Thursday, February 26, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Assignment 4
From the readings:
"3D Input and Output" from The Computer in The Visual Arts by Anne Spalter, Addison Wesley Longman Inc. 1999, pp 297-316.
http://archrecord.construction.com/features/digital/archives/0501dignews-1.asp
"3D Input and Output" describes various forms of 3D input and output devices. We are familiar with 2D input devices such as a normal computer mouse, but there are also a number of 3D input devices. One device is a 3D mouse. This mouse doesn’t only slide around on a mouse pad, but it is raised and lowered in 3D space. One disadvantage to this device is that people’s arms can get tired from holding the mouse.
Joysticks and dials are also ordinary 2D devices that are also made for 3D input. One device that is not so ordinary is sensor-filled gloves. The gloves allow for the user to move their hands around in the air and the computer picks up signals from the sensors. A disadvantage to these gloves is that they must be custom fit to the user’s hand.
Head and body tracking is another way to sensor movement and translate it to 3D animation. This is a great invention for animated movies. People can use sensors to track their body movements, and these movements can be applied to the animated characters in the film. This makes it easy to create realistic looking characters that move how real humans would.
3D output is much different than 3D input. The most common of these devices are the standard 3D glasses. One eye is red and the other is blue. The two colors make the eyes pick up slightly different images from the 2D screen. The two images put together make it look 3D. Different images are seen because the screen contains red and blue on the image that is either picked up or hidden when viewed through the glasses.
Other ways to view 3D images is by virtual reality. This is when the viewer feels as though they are actually in the scene on the screen. One version of this is through a helmet with screens. Another way is through a mirror like effect. With this, the viewer’s image is put into the scene, so the viewer seems to be looking at themselves in a mirror with virtual objects. One day, there is hope to have virtual reality in small glasses. However, this technology is yet to be created.
Virtual reality can be helpful in the design industry. When looking at 3D models on the 2D screen, we cannot see the whole picture. This is, we cannot experience being in the space. In the Architectural Record article, “Virtual reality and digital modeling go on trial for a federal courtroom design,” virtual realty is used in the aid of designing a courtroom. Often times, many changes must be made when the design is built, but the virtual reality helped to eliminate many changes. The clients can visualize themselves in the space and can see heights and dimensions of pieces in the space. Then, changes can be made in the early stages of the design. This can save on costs of materials and time of construction. Maybe one day, 3D models and designs will be viewed this way on a regular basis.
"3D Input and Output" from The Computer in The Visual Arts by Anne Spalter, Addison Wesley Longman Inc. 1999, pp 297-316.
http://archrecord.construction.com/features/digital/archives/0501dignews-1.asp
"3D Input and Output" describes various forms of 3D input and output devices. We are familiar with 2D input devices such as a normal computer mouse, but there are also a number of 3D input devices. One device is a 3D mouse. This mouse doesn’t only slide around on a mouse pad, but it is raised and lowered in 3D space. One disadvantage to this device is that people’s arms can get tired from holding the mouse.
Joysticks and dials are also ordinary 2D devices that are also made for 3D input. One device that is not so ordinary is sensor-filled gloves. The gloves allow for the user to move their hands around in the air and the computer picks up signals from the sensors. A disadvantage to these gloves is that they must be custom fit to the user’s hand.
Head and body tracking is another way to sensor movement and translate it to 3D animation. This is a great invention for animated movies. People can use sensors to track their body movements, and these movements can be applied to the animated characters in the film. This makes it easy to create realistic looking characters that move how real humans would.
3D output is much different than 3D input. The most common of these devices are the standard 3D glasses. One eye is red and the other is blue. The two colors make the eyes pick up slightly different images from the 2D screen. The two images put together make it look 3D. Different images are seen because the screen contains red and blue on the image that is either picked up or hidden when viewed through the glasses.
Other ways to view 3D images is by virtual reality. This is when the viewer feels as though they are actually in the scene on the screen. One version of this is through a helmet with screens. Another way is through a mirror like effect. With this, the viewer’s image is put into the scene, so the viewer seems to be looking at themselves in a mirror with virtual objects. One day, there is hope to have virtual reality in small glasses. However, this technology is yet to be created.
Virtual reality can be helpful in the design industry. When looking at 3D models on the 2D screen, we cannot see the whole picture. This is, we cannot experience being in the space. In the Architectural Record article, “Virtual reality and digital modeling go on trial for a federal courtroom design,” virtual realty is used in the aid of designing a courtroom. Often times, many changes must be made when the design is built, but the virtual reality helped to eliminate many changes. The clients can visualize themselves in the space and can see heights and dimensions of pieces in the space. Then, changes can be made in the early stages of the design. This can save on costs of materials and time of construction. Maybe one day, 3D models and designs will be viewed this way on a regular basis.
Project Investigation
For my project investigation, I would like to use a computer program to create an animation for my model. I had designed a multi-purpose dorm room furniture piece last semester that has several movable parts. In presenting it, I would show a still image of the digital model with open parts and then with closed parts. It would have been beneficial to show the parts moving. I would like to create a digital model of this furniture that can be animated to move. If possible, it would be nice to make it interactive. If I could click on different parts to open and close them, it could help others understand the design much better.
The final product will be a nicely rendered model of the dorm furniture with an animation. The animation will show how the drawers pull out and how the desk and bed fold down.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Assignment on Rendering
From the readings:
"Rendering 3D worlds - 3D Geometric Graphics II" by Anne Spalter, Addison Wesley Longman Inc. 1999, pp 257-293.
"Once and Future Graphics Pioneer", B.J. Novitski
http://www.architectureweek.com/2000/0913/tools_1-1.html
"Once and Future Graphics Pioneer Part II", B.J. Novitski
http://www.architectureweek.com/2000/0920/tools_1-1.html
All of these articles have the commonality of computer modeling and rendering and lighting effects in computer modeling. The chapter "Rendering 3D worlds - 3D Geometric Graphics II" by Anne Spalter explains all about the basics of 3d rendering and how light reacts to different surfaces of models. Being familiar with 3D modeling and having rendered models before, much of this information was not new to me. Through my experiences with Form Z, I have used texture mapping and bump mapping. I have also added ambient and point source lighting into models. I have even used the virtual camera to save scenes of my model. All of these methods are explained in this chapter, and having used them before, the information only further made it clear what was happening during these processes.
It was not until the section on ray tracing that I was unfamiliar with the rendering process. I have heard the term “ray tracing” before, but I have never seen it explained in such depth. Ray tracing is the interaction between light and objects. This is how light bounces off objects to create shadows and reflections of an object. This process is what makes the 2D screen appear 3D.
The articles from Architecture Week are both related to the Program of Computer Graphics (PCG) at Cornell University. The Director, Donald P. Greenberg has led this program since 1974, and he and his team have developed many of the applications used by architects. One project that Greenburg and his students are working on is a way to “rethink the medium.” While architects used to use a pencil and paper to draw out plans and designs, today, architects are using a mouse and pointer on a screen. This project combines the old method of sketching by hand and new technologies of digital modeling. The design team had developed a system of modeling on a screen by using a portable pen and drawing board. This method allows users to draw on x, y, and z planes. Currently, this design is very expensive and unaffordable to architects. Hopefully, one day it can be a normal and affordable form of design in 3D modeling.
Another project Greenburg and his team is working on is a way to improve lighting in 3D modeling programs. Now, when working in modeling programs, digital lighting methods can be used to show how light will pass through a window or space. If the render does not look good, the designer can alter the light to improve on the rendering. With new technology, the design team is working on creating a way to make light realistic. The light in the program will flow through the window how it would in real life. If the render does not look good, the light cannot be altered. You cannot move the sun, so why should you be able to move the light in the program? Therefore, the designer must alter the size of the window or the colors in the room. They must change their design. Having lighting true to nature and real life will greatly affect the way we design and can really help in creating better, more accurate designs. It will help the designer and client better visualize a final product.
While the first article of the Architecture Week articles talks about several projects of Cornell University students, the second article talks about how the students learn and where the Cornell students will go after graduation. Cornell design students do not have separate courses for their 3D computer design. This allows them to be more creative and go further with their skills in 3D modeling. Thee students are learning programs that are more advanced than programs used by other people today. This more sophisticated technology allows the students to express themselves better than they otherwise could have.
Rendering 3D models, as we do today, is only the beginning. New technologies are constantly being designed, and renderings will continue to look more and more like real life pictures. With more accurate lighting and easier ways of drawing in 3D, designs and renderings will only improve from where they are today.
"Rendering 3D worlds - 3D Geometric Graphics II" by Anne Spalter, Addison Wesley Longman Inc. 1999, pp 257-293.
"Once and Future Graphics Pioneer", B.J. Novitski
http://www.architectureweek.com/2000/0913/tools_1-1.html
"Once and Future Graphics Pioneer Part II", B.J. Novitski
http://www.architectureweek.com/2000/0920/tools_1-1.html
All of these articles have the commonality of computer modeling and rendering and lighting effects in computer modeling. The chapter "Rendering 3D worlds - 3D Geometric Graphics II" by Anne Spalter explains all about the basics of 3d rendering and how light reacts to different surfaces of models. Being familiar with 3D modeling and having rendered models before, much of this information was not new to me. Through my experiences with Form Z, I have used texture mapping and bump mapping. I have also added ambient and point source lighting into models. I have even used the virtual camera to save scenes of my model. All of these methods are explained in this chapter, and having used them before, the information only further made it clear what was happening during these processes.
It was not until the section on ray tracing that I was unfamiliar with the rendering process. I have heard the term “ray tracing” before, but I have never seen it explained in such depth. Ray tracing is the interaction between light and objects. This is how light bounces off objects to create shadows and reflections of an object. This process is what makes the 2D screen appear 3D.
The articles from Architecture Week are both related to the Program of Computer Graphics (PCG) at Cornell University. The Director, Donald P. Greenberg has led this program since 1974, and he and his team have developed many of the applications used by architects. One project that Greenburg and his students are working on is a way to “rethink the medium.” While architects used to use a pencil and paper to draw out plans and designs, today, architects are using a mouse and pointer on a screen. This project combines the old method of sketching by hand and new technologies of digital modeling. The design team had developed a system of modeling on a screen by using a portable pen and drawing board. This method allows users to draw on x, y, and z planes. Currently, this design is very expensive and unaffordable to architects. Hopefully, one day it can be a normal and affordable form of design in 3D modeling.
Another project Greenburg and his team is working on is a way to improve lighting in 3D modeling programs. Now, when working in modeling programs, digital lighting methods can be used to show how light will pass through a window or space. If the render does not look good, the designer can alter the light to improve on the rendering. With new technology, the design team is working on creating a way to make light realistic. The light in the program will flow through the window how it would in real life. If the render does not look good, the light cannot be altered. You cannot move the sun, so why should you be able to move the light in the program? Therefore, the designer must alter the size of the window or the colors in the room. They must change their design. Having lighting true to nature and real life will greatly affect the way we design and can really help in creating better, more accurate designs. It will help the designer and client better visualize a final product.
While the first article of the Architecture Week articles talks about several projects of Cornell University students, the second article talks about how the students learn and where the Cornell students will go after graduation. Cornell design students do not have separate courses for their 3D computer design. This allows them to be more creative and go further with their skills in 3D modeling. Thee students are learning programs that are more advanced than programs used by other people today. This more sophisticated technology allows the students to express themselves better than they otherwise could have.
Rendering 3D models, as we do today, is only the beginning. New technologies are constantly being designed, and renderings will continue to look more and more like real life pictures. With more accurate lighting and easier ways of drawing in 3D, designs and renderings will only improve from where they are today.
Trip to NC State Furniture Manufacturing Center
Last week, on February 11, the IAR 560 class took a trip to NC State Furniture Manufacturing Center. On our trip, we were toured through various rooms of the center. The first room we saw was a furniture-testing center. Various pieces of furniture, with various materials can be tested for strength and durability. Many tests are videotaped and monitored closely through computers.
The next room we visited was a 3D printing room or rapid prototype room. This room contained a variety of 3D printers. One of the least expensive ones creates 3D objects by dispersing plastic through very tiny glue guns. Plastic is used to form the solid parts, and another material is used for what will become void area. This material will then be dissolved in water. Other machines in the room use lasers to solidify powder.
Another room we went to was a furniture making room. This room contained large saws and routers. Some of the machines were manual, while others use the aid of a computer. There was also a laser cutter in that room. The laser cutter uses computer drawings to accurately cut materials with a laser.
The final room was a metal working room. This room had a large quantity of metal working machines. There were machines that cut and bend metal, and also machines that mold metals from the liquid form.
The next room we visited was a 3D printing room or rapid prototype room. This room contained a variety of 3D printers. One of the least expensive ones creates 3D objects by dispersing plastic through very tiny glue guns. Plastic is used to form the solid parts, and another material is used for what will become void area. This material will then be dissolved in water. Other machines in the room use lasers to solidify powder.
Another room we went to was a furniture making room. This room contained large saws and routers. Some of the machines were manual, while others use the aid of a computer. There was also a laser cutter in that room. The laser cutter uses computer drawings to accurately cut materials with a laser.
The final room was a metal working room. This room had a large quantity of metal working machines. There were machines that cut and bend metal, and also machines that mold metals from the liquid form.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Assignment 3
Based on the articles:
On 3D printing: Excerpt from "3D Input and Output" from The Computer in The Visual Arts by Anne Spalter, Addison Wesley Longman Inc. 1999, pp 317-321.
“Morphosis Prints Models” by Martin Doscher
http://www.architectureweek.com/2004/0915/tools_2-1.html
"3D Input and Output" is a good article to give a brief overview of the different types of 3D printing. The article gives a brief description of each type and a picture of an example. It does not, however, go into detail on how the printer works. It was not until I read “Morphosis Prints Models” that I really understood the layering process.
“Morphosis Prints Models” is an article about a firm that uses stereolithography (STL) to print models in 3D. The article describes how the printer works and what the firm uses the printer for. This article gives a good overview of stereolithography and its benefits.
With stereolithography, a file is made in a 3D modeling program such as Form Z. Then, the file is printed using powder and a laser. The powder is spread in a very thin layer, and a laser is passed over the area that will remain solid. Then the tray moves down, and another layer of powder is spread. The process repeats until the top layer is complete. Finally, the solid model can be lifted from the remaining powder.
I have heard of this form of 3D printing and have seen the product of a 3D printed model. However, not all 3D printing is done this way. There are several forms that I have not seen before. Laminated Object Manufacturing is a process that starts with solid layers and laser cuts each layer to its shape. Then the layers are fused with heat. Selective Laser Sintering is another form that uses powders, but this process uses powders of various materials and can apply different materials to parts of the model.
The ability to print in 3D can really benefit designers and clients in the design process. The ability to see a model off the computer screen can help people visualize the design better in its 3D form. While we have hand built models to serve this purpose, 3D printing can be more accurate and can be built while the designer works on other things. The time spent on modeling can be reduced to only the preparation.
Currently, 3D modeling can take hours and is limited in size. Morphosis takes a whole day to prepare models for printing, and a 6” cube model will take an hour. Materials and printers are also very expensive. These are not printers that someone could easily purchase for personal use. I predict that as technology progresses, costs will go down and 3D printers will become much faster. There was a time that a color printer was unheard of in a household and was also very expensive. Now it is almost unheard of to not have a color printer. Various forms of 3D printing will become more popular and widely used in design companies and education.
On 3D printing: Excerpt from "3D Input and Output" from The Computer in The Visual Arts by Anne Spalter, Addison Wesley Longman Inc. 1999, pp 317-321.
“Morphosis Prints Models” by Martin Doscher
http://www.architectureweek.com/2004/0915/tools_2-1.html
"3D Input and Output" is a good article to give a brief overview of the different types of 3D printing. The article gives a brief description of each type and a picture of an example. It does not, however, go into detail on how the printer works. It was not until I read “Morphosis Prints Models” that I really understood the layering process.
“Morphosis Prints Models” is an article about a firm that uses stereolithography (STL) to print models in 3D. The article describes how the printer works and what the firm uses the printer for. This article gives a good overview of stereolithography and its benefits.
With stereolithography, a file is made in a 3D modeling program such as Form Z. Then, the file is printed using powder and a laser. The powder is spread in a very thin layer, and a laser is passed over the area that will remain solid. Then the tray moves down, and another layer of powder is spread. The process repeats until the top layer is complete. Finally, the solid model can be lifted from the remaining powder.
I have heard of this form of 3D printing and have seen the product of a 3D printed model. However, not all 3D printing is done this way. There are several forms that I have not seen before. Laminated Object Manufacturing is a process that starts with solid layers and laser cuts each layer to its shape. Then the layers are fused with heat. Selective Laser Sintering is another form that uses powders, but this process uses powders of various materials and can apply different materials to parts of the model.
The ability to print in 3D can really benefit designers and clients in the design process. The ability to see a model off the computer screen can help people visualize the design better in its 3D form. While we have hand built models to serve this purpose, 3D printing can be more accurate and can be built while the designer works on other things. The time spent on modeling can be reduced to only the preparation.
Currently, 3D modeling can take hours and is limited in size. Morphosis takes a whole day to prepare models for printing, and a 6” cube model will take an hour. Materials and printers are also very expensive. These are not printers that someone could easily purchase for personal use. I predict that as technology progresses, costs will go down and 3D printers will become much faster. There was a time that a color printer was unheard of in a household and was also very expensive. Now it is almost unheard of to not have a color printer. Various forms of 3D printing will become more popular and widely used in design companies and education.
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