Passionate about 3D printing – but can’t do CAD?

Passionate about 3D printing – but can’t do CAD? Here is a link to a SlideShare presentation (http://www.slideshare.net/AnnMarieShillito/) rich in images and information about 3D printing, how to get models and how designer makers and artists are using 3D technologies. The blog is also about a visit to Creative Spark in Dundalk in Ireland to give a 1 day workshop/class on 3D modelling for 3D printing for designers and artists and a drop-in hands-on demo session, a visit to Mcor Technologies to see their impressive colour 3D printers, and a visit to the Fablab in Limerick.

Passionate about 3D printing – but can’t do CAD?

Intro to presentation given at 3DPrintShow London Sept 2014.

This is the title of the Presentation I gave at the 3DPrintShow 2014 in London in September about other ways that designers are accessing 3D printing! http://www.slideshare.net/AnnMarieShillito/.

I gave the presentation again (more slides added) on 31st October at a drop-in demo session at Creative Spark in Dundalk, Ireland. Creative Spark is a great resourse centre with space for small businesses to rent, with workshops, courses and classes for both learning, making and business development – the reason we were there. The previous day we had given a 1 day course on 3D modelling for 3D printing.

To 3D print you have to have the right sort of 3D digital model. This can be created by you by designing in a CAD (computer aided design) package, from scanning something 3D, or designed by someone else. The best way to understand the constraints and potential of 3D printing is to get down to designing in 3D. In our classes and courses we use our Anarkik 3D Design 3D modelling software as it is quick and easy to start working directly in 3D as the sense of touch from the haptic ‘3D mouse’ and naural movement in 3D make it more intuitive and immersive – and fun to learn and use.

Demo of haptic 3D digital modelling at Creative Spark in Dundalk, Ireland, Elizabeth Armour going through Anarkik 3D Design’s features, including virtual 3D touch!

The class at Creative Spark, Dundalk getting down to serious 3D modelling using haptic Anarkik3D Design package to create forms capable of being 3D printing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In CreativeSpark for the 1 day workshop we set up our 10 laptops each with a haptic device. We think it is pretty necessary that everyone on the course has their own set up as everyone has a different approach to the way they work digitally. With Elizabeth Armour assisting me with the teaching and demos we can accommodate this method of teaching. We also had our Ultimaker2 3D printer with us to demo the concept and get some objects printed.

Adam’s design part way through being printed on the Ultimaker 2 3D printer.

Adam’s design created on Anarkik 3D Design, haptic 3D modelling software.

While we were in this part of Ireland we arranged a visit to Mcor Technologies. They manufacture 3D printers that use sheets of paper for the 3D printing process and their IRIS 3D printer prints in full colour by printing the colours required on each sheet on the margins of each x,y profile. It was great to have the opportunity to talk to their technical staff about the best approach to designing for their unique 3D printing process to secure a beautiful full colour 3D model printed in paper.

The following week when I was in Limerick we dropped in to the Fablab there to say hello to them. We arranged for the following day to give a few of those present a demo of our 3D modelling software. We also saw the amazing project they have been working on to 3D print a model of the buildings in the centre of Limerick!

Hurry & hurray: great offer on Anarkik 3D Design package software – ends 30 Sept 2014

Anarkik 3D Design 3D modelling software, great for creating for 3D printing.

Anarkik 3D Design: Software developments & an offer to new customers:

Version 2.2 is due for release very soon: sole aim being Windows 7 / 8 support (plus one or two useful enhancements). For a new user this is at the current price of £300 (+VAT).

Version 3 will enhance the Anarkik 3D Design experience that we already give:

• faster cleaner object manipulation (especially for Boolean, replacing the current archetype)
• international interface support (the first being the UI in Mandarin)
• licensing: switched to Falcon & not to specific computer, making it easier to upgrade hardware and to move the haptic device(s) to use with other computers/laptops
• portable codebase: Mac OS and Linux can receive Cloud9 too
• other on-going work: major developments for greater range of options for the longer term.

For new users V3 will be priced at £399 (+VAT) and released late 2014/early 2015.

Our Offer: to celebrate being a 3DPrintShow 2014 Awards finalist:

New users pay £359 (+VAT) before 30 September 2014 and receive

• V 2.1 now or V2.2 shortly (at no extra cost)
• then get V3 on release at no further cost, making a saving of £40 (+VAT) on the planned price. Please be aware that this excludes the Falcon haptic device which is purchased separately.

To take up this offer please contact us direct at info@anarkik3d.co.uk, subject line ‘count me in’ so we can record your license codes and on V3’s release we send you a credit voucher for £399 to download it.

For our existing users:

V 2.2 will be free for those users who want to switch and use it on Win7/Win8. V 3 will come with a generous special upgrade price offer so please contact us so we can quickly contact you.

https://twitter.com/Anarkik3D/status/508656907121213440

Project: “3D Consequences”

3D Consequences showcase

Update 6th April 2014: Ann Marie Shillito attended both openings of the ‘Wear IT’ exhibition at StudioFusion Gallery, London,which goes on until 7th June, ‘Wear IT’ is an exhibition of 3D printed jewellery and Anarkik3D‘s ‘3D Consequences’ collaborative project. The results of the 3D modelling by 4 Scottish connected designer makers have been 3D printed in either polyamide (sponsored by Sculpteo) or paper (sponsored by ITEC-3D/Mcor) and all is on display. The jewellers include Farah Bandookwala, Carrie Dickens, Lynne MacLachlan and Elizabeth Armour. The 4 in ‘3D Consequences’ are Farah, Elizabeth, Lucy Robertson and me! StudioFusion appropriately also stock my book ‘Digital Crafts’ and I was signing copies at the opening.

Elizabeth Armour: 3D printed brooch

Farah Bandookwala: new 3D printed work

Carrie Dickens: large red neckpiece

 

 

StudioFusion Gallery showcase of 3D printed jewellery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Update March 2014: The ‘Wear IT’ exhibition at StudioFusion Gallery in London’s OXO

Tower, 3rd April to 7th June, is themed on 3D printed jewellery and has a special section for our ‘3D Consequences’ project to show the 3D printed objects that resulted from the project. The models were designed by Farah Bandookwala, Elizabeth Armour, Lucy Robertson and by me, Ann Marie Shillito, CEO of Anarkik3D. Sculpteo sponsored 3D printing 8 objects in polyamide, ITEC-3D 3D printed 5 in using Mcor’s Matrix machine. Anarkik3D sponsored the printing of a brooch by Elizabeth and 3 rings by me.

Invitation to the exhibition opening in London

3D printed rings by Ann Marie Shillito for 3D Consequences Project,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEC3D sponsored a group which is 3D printed in paper on Mcor’s Matrix machine. As I want to understand the process and the constraints imposed by this method of 3D printing I requested that the ‘block’ of 3D printed paper be sent intact so that I could extract the objects. This was quite a challenging task and certainly being a jeweller and having tools such as fine pointed tweezers is an advantage when removing the layers of ‘waste’ paper to reveal the objects within. Although this was very time consuming (and I was being ultra careful) it was such a satisfying and immersive job. For an intricate object it is a long winded process and the actual time it can take to extract the model must make the cost per item high.

Block of 3D printed paper

 

Lucy’s model 3D printed in paper and partly extracted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will pull a powerpoint presentation together to show the process of extraction and get it up on SlideShare.

 

Eight of the twelve models 3D printed by Sculpteo

Update 16th October 2013: 8 3D printed models arrived from Sculpteo and the results are great. These were on display at the 3DprintShow 7-9th November in London on our stand with our haptic 3D modelling system, Anarkik 3D Design, that Farah, Elizabeth, Lucy and I used to create the digital models which we had swopped around in 3 iterations to produce our 12 objects. Elizabeth and Lucy were on our stand helping to demo our system as haptics (virtual touch) just has to be tried to grasp its significance as a better way of modelling in 3D!

 

Update September 2013: All the 12 models are now completed and checked for 3D printability. I decided to try out Sculpteo’s interface as I had met and spoken to Nicolas Mathian at their stand at the TCT 2013 trade show in Birmingham. I am very impressed.

I have also made contact with ITEC in Bristol who have Mcor‘s 3D printer as we would like one or 2 of Lucy’s pieces 3D printed in paper so that she can experiment using her thermochromic paints and dyes on them.

Here are the 12 models which are the final selection we will look to get 3D printed:

Update 29th August 2013:  One month since 3D Consequences started and we now have just one final model to be done to complete this stage of the project. There is a case study to be finalised which is on Lucy Robertson’s progress. Lucy was pretty new to both 3D modelling and 3D printing, knowing enough about both to apply to come on the project. A graphic presentation to show the linear development of each model stream is being done too as this will more clearly show the changes made to the original at each stage. Here are some more images of the models designed using Anarkik 3D Design haptic software:

Update 14th August 2013: With Lucy off to India for a 4 week residency, and Elizabeth Armour heading for a residency in Finland we concertina-ed the project into 3 stages, with the first round completed on 6th August and 3 models for the 2nd round completed a few days ago with 1 more to come. Lucy completing her 3rd and final model today before she heads to India. Here is a snapshot of the models and you can see the full range here on Pinterest.

 

29th July: Lucy Robertson, a textile designer recently graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee has been selected as the 4th person to this project. The reasons she was selected is her obvious enthusiasm for a challenge and for learning 3D modelling for 3D printing. Being in a different discipline to Farah Bandookwala and Elizabeth Armour (both trained as jewellers but work in other areas too) will add another focus and direction, as well as some challenges which she will I hope relish and enjoy tackling! A major requirement is being able to access our Anarkik 3D Design package and Lucy will be coming into our office here in Edinburgh to work where she can also get the support and information to be thoroughly involved and overall participating in making this a very exciting venture for all of us.

Update 12th July: Deadline for submissions is 21st July 2013. If you would like to apply to be the 4th designer maker, please email thinks@anarkik3d.co.uk, subject line: ‘3D Consequences’ with a statement about you, why you would like to be involved and a link to your work.

3D consequences is an idea for a project that I had a long while ago. The possibility of winning a small pot of money to facilitate the project to 3D print the models created has finally made me organise the project. It is titled “3D Consequences” and the objectives, through collaboration, is firstly to give a designer maker who is new to 3D modelling the opportunity to use our Anarkik 3D Design package (with access, training and support) and to design for 3D printing. Secondly we want to generate greater awareness of Anarkik 3D Design by promoting the project and exhibiting the work that arises. If we get the project going quickly there is the possibility that the resulting 3D prints can be exhibited at the 3DPrintShow on our stand in November 2013. We have a London gallery that is also interested; The project goes like this:

• 4 designer makers/jewellers involved, 3 are already users of Anarkik 3D Design, 4th person is a designer maker, preferably new to 3D modelling and 3D printing
• stage 1: all four design an object digitally.
  • First deadline: all four save their model  and screen captures of progress to a dedicated dropbox
• stage 2: swop models, each working on a different stage 1 model, and again capture progress, save new creation to dropbox, etc.
• 4 iterations = 16 digital designs for 3D printing out into 16 objects
• each collaborative design transformation physically captures the stories and imagination behind each iteration.

Model for a bead: detail.

There is a logistical reason for selecting jewellers: they can work small and these smaller  pieces are cost effective to 3D print, and value can also be added to the 3D print which is likely to be a white nylon type material.

This collection of work and its case studies will be used to promote the value our product has for designer makers and show the design potential and complexity possible using Anarkik 3D Design and 3D printing. The 4 designers involved in the project will also be promoted through publicity and exhibitions and hope they will reciprocate. With more traction, more projects like this become possible and so on – the snowball effect!

3D printing is hot technology which requires 3D digital models and for creative people creating one’s own is important. Anarkik3D developed their touch enabled 3D modelling software,‘Anarkik 3D Design’, to be affordable, easy and enjoyable to learn and use. It is designed by designer makers for designer makers/applied artists, particularly for those who do not use or like computer aided design (CAD) software and uses an off-the-shelf 3D haptic force feedback device to provide the touch sensation and easy 3D movement for navigating and creating in a 3D environment.

Ring: 3D printed in bronze

We purposefully associate our product with 3D printing technology and its huge benefits for business and designer makers’ practice. With the development of high quality finishing, lowering costs and 3D printing in metal, this technology will be used more and more to 3D print finished articles to flexibly expand product ranges, personalised and customised artefacts, and roll out new business models. It is very exciting technology and designer makers have the right mind set to design for it. This project we hope will show the potential and emphasise the advantages of combining 3D printing and Anarkik 3D Design

If you would like to apply to be the 4th designer maker, please email thinks@anarkik3d.co.uk, subject line: ‘3D Consequences’ by  21st July 2013, with a statement about you, why you would like to be involved and a link to your work.

You have to have access to our software and the Falcon haptic device. If you live in or near Edinburgh Anarkik3D offer you the use of a system in their office, plus tutoring and support. It will also be necessary to set aside time to work on 4 pieces and to 4 deadlines and to enjoy collaborating with 3 other people in what will be a fun project.

We will use this blog to comment on the project and show progress.

Anarkik3D’s Short Intensive Courses on 3D modelling for 3D printing: Cloud9 haptic software

We have more dates for our Cloud9 courses (see below).

Please contact us to discuss the best course for you. Anarkik3D’s CEO takes the courses. She is a professional designer maker, internationally renown jeweller, uses 3D printing for her work and has taught at degree level. She takes a maximum of 5 people to give maximum attention to hit the ground running with 3D digital modelling for 3D printing!

Birgit’s 3Dprinted rings in polyamide and alumide

The July workshop was amazing, intensive and great fun.
It was intensive and proved that Cloud9 is a 3D modelling tool for professional use for all levels of expertise, from a base of no previous experience of 3D modelling, or 2D graphics, upwrds.
Within the 3 day course the 4 jewellers used Cloud9 pretty thoroughly, fitting it to their own aesthetic and style of working: Masako with a more experimental free style way of working, deforming, non-uniform scaling, mirroring, copy and pasting;

Suzanne’s ‘Stonen 2’ using ‘subtraction’ and in wireform

Suzanne very measured and thoughtful, exploring the visual aesthetic of forms created with subtraction and in wireform; Birgit with a very practical and determined approach, translating her 2D style, shapes and  proportions perfectly into 3D, and Hiltje’s cautious exploration of working digitally for the first time, and by exploiting 3D haptics (sensory touch from force feedback), and 3D interaction for slicing, rotating and moving, creating fine balanced 3 dimensional constructions.

Masako’s very fluid model in Cloud9

The majority of models created on the course are beautiful, delightful, humorous designs, 3D printable and practical. I say majority as first models can be monstrous and very ugly as the novelty and sheer fun of haptics obliterates any sense of control. This comes a tad later with the realisation that this is how we should be working in a virtual 3D environment and 3D modelling.

Hiltje’s 3D model in Cloud9

Date	Type of Course	Fee	For Whom	Times
Nov 1st (Thursday)	1 Day Introduction to Cloud9	£185	Serious taster/trial of Cloud9 for Designer makers, artists + info about 3D printing	9.30 am to 5.30 pm
Nov 2nd (Friday)	1 Day Introduction to Cloud9	£185	Serious taster/trial of Cloud9 for Designer makers, artists	9.30 am to 5.30 pm
Nov 3rd (Sat) /Nov 4th (Sun)	2 day Intensive workshop on Cloud9	£250	Serious work through of Cloud9 for owners/potential owners	2 pm to 5.30 and9.30 am to 4.00 pm
Nov 9th (Friday) /Nov 10th (Sat)	2 Day Comprehensive  workshop on Cloud9 and designing for 3D printing	£385	Serious work through of Cloud9 for owners/potential owners  – includes designing for 3D printing	9.30 am to 5.30 pm  and 9.30 am to 5.30 pm
Dec 1st(Sat) NEW FOR CHRISTMAS	1 Day Introduction to Cloud9 for 3D printing	£150	Novice users: to use Cloud9 haptic software with range of shapes to create and customise a model, – this will be a FUN day	9.30 am to 5.30 pm
Dec 2nd(Sunday) NEW FOR CHRISTMAS	1 Day Introduction to Cloud9 for 3D printing	£150	Novice users : as above and for those wanting 2nd day to go on for 3D printing	9.30 am to 5.30 pm

Anarkik3D’s CEO takes the courses. She is a professional designer maker, internationally renown jeweller, uses 3D printing for her work and has taught at degree level. She takes a maximum of 5 people to give maximum attention to hit the ground running with 3D digital modelling for 3D printing!

We  have a personal Desktop 3D printer, the Maxit3D, from A1 Technologies, in action to give context for designing to help you understand the concept and constraints of designing for this technology.

A1 Technologies Maxit 3D printer

It is NOT ‘cheating’ to use Cloud9 and 3D printing ….

11 month’s ago I headlined a post on my own blog titled  “Is a designer ‘cheating’ if they use 3D modelling packages that are incredibly ‘easy to learn and use’?” http://annmarieshillito.wordpress.com/2011/05/16/cloud9-cheating/

The following quote from Nick Grace who runs RapidForm at the Royal College of Art in London is pertinent to my blog point about complexity of process excluding many talented and creative people from using digital tools such as 3D modelling and 3D printing as they do not have the time and resources to begin to learn software of any sort with steep learning curves. Any tool that aids their practice is fair game

<em>”That’s why the debate between traditional craftspeople and digital designers is getting lively. “Traditionally,” says Grace, “the non-maker had to rely on another human being to help him out. Now they can do it all themselves. There’s a lot of Luddite mentality attached to it, a lot of fear. Some people think that in order for something to be good it has to be difficult to achieve, and for someone to achieve something easily, it’s just not fair.”</em>

Nick is referring to 3D printing and about anyone being able with this technology to ‘make’ complex forms difficult to produce by any other method. I was referring to 3D software for creating the model to be 3D printed – a digital model whether created, borrowed, scanned or whatever is essential for 3D printing! Unlike standard CAD, the software should be as easy as picking up a pencil or piece of clay and of a quality to provide the balance between pleasure and challenge whereby it is possible to progress and to master the medium. That is our goal for Anarkik3D’s haptic Cloud9 3D sketch/modelling package!

If you want your own 3D model to print you can get one here http://www.indiegogo.com/anarkik3d and this will also support us via our crowdfunding campaign.

If you want to own a 3D print  you can also order one here http://www.indiegogo.com/anarkik3d and support our crowdfunding campaign.

If you want to create a 3D model to 3D print  you can order Cloud9 package here http://www.indiegogo.com/anarkik3d – and support our crowdfunding campaign to your own benefit.

If you want to hit the ground running for creating 3D models to 3D print to optimise your practice and business you can come on a course in beautiful Edinburgh to learn to Cloud9 package! You can also order all that here http://www.indiegogo.com/anarkik3d – and support our crowdfunding campaign into the bargain.

Award winning, interactive, Cloud9 designed, 3D printed work

Award winning, interactive, Cloud9 designed, 3D printed work.

3D printing is hot. You need 3D digital data of the model befor it can be printed. Here is a great video in which Farah Bandookwala shows how haptic Cloud9 with its virtual touch has revolutionised the way she works with computers and 3D printing. Cloud9 is the 3D modelling software for creative people, designed by a designer at Anarkik3D for designers, applied artists and  artists.

Award winning interactive Cloud9 designed, 3D printed work

Here is a great video in which Farah Bandookwala shows how haptic Cloud9 with its virtual touch has revolutionised the way she works with computers and 3D printing.

The Art & Science of Touch from Siri Rodnes on Vimeo.

Be great if this video gets included for the Power of Making exhibition at the V&A Museum as the 2 artists in residence will have the use of haptic Cloud9 (kindly loaned by A1 Technologies) and, for the open days, the public might be able to use it too.

Farah’s latest interactive sculptures can be seen in the Jerwood Makers Open exhibition at the Jerwood Space in London until the 28th August 2011.

Mcor/Anarkik3D project part 2

Ann Marie's 3D printed bangle painted using acrylic paints

 This  bangle has been designed using Anarkik3D’s haptic Cloud9 sketch modelling software and 3D printing by Mcor using their Matrix  printer.  The designer, Ann Marie Shillito, is a strong advocate of 3D printing and particularly enjoys designing to use the printed object as the end product, adding value to it through the finishing process.  This bangle has been finish using acrylic paint with touches of gold paint for sparkle. Earlier pieces were also gold leafed too.

 As a designer jeweller she uses her expertise to design products and objects to test Cloud9 through all stages of its development, particularly as a package for use by professionals for concept modelling forvisualising both as a digital form and as a 3D printing model. The next stage of the project is to have designs printed in layers of coloured paper as this will illustrate particularly well the potential for designers, applied artists and artists of combining the material/build process offered by the Matrix with Cloud9’s special capabilies for creating organic free flowing  forms.  The colour layers of the build emphasise non uniform curves hence the intention to explore this effect by designing for printing in layers of coloured sheets.  

AMS: digital bangle in Cloud9

  AMS intends to capture the full process from design to finished object, using screen captures such as the one on the right, and  photographs of the ‘peeling’ process (stripping away the waste paper) to clearly show the building process (in a interesting reverse order) and the integral supporting mechanism that the Matrix has. An understanding of the affordances and constraints of this method of 3D printing should enable concepts to be pushed further and thereby challenge oneself at the design stage to be more adventurous and explore this technology more knowledgably.  Ann Marie’s work will be covered in this blog as designs are developed, the objects printed and then finished.

Tavs Jorgensen's Mcor 3D printed piece

 This was the first stage, the pilot project as it were, and there were three designers who participated. Sandra Wilson’s work has been covered in an earlier blog. The 3rd person is Tavs Jorgensen and his 3D printed piece on the right shows an arched block with one surface pulled up into rows of  peaks at differing heights. The most economical positioning for printing, that is horizontal, has left the tops of the peaks vulnerable and a number have come adrift. Knowing more about how this might be avoided will also inform the design process.