pencil drawing was mported to Inkscape, this way, I can use the picture as a guide to add basic shapes.

Along the process, the shapes were alligned, centered or distributed according to the picture to ensure a symmetric model.

The hollow parts must be drawn first (to be recognized as such in tinkercad).

To convert this model to 3D, I simply imported the SVG file into tinkercad.

Since Tinkercad is mainly a graphically controlled tool, I decided to create the same model using OpenSCAD. Similar to the Inkscape process, I worked with squares and circles, this time with exact measures.