Home Depot Sells 3D Printers

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3DTeacher-Icon2_thumb_thumbOne of my students came up to me in in class today and told me that they were selling 3D printers at Home Depot.  VERY COOL!!  AND they have them in stock at the local store down the street.   As I always say . . . “3D IS THE FUTURE!!! and it is not going away.  ~Cornell

http://www.homedepot.com/p/MakerBot-Replicator-Desktop-3D-Printer-5th-Generation-MP05825/205142845

MakerBot 3D printers coming to some Home Depot locations

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/makerbot-3d-printers-coming-to-some-home-depot-locations/

If you live in New York City, Illinois or California, 3D printing may be as close as your nearest Home Depot.

MakerBot and Home Depot announced a new partnership on Monday to bring 3D printing capabilities to the masses. Several models of 3D printers will be sold in select stores and on Home Depot's Web site, and MakerBot kiosks will be available in a dozen Home Depots in nine cities to demonstrate how the technology works . . .  << MORE >>

"Unbox Yourself" with Zihua Creative

Unbox 

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3DTeacher-Icon2_thumb_thumbA while back I showed you a cool 3d printed stop motion bear walking, now check out “Unbox”.   A Chinese animation  took it much farther and created a full stop-motion short film.  ~Cornell

"Unbox Yourself" with Zihua Creative

This fully 3D printed commercial for Zihua Creative (zihua.com.cn), China’s first online learning platform focused on the creative industries, illustrates how creatives must break out of their boxes to innovate as well as how technology is driving change in the creative industries.

Zihua Creative worked with their creative agency Goodstein on the conceptualization and production of the film, which fuses traditional stop motion animation with cutting-edge 3D printing technology. Although the film is under one minute long, the team dedicated several months and 3D printed more than 600 “Boxman” figurines in order to complete the project – the first of its kind in the world.

This animated short highlights a number of the courses that will be offered on the Zihua platform, including character design, CG animation, stop motion animation, illustration, film scoring, sound design and 3D printing.

Behind the Scenes of "Unbox Yourself"

This video gives an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at what exactly went into the making of "Unbox Yourself", a 3D printed commercial for Zihua Creative (zihua.com.cn), with insight from some of the key people spearheading this project. Take a peak to learn more about character design, 3D printing, stop motion animation, sound design, and what "Unbox Yourself" is all about.

I've fallen, and I can't get up! Mairmy Express–Free!

Miarmy

3DTeacher-Icon2_thumb_thumbI  came across this short little Mairmy simulation the other day and thought it was awesome.  It was created with Mairmy a crowd simulation based Maya plugin from Basefront.  One of the cool things I found out was that they offer Mairmy Express which is a full functioning version of the plugin.  It has a some limitations, mainly the number of agents you can work with and export. I have not tried it yet, but I will as soon as I have a chance and with let you know what I think.  If any of you guys get to play with it first post your creations. ~Cornell

 

Check out this fun simulation, it is pretty funny.

 

 


Here is an example from World War Z which another software – Alice.  Alice is an in-house software used at MPC.   



 

Learning Mairmy (Here)

Here we're listing some useful steps which are able to guide you from scratch start to learn Miarmy and get through all of the contents. Usually, 2~3 weeks, you can master most of stuffs of Miarmy and put it into your projects!

1. Quick Start (1 day) Quick Start Pipeline

Quick start materials contain the main concept and workflow of Miarmy, which cover from modeling to rendering the entire pipeline.

2. Detailed Video Tutorials (2 weeks) Video Tutorials

We provided very comprehensive online tutorials and videos for your learning. After you understanding the general pipeline from step 1, you can dive into this part and learn more details from our tutorials.  There are more than 120 video tutorials online for FREE learning, and each of them contain SAMPLE files.

And also some DEMO files originated from our Demo 1~8 (Watch DEMOs)

3. Ready to Run Useful Tutorials

Autodesk Meshmixer 101

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3DTeacher-Icon2_thumb_thumbI have been playing with Autodesk’s Meshmixer lately and it is a pretty cool tool for both 3d printing prep work and it is also  just a fun  introduction tool to the 3d world.  I tried out earlier versions, but I wasn’t impressed at the time.  The current version 2.6 (Fall 2014) is worth playing with so check it out.  ~Cornell

What is Meshmixer?

From Autodesk: Meshmixer is a prototype design tool based on high-resolution dynamic triangle meshes. We are exploring the new capabilities of this surface representation for interactive design and fabrication, in the context of a practical system we release to the public.

 

Why I use Meshmixer?

IT IS FREE!  It is an awesome quality FREE application for use on both Mac and Windows.

Complex Boolean Operations.  When ever I do complex Boolean Operations in Maya, it either crashes or just doesn’t work.  For example, if I were to boolean text on a ring, Maya will just explode.  So anytime you want to boolean open up Meshmixer.

Make Solid feature. THIS IS  AWESOME!!!! If you are making parts for 3d print in Maya, you do not have to combine all the object and redo you geometry, just bring them into Meshmixer and MAKE SOLID.

Analysis Features.  This menu offers a number of powerful analysis tools.  Note, I have not really taken advantage of them yet,  and was frustrated with the support feature in the previous version.  I will explore the tools and follow up. 

  • Inspector – Cleanup features with auto repair
  • Thickness
  • Strength
  • Stability
  • Orientation
  • Overhangs
  • Slicing

Converting File Types: Meshmixer can import the following  file types(.OBJ, .STL, .PLY,& .AMF) and export in the following formats (.OBJ, .STL, .DAE,  .PLY, .AMF, & .WRL)

*It is also good at cutting models apart and hollowing models out.

Download Here: http://www.meshmixer.com/download.html

 


Make Solid Feature – THIS IS MY FAVORITE FEATURE!

In this video, see how to use the Make Solid tool to combine 2 objects into one water tight object for 3D printing.

Sorry, I Didn’t Know . . . Free Autodesk Software for Schools

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3DTeacher-Icon2_thumb_thumbFirst of all, I am sorry.  I don’t know how I missed it, but Autodesk is providing free 3 year licenses for schools.  ¿I thought it was only for the students?  I know it is only a 3 year license and then it is hard to go back to anything else, but it is still a free 3 year license to get your program off the ground.  And I am a bit biased, Maya is the only option. ~Cornell

Free Autodesk Software

Manage Software Licenses

Autodesk offers 3-year educational licenses through the Academic Resource Center. License requests are managed for one institution at a time below. To request licenses for multiple schools or institutions, add more institutions to your ARC account or click My Institutions to switch to a different institution. If you do not have administrative access to computers for installation, add a contact to manage download and installation.  << HERE >>>


The Education Master Suite 2015 educational license includes all of the software titles below:

 

3ds Max Design 2015

3D modeling software for architects, designers, and civil engineers.

Alias Design 2015

Industrial design tools for conceptual design and surface modeling.

Mudbox 2015

3D digital sculpting and texture painting software.

AutoCAD Architecture 2015

The version of AutoCAD for architects.

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2015

Software for civil engineering design, analysis, and simulation.

AutoCAD Electrical 2015

AutoCAD software to design and document electrical controls systems.

AutoCAD Map 3D 2015

Model-based mapping software providing access to CAD and GIS data.

AutoCAD Mechanical 2015

Design and drafting software for automating mechanical CAD tasks.

AutoCAD MEP 2015

Drafting/documenting tools for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing.

AutoCAD Plant 3D 2015

AutoCAD software to design, model, and document process plants.

AutoCAD Raster Design 2015

Raster image editing and raster-to-vector conversion tools.

InfraWorks 2015

3D conceptual design software to communicate design proposals.

Inventor Professional 2015

3D mechanical CAD, visualization, and documentation software.
 

Navisworks Manage 2015

Project review software for coordination, analysis, and communication.

Revit 2015

BIM tools for architectural design, MEP, and structural engineering.

Robot Structural Analysis Professional 2015

Structural analysis for large, complex structures.

Showcase 2015

Rendering software for 3D design.

Autodesk Simulation CFD 2015

Fluid flow and thermal simulation tools.

Simulation Mechanical 2015

Fast, accurate, and flexible mechanical simulation tools.

Simulation Moldflow Adviser Ultimate 2015

Plastic injection molding simulation software.

AutoCAD Utility Design 2015

Model-based electrical distribution design software.

AutoCAD 2015

CAD design, drafting, modeling, drawing, and engineering software.

Vault Basic 2015

Data management software to organize, manage, and track data.

AutoCAD Structural Detailing 2015

Structural engineering software for precise detailing and fabrication.

SCI-FI Air Show

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3DTeacher-Icon2_thumb_thumbI grew-up watching the effects created by Bill George.  He is known for his visual effects work on Star Wars: Episode VI - The Return of the Jedi (1983), Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006). He was a model maker through out the 80’s and physical models were slowly was replaced by CG work, he took the role of visual effects supervisor and art director where he continues to work today.

I just recently came across this WIRED interview about Georges’ Sci-Fi Airshow.  Check it out! ~CornellSCI-FI_AIRSHOW

The SCI-FI AIR SHOW

The SCI-FI AIR SHOW’s purpose is to preserve and promote the rich and varied history of Sci-Fi/fantasy vehicles. Through display and education we seek to celebrate the classic design and beauty of these ships and the rich imaginations that created them. When the cameras stopped rolling, many of these proud old ships were lost and forgotten. Please join us in working to keep these rare and beautiful birds soaring!

Here is Bill Georges WIRED interview for the Sci-Fi Airshow. 

What are Your Students Working on this Summer? Check out Emka’s Work (15 Years old)

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Inspire your students . . .  Check out Emka Klučovska’s latest work.  She is a 15 year old artist from Slovakia and is self taught.  Some say she is a prodigy, I don’t think that term really applies here.  Well it all depends on how you define prodigy, I guess.  Emka works really hard and she is very talented!  She has be drawing since she was 2 years old, that is over 13 years.  How many hours a day do you draw?  How bad do you want it?   She wants it and all those years sketching  paid off.   I talk with my students all the time and tell them that being able to draw is not something you are born with; it is a skill AND YOU CAN LEARN IT!   So if you want it, get to work! ~Cornell

 

https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/blog/artist-spotlight-drawing-prodigy-emka-klucovska#

 

And now she is becoming a digital sculptor working with zBrush . . .  it will be great to see where her hard work takes her . . .

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""5.80 Metros" . . . Very Cool!!!

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"5.80 Metros" is an animated short film by Nicolas Deveaux, produced by Cube Creative et Orange. An imaginative video in which a team of giraffes practice professional dive from platforms high, demonstrating the grace of these animals.  http://www.cube-creative.fr/

Honda : Super Ultra Daydreams & 3D Printing

Honda_Super_Ultra_Daydreams

3DTeacher-Icon2Check out Honda: Super Ultra Daydreams, it is a short video which explores the history of their concept designs from the 90’s to present as well as a website that allows you interactively navigate the 3d designs online.  Honda also made these designs available in a downloadable 3d format, where you can either print them out on your 3D printer or ‘reimagine’ your own design.  It is a cool idea and it is interesting to see their concepts over the years.   Check out the site and try printing few out, I plan on printing the set for a classroom demonstration.  ~Cornell   

“If your basic idea is strong, developing a new technology isn’t that hard. Technology is simply the end product. The idea from which it springs is what really matters.” ~Soichiro  Honda

FROM HONDA: At Honda, product development is driven from the bottom up, instead of from the top down. Why? Because we believe great inventions can spring from seemingly crazy ideas. That's why we actively encourage our engineers to come up with the most radically innovative Concept Cars they can imagine.

Over the years, we've showcased many of these vehicles at motor shows around the world. Now, to share the fun with everyone, we're making 3D design data for some of them available on the web. So you can download the designs, reimagine them according to your own personal vision, and share them with the world. Who knows? You may discover that you have what it takes to become the go-to car designer or engineer of tomorrow!

Ryan Trowbridge - 3D Math for Artists

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Autodesk University puts on some great workshops!  As we are always looking for cross-curricular projects, watch “3D Math for Artists” by Ryan Trowbridge, it may give you a few ideas.  It also my be a way to push your higher end students.  It also will help them get a basic understanding on programming with Maya.   ~Cornell 

http://area.autodesk.com/masterclasses/masterclass/class3_q1_2012

Ryan Trowbridge - 3D Math for Artists
The focus of this class is to teach artists what vectors are, how to manipulate them, and utilize 3d math within their python scripts. This class will cover the following:

- how simple it is to add, subtract and use multiplication to manipulate vectors
- describe how vectors are the basis for a matrix and how a matrix is less complex than it first appears.
- How Python can access the Maya API math classes MVector and MMatrix
- how these included classes make doing matrix multiplication easier and how it closely relates to doing vector math.

Hopefully with a handful of knowledge building blocks and several example Maya files, after taking this Master Class, artists will find it easier to dig into 3D Math.

3D Printing: The Hype vs. the Reality

Autodesks-Spark-3D-printer

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Autodesk jumps into the 3D Printing industry . . . It is about time!  What does it mean?   Autodesk just introduced a new open source 3D printing platform, Spark.  They want to make it easier  for the end user to design and then print without all the in-between hassles.  Since historically they are a 3d software development company, they want to streamline the 3d printing processing by offering an open source platform with hope to push 3d printing to the next level.  The Spark platform will be open and freely licensable including their 3d printer design which will be made publicly available to allow for further development and experimentation.  I think it is a super smart move on their part because with the increased ease of 3d printing, there will be an increased demand for new designs, designers and more demand for their software.  Either way, Very Cool Autodesk!   ~Cornell

*Here is an recent Bloomberg TV interview with Autodesk CEO Carl Bass, 3D Printing: The Hype vs. the Reality.