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

I  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.

 

 

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

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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

 

I 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

 

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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

First 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

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.

Why Design Matters More Now Than Ever Before

My coordinator just sent me a recent article from WIRED magazine, “Why Design Matters More Now Than Ever Before”.  Does it matter?  I have been saying for years, and now it seems as if everyone is starting to catch on.  DESIGN IS LIFE!!!!   ~Cornell

  In fact, there's never been a better time to be a designer. Every day, powerful new tools and technologies put new opportunities at our fingertips. The designer's toolkit is ever-expanding, and contemporary advances in manufacturing, prototyping, and production have enabled nothing less than a modern renaissance in all forms of design, from industrial to graphic. ~Scott Dadich WIRED

The article also mention the recent conference, which I should have gone to, “WIRED by Design”  I will be there next year!  Looking at the list of speakers  . . .  they represent everything I teach aside from the foods.  Very Cool!!!  I will post video footage when it . . . 

WxD: Design Is Life from Wired By Design on Vimeo.

SCI-FI Air Show

I 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! ~Cornell

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. 

The Droste effect

I have always been curious of the Droste effect but have never really investigated it until now.  It is very cool and  I think after playing with the tool, one can really get innovative in how it can be applied.   I tried it out with an image of a flower, as seen above, and it turned out really awesome!  Try it out and see what you can do and then take it to the next level showing me something I have not seen yet. 

The Droste effect is a recursive instancing where an image infinitely contains a smaller copy of itself; like the effect between two mirrors.   It is also know as "mise en abyme" in the art word.  Which can be seen in the triptych (a three panel painting) ‘Stefaneschi Triptych’ by Giotto di Bondone in 1320. The Cardinal offers the triptych of St. Peter to St. Peter with in the same painting.  

The Droste effect is more of a modern term coined from an image on he box of Droste Cocoa powder.   It also could be described as a ‘strange loop’ or a self-referencing instance, which is the cornerstone of fractal geometry.  Tools like Photoshop allow you great control of you instance an image with-in itself. 

Check out the rest of my notes here . . .

I love this one . . .