Posts

Experiences With Grasshopper (So Far...)

    Experiences With Grasshopper (So Far...) I still have yet to really get a handle on grasshopper, but what I do like about it a lot is the node-based user interface. I dabble a little in analog synthesizers, so the visualization of plugging things into each other made sense to me. I think what I have issues with for now is how to map out my ideas in grasshopper... I have a tendency to over complicate things a little or go for more complex that are above my actual skill level. I'm not too worried about this though, I think it's just a matter of practice and sleep. Once I do get a grapple on things I think grasshopper will take my designs to the next level. 

Arc De Kusche

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  Arc De Kusche For our next assignment we will be using a CNC machine that prints designs with clay, which can then be fired in the kiln and glazed. We were prompted to come up with something a little experimental.  I was thinking of doing my own arc, like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Not sure why, the idea just came to me and I really like doing architectural work with ceramics. The print wouldn't normally do well with an arc, but I will CNC mill a block that'll support the structure as it prints. However, because of the block, the movement of the machine is restricted. To solve this issue, I'll just print the arc in pieces and assemble it after.  Here is the master design:  With the wooden block: March 25th, 2026  I now have a cleaner model of my object and extracted the curves for my g-code. Here it is below: Next step is to convert to g-code, then have a crack at printing my object!       April 1st, 2026 So I we ran two rounds on the clay CN...

Design Language: Rolex

Design Language: Rolex  For this next assignment we have to make a working clock. The dial mechanism is being provided for us, and it is our job to make a clock around it.  I love studying design, old and contemporary. Every movement, style or genre has key elements that make it instantly recognizable. This is the same with brands, each having motifs and stylistic elements that build the identity of the brand. I'm personally a sucker for Rolex watches and intend on studying its design closely to figure out what makes these watches so iconic, and so beloved.  Research:  March 18th, 2026  I have the baseline of my clock figured out, organized and rendered. I feel that some of the geometry is still a little messy, but I'm gonna clean it up once I get a final idea of my design March 22nd, 2026 Now I'm almost done, I've added the glass I'll be putting on top into my render, got the bezels for my stones figured out. All I really need to do now is array my design aroun...

Pedistal For A Ring

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  Pedestal For A Ring  For today’s assignment I’ve made a 3D form in Rhino out of a 2D paper model.  I’m really into large structural sculptures, so I came up with a design. Because of the limitations of two dimensions, I wasn’t able to layout the shape I wanted correctly on a flat surface, so I took the same concept and simply cut it in half. This is the shape I came up with. It was supposed to be one big standing X shape, but like I said I settled for something a little less complex (for now). I almost like this shape anyways because its flat surface opens the piece up to functional use as a pedestal.  Below are some views of the final object created in Rhino: Again I had to kinda settle with what I made. There were some unexpected nuances with the paper model that became really hard to translate onto the computer model,  namely the way paper bends and pinches and pulls, that I had to do my best recreating in Rhino without a network surface. Otherwise I’m pret...

Modern Vase on LSD (Updated)

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  Modern Vase on LSD For this next assignment we are making a mold for an abstract object. The examples given in class were cool vases and containers, so I thought I'd make my own vase.  Hopefully my design is actually practical, as I'd really like to make a real mold of this thing and possibly cast and fire this thing in a kiln just to have in my house as a center piece on my coffee table.  It took a lot of triangular forms to get such a distinct shape to work. I had to take extra care that the mesh was properly connected, and I eventually had to go back and clean up some of the geometry. It still isn't perfect, as the object won't join correctly. I know there is a function that highlights the problem areas, but I can't remember how to do it, so I'll ask my professor on Wednesday.  *Edit, I figured it out. This is my vase scaled down to fit the dimensions of my mold. Fingers crossed I can get this all figured out.  Final model of the casting rig. Feb 4th, 2026 ...

New Semester, New Me

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  New Semester, New Me January 13th, 2026   Today I'm showing off a little exercise I did for my object design class I've decided to take in my third year at Auarts.  We were told to make an object using only planar surfaces, then unfold it into one contiguous layout using the rotate functions.   We did a fun little warm up in class by folding pieces of paper to make some kind of object. Naturally the class leaned heavily into origami, as did I because I loved origami as a kid. My Rhino exercise was definitely inspired by the origami I saw in class but I wanted to push the form in ways impossible with traditional origami techniques.  Sometimes I retroactively find my inspirations for things after I'm halfway through a project. I think I was inspired by one of the "Angels" from the popular anime  Evangelion.  I think it would be cool to do a series of my own angels, all of which are geometric, planar, and unfold like this one in the show.  The...

Final In-Class Post :(

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  Final In-Class Post :( Time for a moment of reflection. I've come a long way with my modelling skills. Out of all my classes this semester, this one was both the most stressful and the most rewarding class. I absolutely do not regret taking it though. I feel like the creative doors are open so wide thanks to the limitless creative potential with Rhino. I'm a jewelry major, but I'm considering staying an extra year to take object design as a concentration. Jewelry practice and object design have so much overlap that I think having both in my arsenal will help set me apart in the workforce.  Anyways, enough self-glazing. Here is a photo of my very first completed project in rhino. At this point in my "Rhino career", most of my modelling experience came from Blender, so my approach in construction was very "poly", and relied on a lot of simple shapes and boolean operations. Overall, considering the skillset I had and the basic shapes I used, I'm still...