Part 1: Plywood Object
Finish and assemble your plywood object. This project will be the subject of the final critique, next week on May 15.
Part 2A: Surface Driven Toolpaths
Follow along with the tutorial to create toolpaths for a simple paneled surface. You can download the Rhino file used in the demonstration below:
https://3d2017.christopherspecce.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/PlusPanel.zip
Part 2B: 2 Sided Surface Driven Toolpaths
Follow along with the demonstration below to create a “Flip Mill” series of toolpaths for your spoon.
Make two screenshots of the completed “verify” for both Machine Groups from MasterCAM: one showing the top, one showing the bottom. Create a new folder called “CAM” in your folder for “Spoon” project on the shared google drive. Place these two screenshots and your MasterCAM file in this new sub-folder. Name your files so we can easily identify you as the author and know which project this is for.
f Chris
Part 1. MasterCAM
If you don’t have your MasterCAM file done yet, we might not be able to get your part cut on time. Get this file done!!
Part 2: Spoon Modeling
Follow along with the video tutorial below and build the spoon shown.
Using the modeling strategy demonstrated in this video, build a new spoon of your own creation. Because you are to use the same strategy as was demonstrated, there is a limit to how different your design can be – proportions and dimensions can change, the cross sections can vary, etc, but you should not need to develop new techniques to build your design. The purpose of this exercise is to gain experience building a complex object like this, but with guidance to ensure the modeling strategy is sound.
Work in layers to organize your model, saving curves, and other construction geometry in a logical, organized fashion. Create a rendering with Keyshot of your model showing several instances of your design arranged into a composition. You should arrange the numerous instances of your spoon in Rhino, then bring it into Keyshot for rendering.
Upload your model and rendering to the shared google folder in the “Spoon” folder. Create a new folder for yourself in this shared folder. Name your files so that it is evident to us who you are and what project this is.
f Chris
Build a model of the metal spoon that has been distributed in class. Orthographic top and side view images of the spoon are provided for your convenience below.
Part 1: MasterCAM
Make any necessary modifications to your Rhino file as needed to facilitate the completion and perfection of your MasterCAM file for the Plywood Object Project. You final MasterCAM file should go in folder called “Final” within your personal folder for the Plywood Object Project. Sign up for a time to cut your project on the CNC machine. This would also be a good time to consider finishing options.
Part 2: Make Up Work
If you are missing any work, this is a good week to make sure you are all caught up. Make sure your work is following the assignment submission criteria and includes all of the deliverables.
f Chris
Build the object shown below. The Rhino file available here has curves you can use as a reference to build with / from.
https://3d2017.christopherspecce.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Y-Branch-Challenge2017.zip
f Chris
Model Refinements and MasterCAM
1. Make any necessary revisions or refinements to your model so the design is completely finalized.
2. Optimize your cut pattern, contours, and joinery for production on the CNC router with a 15/32″ diameter cutting tool.
3. Create a MasterCAM for your project. Some things to keep in mind:
Use this Rhino file as a template as a reference for how your model should be situated relative to zero and the X,Y axes.
Create a new folder called Phase 3 in your folder in the “Plywood Object” folder on the shared google drive. Put your final Rhino file and your MasterCAM file in this folder. If your files (especially MasterCAM) are not uploaded by the next class (April 24, 2017), we can not guarantee your project will be cut on time. Make sure your Rhino file uses layers to organize all of the various elements and iterations in your file. This will be taken into consideration for grading purposes.
f Chris
Working from the provided Rhino file, build the form shown below (do not use the patch tool!)
Orthographic Views:
f Chris
Revise and refine your Plywood Furniture Object designs as was discussed during the reviews in class. This phase of this project is to finalize the design, resolving issues related to form, dimensions, structure and joinery. For some of you, this means more incremental improvements, others will require more drastic reworking of your design. Regardless, after this phase of the project, we will be working with MasterCAM to create toolpaths for the CNC machine. Students should finalize their design so that the MasterCAM phase will be focused on optimizing for machining (as was discussed in class) and not on design.
For next week, you will be required to create another model of your design. We have discussed the requirements based on student feedback and have decided that models can be 1:2 scale models or full scale, but the material thickness should be scaled appropriately. If you decide to make a 1:1 model, you should use 1/2″ foam core.
If your design does not require major revisions, you are encouraged to begin developing strategies for how you will deal with the rounded terminals associated with cutting on the router. As was shown in class, creating “I” shaped mortises and tenons with cleared out corners is an advisable way to deal with this. If your design is fairly well resolved, you can try to include these features in your next model.
In your folder within the plywood object folder in the class Google Drive, create a sub-folder for last week’s assignment called “Phase 1”. Create a second sub-folder called “Phase 2”. Create the following files and put them in this folder for this week:
f Chris
Part 1: Chair Exercise
Finish the chair exercise that was started in class. Be sure to post a rendering to the class folder (both in your personal folder and the group folder).
Part 2: Plywood Furniture
Working from the Plywood Furniture project brief, make a 1:2 scale model of your design. Use a material that is properly scaled (1/4″ thick) for the production of your model. You are welcome to use the laser cutter for this project, but be aware that only certain materials can be cut with this machine.
Create a folder in the shared google drive with your name and place in that folder:
f Chris
Create several chair models, each one using the following commands as the primary (if not exclusive) method for creating the form:
Put each model on a layer in the same Rhino file. Using Keyshot, create a rendering of the 5 chairs in one image. Post this image to the shared google drive. Name this file: FirstnameLastname_6Chairs.jpg
f Chris
Using the Rhino file provided below as a starting point, build the object shown below, paying attention to the transition between surfaces.
https://3d2017.christopherspecce.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/TorquedRing.zip
f Chris
Part 1: Last chance for revisions
After spring break, the open period for revisions to any of the projects thus far will close – the glasses, chair study, and paper model project. Any revisions and improvements you make will be taken into consideration for grading purposes. If you do make revisions, make additions to your documents or folders, don’t erase the originals. The revisions should go in your personal folder as well as the shared assignment folders in google drive.
Part 2: Cat Face Tutorial
Follow along with the Cat Face Tutorial to create your own MasterCAM file.
Part 3: Name Plate – due Monday 4/3 at 9am!
Create a name plate for your self, to be executed in 1/2″ thick MDF on the CNC router. We will supply the material and will cut all of the names in one go. Some requirements:
You will be required to submit a MasterCAM file and a Rhino file for this project. Use the Rhino file below as a template to fit your Name Plate within. Use the layers included in this file as follows:
Name your Rhino and MasterCAM Files with the following convention: Firstname_Lastname_NamePlate
Place these files in your personal folder and the shared folder called “Name Plate”
Get the Template Here:
https://3d2017.christopherspecce.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/NamePlateTemplate.zip
The template includes sample curves for the name and outer profile. Delete these curves – don’t include them in the file you post the google drive.
f Chris
Part 1: Paper Model Round 2 (final)
Revise your Rhino model as needed and create a final paper model for this project. This model should be a well crafted, carefully proportioned likeness of your chosen object, demonstrating thoughtful decisions about what to include as part of the form, what to represent with graphics, and how to abstract compound curving surfaces into simple, developable surfaces. For now, focus on creating the model, but over spring break we will ask you to create another google doc with similar content to last week, so be sure that you are working in an organized fashion in Rhino as we will review the files.
Part 2: Install MasterCAM 2017
You will get an email with instructions for how to download and install MasterCAM 2017. This software will only work on Windows.
Part3: Bring Protective Eyewear to Class
There is a chance we will have a hands-on demo with the CNC router. Students will need protective eyewear to participate.
f Chris
due March 13
Part 1. Chair Study Drawing
Working from the models of the bentwood chairs that were built in the previous assignment, create a drawing. As has been stated in the project brief, this drawing must show at least one of the chairs in use, with the linework for the chair executed on the Klic-N-Kut Plotter. The aspects of the drawing that show use should be executed by hand. Your drawing must make use of the “make2d” command, and the chair or chairs must be a “primary” subject matter, but there is a plenty of freedom to approach this assignment in a variety of ways so each student can create a work that has relevance and value to their personal interests.
As we’ve discussed, the plotter can accept a variety of media and drawing tools, but paper that is too thick (heavy watercolor paper) or too thin (fine tracing paper) may be more difficult to work with as may also be the case with drawing tools that are especially sharp or wet. The drawing should be composed and laid out within Rhino, with all of the linework that will be plotted included. Keep in mind that the plotter can only process “vector” curves – pixel or raster images can not be processed by the plotter. Be sure to refer to the separate post with instructions for how to use the plotter.
Part 2. Paper Model Round 1
Working from the Paper Model project Brief:
In the class google drive folder, put the following content into a google doc:
name this file: FirstName_Lastname_PaperModel. Make sure this file is in the shared paper model folder as well as your personal folder.
Part 3. Install Windows
Make sure Windows is installed and working on your computer. Please get in touch if you are having problems or have questions about this
Part 4. Install MasterCAM Home Learning Edition
We will update this post with instructions for how to access and download this software, but this software is only available for Windows.
Part 5. More Revisions
You are welcome and encouraged to continue / begin revising your work for the previous assignments. This means improving the design and rendering of your glasses based on the feedback from the comments and the improving the model and renderings of the chairs. You are also encouraged to continue the discussion in the comments of the glasses assignments.
f Chris
Download the PDF file below which will cover the steps to build the mustard bottle shown below. If you get done with this early, see if you can use the images below to use as textures to create a realistic rendering of this object.
https://3d2017.christopherspecce.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/MustardBottleTutorial.pdf
f Chris
Build a model of a sharpened wood “golf” pencil. Sample pencils will be distributed for inspection and measurement. First and foremost this exercise is about form, but proportions and dimensions are important too. Don’t worry about materials you can build this as if it was all one single material / piece.
f Chris
1. Comment on Someone else’s project
A. Due March 3
In response to their work on the drinking glasses part of Assignment 1, write a very brief statement commenting on the work of the classmate whose last name follows your alphabetically (the last person in this order should comment on the first person). Describe at least one positive and one negative aspect of their design, but also make specific suggestions for how their rendering can be improved. This comment is required, you are also welcome and encouraged to comment on anyone’s work. Use Google Doc’s commenting feature to do this.
2. Improve Your Post for Assignment 1
Due March 6
If your post from the first assignment had any problems, or if suggestions were made that could improve your design or rendering, you have the chance to go back and make improvements. Technically this is not required, but the improved submission will be considered for grading purposes, should you choose to revise. If you choose to improve your work, modify your document, adding the new content so we can see the improvements in relation to the original content. Don’t delete the original work.
3. Chair Study: Models and Rendering.
Due March 6
Working from the brief for the Chair Study project, you should create the following content:
Rhino File
Rendering
Don’t worry about the drawing aspect of this project – that will come next week.
Put your rendering in your personal google drive folder and the “chair rendering folder”. Name this file “Firstname_Lastname_Chair”.
4. Install Windows
Instructions for obtaining Windows and Parallels will be covered in a separate post, but you should download and install the virtualization software (parallels) and Windows.
5. Paper Model Selections
Select and bring in several objects for consideration to use in the next project, Paper Model.
f Chris
Using this Rhino File, assemble the Lego figure in the poses indicated this document.
Keep the original model, and make a new layer (or set of layers) for each pose.
f Chris
Fit a control point curve in the tubes included in this model. Use the exact number of points indicated by the layer name.
f Chris
Use the image below to trace the figures shown in red. Each figure indicates the drawing tool you should use and two of them have specific instructions about the number of points your drawing should have.
f Chris
Part 1: Software
Purchase and install Rhino and Keyshot. Purchasing this software is not optional.
Part 2: Tutorials
Complete the “Pull Toy” and “Flashlight” tutorials from the Rhino 5 user’s guide.
Part 3: Glasses
Working from the brief for Project 1: Glasses, create the following content:
1. Description
Write a brief text description of your design proposal. Your description must include the following content:
2. Development Sketches
Sketching is versatile tool for a designer, and is particularly helpful to resolve forms and solve modeling challenges when working with 3D CAD. Use sketching to develop the initial concept and form of your glasses’ design. Sketch on 8.5” x 11” sheets of paper. Scan or take legible photographs of the sketch(es) that guided your modeling. We recommend using Photoshop to clean up this image. Bring your sketches to class next week.
3. Rhino File
Your Rhino file must satisfy the following criteria:
Put this file in your personal folder on the Google Drive. Name this file Lastname_Glasses.3dm
4. Rendering
Include 2 Renderings of your glasses:
Your renderings must satisfy the following criteria:
5. Screenshot
Include a screenshot of your revolve curves with the control points turned on. Your screenshot must satisfy the following criteria:
6. Google Doc
Create a google doc that includes all of the content listed above, in the order indicated below:
Save this document in your personal folder on the Google Drive, and copy it to the glasses assignment folder. To do this use the ‘move to’ option when right clicking on the file, navigate to the Glasses Assignment folder and hold down the option/ctrl key to enable the ‘add here” function. This is how many assignments will be collected. Name this file Lastname_Glasses.
f Chris
Download this ZIP file.
Paper versions of some handouts will be distributed for your convenience.
1. Transforming Exercise
a. Follow the directions in the PDF called “TransformExercise”. Work in the Rhino file named “TransformExercises”, it contains all of the geometry you will need, with each problem on separate layers. Place your work on the corresponding layer as you go, as necessary.
2. Drawing Exercise
a. Trace the 3 objects shown in the Rhino file named “TracingExercise” using the polyline and control point curve tools.
b. Recreate the geometry indicated in the PDF called “PrecisionDrawing+RevolveExercise”.
3. Modeling Exercise
a. Recreate the revolved solid shown in problem 2b.
f Chris
Here Ye, Here Ye
21 posts
All of the assignments can be found here
February 20, 2017 |
Assignment 1Chris |
|
February 27, 2017 |
Assignment 2Chris |
|
March 6, 2017 |
Assignment 3Chris |
|
March 18, 2017 |
Assignment 4Chris |
|
March 20, 2017 |
Assignment 5Chris |
|
April 3, 2017 |
Assignment 6Chris |
|
April 10, 2017 |
Assignment 7Chris |
|
April 17, 2017 |
Assignment 8Chris |
|
April 25, 2017 |
Assignment 9Chris |
|
May 1, 2017 |
Assignment 10Chris |
|
May 8, 2017 |
Assignment 11 (updated)Chris |
11 posts
all of the challenges can be found here
February 20, 2017 |
Week 1 ExercisesChris |
|
February 27, 2017 |
Week 2 Challenge Part 1: TracingChris |
|
February 27, 2017 |
Week 2 Challenge Part 2: Drawing in 3DChris |
|
February 27, 2017 |
Week 2 Challenge Part 3: Lego FigureChris |
|
March 6, 2017 |
Week 3 Challenge 1: PencilChris |
|
March 6, 2017 |
Week 3 Exercise: Mustard Bottle TutorialChris |
|
March 13, 2017 |
Week 4 Challenge: Toy BoatChris |
|
April 3, 2017 |
Week 6 Challenge: Torqued RingChris |
|
April 3, 2017 |
Week 6 Exercise: Chair ModelingChris |
|
April 17, 2017 |
Week 8 Challenge: XChris |
|
April 24, 2017 |
Week 9 Challenge: Y BranchChris |
|
May 1, 2017 |
Week 10 Challenge: Metal SpoonCutter Hutton |
12 posts
tutorials, demonstrations, useful reference material, and how-to’s
31 posts
tips, tricks, and configuration for the various tools we’ll use
February 20, 2017 |
Making Mac Rhino Look More Like Windows RhinoChris |
|
February 20, 2017 |
Where to get Rhino and KeyshotChris |
|
February 20, 2017 |
Apple Magic Mouse + RhinoChris |
|
February 27, 2017 |
Where to find and buy Parallels, WindowsCutter Hutton |
|
March 3, 2017 |
Commenting in Google DocsChris |
|
March 5, 2017 |
Use the Middle Mouse Button for Increased Productivity!!!!!Chris |
|
March 21, 2017 |
Updated Tool Library with Plywood BitCutter Hutton |
|
March 29, 2017 |
Adjusting the resolution of Parallels for Retina DisplaysCutter Hutton |
|
April 4, 2017 |
Mastercam Display issues in ParallelsCutter Hutton |
|
May 14, 2017 |
Default Settings in MasterCAM (updated)Chris |
|
May 14, 2017 |
Watch Videos Faster (or slower)Chris |
11 posts
I’ve created a PDF that has recommended settings for the contour, drill, and pocket toolpaths. You will see that things are different for the Drill operation. You should choose the “circle mill” option for the toolpath type for the drill operation. This option works better than the “peck drill” operation we used previously. You should also keep in mind that some settings are variable, such as depth, and might not necessarily need the settings indicated in the document. See the PDF below for details.
f Chris
You can download the Rhino and MasterCAM files of the small step stool we have looked at in class. They are both contained in the zip folder below
https://3d2017.christopherspecce.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/StepStoolExample.zip
f Chris
Hannah asked today: “Is there a keystroke to switch between viewports?”
Yes, there is:
You can also toggle maximizing the active viewport by pressing CTRL (windows) or Command (Mac) + M
f Chris
This page has a perhaps more entertaining way to discuss surface continuity, but it also covers higher orders of continuity – G3 and G4.
https://www.augi.com/articles/detail/an-introduction-to-surface-continuity
f Chris
If you’re curious to learn more about NURBS, I’m sharing a couple of links that go more in depth on how this geometry works.
This article links to a somewhat comprehensive definition of NURBS
http://www.rhino3d.com/nurbs
This article links to two other that are more deep in their description, with equations and formulas that are quite complex:
http://www.mactech.com/articles/develop/issue_25/schneider.html
http://web.cs.wpi.edu/~matt/courses/cs563/talks/nurbs.html
The Wikipedia page for NURBS is also a useful reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-uniform_rational_B-spline
f Chris
Here is some of the content that was introduced in the CNC lab, but in slide form.
f Chris
Follow along to the Cat Face Tutorial here:
https://risdbankcnc.squarespace.com/introduction/
f Chris
One tool we want to ensure everyone knows about is the SrfSeam command which could be very important on the paper model project.. This tool allows you to move the seam of a surface, for instance where the wrapped surface of a cylinder meets. This command won’t work on polysurfaces so you will have to explode or extract the surface you’d like to adjust. Attached are a few images of using the command to move the seam of a cylinder away from where another cylinder is bisecting it. Moving the seam will affect how the Unroll developable surface creates the pattern.
Does your rendering look like this:
This is happening because there are two surfaces occupying the same space. One that is using a glass material, the other is using the dark liquid material. The software tries to display both of them, but an interference pattern results. You will need to select the object with the glass material and turn it off. you can do this in Rhino, but if you are already in Keyshot, you can do it there as well. There are two ways to do this:
This page shows how to use the scene tree to select an object and turn it off
https://www.keyshot.com/manual/keyshot6/?section=scene-tree
But you can also delete it. From the scene tree, select the object you want to delete and then right click and select delete from the list of options (shown here):
https://www.keyshot.com/manual/keyshot6/?section=duplicating-models
In Rhino, you can also run the command SelDupAll (Edit>Select>Duplicate Objects) to find any duplicates that might be in your model.
This link provides an illustrated explanation. It’s geared towards SolidWorks users, but the concept is the same.
f Chris
This video provides an in depth review of the “Unroll” command
You can download the model used in this video here:
https://3d2017.christopherspecce.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/UnrollVideoDemoModel.zip
f Chris
If you’re looking for a review of the Make2D command that was covered in class, here’s a video that provides a quick refresher. FYI – this video isn’t mine – it’s from Polyplane.com
f Chris
In an email Hannah asked:
I have drawn and extruded it different ways a billion times but it wont create a solid extrusion like it will for the circular seats. The two extrusions always have space between them even though solid is checked off in the extrusion menu. I’ve tried to join the two extrusions and make a surface to go between them, and make surfaces before extruding, but nothing has worked. Do you have any idea of what isn’t working?
f Chris
We didn’t look at this in class, but the “History” functionality in Rhino could be very useful as you are work on building the three bentwood chairs. This functionality will link input and output geometry. In other words, it can connect a curve (input geometry) with a pipe (output geometry) so that if the input curve is manipulated, the resulting output surface will follow this change.
More information here:
http://docs.mcneel.com/rhino/5/help/en-us/commands/history.htm
f Chris
Here are two images that can be used to simulate a caned surface as was demonstrated in class.
A basic review of how to do this:
And here is a wood texture you can use
f Chris
By now I am hopeful that you all understand the basics of navigating the view of your model with the various functions we discussed in class.
Zoom (remember, zooming focuses on the cursor position)
Pan
Rotate (aka tumble, orbit)
Sometimes when you are viewing your model, you can get lost. This can happen if you zoom in or out to far or your rotate away from your object. When this happens, you can Zoom the “Extents” of your workspace. This means that the “camera” will reposition to display all of the objects contained in your workspace. To do this you can:
Another thing that sometimes happen is you either can’t zoom in, or out any further than you are, or when you rotate the view, your object doesn’t stay centered in the viewport. This happens when the “focus” of the “camera” is not where you want it to be. A useful command to remedy this is Zoom Target. This allows you to select a point to recenter the focus of the camera. To do this you can:
Once the command is running you will be prompted to select a new target. Click where you want your target to be placed, then you can draw a rectangle to establish the extents of the view.
f Chris
If you need a refresher, here is a review of the Rhino interface.
And here is a review of the various kinds of geometry you can work with in Rhino.
f Chris
The drinking glass assignment requires that you take a screen shot of your revolve curves. Here’s how to do this:
Windows and mac:
Make sure the viewport you want to capture is active, then run the command – ViewCaptureToFile.
Also FYI:
the Mac OS has an easy to use screen capture tool built in. Press Shift+Command+4 and a cursor will appear that allows you drag an area to capture as a screen shot. You should hear a shutter sound, this means that the image is saved to your desktop.
Windows has a built in app called “Snipping Tool” that can be used for screen shots.
f Chris
If you’ve seen Part 1 of the Drinking Glasses Demo videos, then you’ve gotten a taste of what the PictureFrame command can do. This is a great tool and I use it all of the time if I need to bring in an image to use as an underlay for tracing, modeling, reverse engineering, etc, etc. Here is a more in-depth look at how it works.
f Chris
Part 3: This Video demonstrates how to do a basic rendering with Keyshot, including how to set up the kinds of materials you may want to use for this project.
f Chris
Part 2: How to measure the volume of your glass.
Commands used in this video:
f Chris
Part 1: A review of the drawing and modeling techniques required to complete the drinking glass assignment.
Commands used in this video:
f Chris
An introduction to several useful editing commands in Rhino.
The commands covered in this video are:
Trim
Split
Join
Explode
Cap
Fillet (with radius set to a value of 0)
f Chris
Since many of you enjoyed reading my note to James about the brush I damaged, here’s what the rest of it looked like:
Rhode Island School of Design
Department of Furniture Design
semester: Spring 2017
FURN-2511, Sections 01 & 02 (3 credits)
2nd Floor of Prov-Wash Building, Room 202 and 237B
Mondays, 1:10pm - 6:10pm
instructors: Christopher Specce, Cutter Hutton
view the syllabus
Drawing for Furniture: 3D is a class in the Department of Furniture Design at the Rhode Island School of Design