CAD WORK
Dimensioned CAD drawings
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Dimensioned CAD drawings
For this exercise I had to create 2D drawings of my mobile device groups device. Our idea was a bracelet meant for festivals and other events where it is common to loose your phone. It contains the event ticket, payment options, event maps and may other event tools. The idea was to make it possible for the user to be able to leave their phone at home and attend with only the bracelet.
I was tasked with designing the main body of the bracelet, and a team member had the job of the clasp.
To begin I created sketches of ideas to be able to lay my thoughts down on paper. This allowed me to show my group and get their opinion before continuing with the design. Below is the first page of sketches I took to my team.
Once I showed my team, we decided that the bracelet would have a wrist projector for the map so took their feedback onboard and did some more drawings.
Once I had a rough idea of the idea my team wanted to go with I did two pages of drawings. These drawings are more detailed in that they show the layers I wanted to incorporate as well as notes.
The first drawing is my first proper idea which I took to create the second drawing. The second drawing is the idea we ended up going with.
My final design was simple. The bracelet has smoothed edges much like an apple watches screen. The width varied with the thicker part being where the projector is situated and the thinner part where the clasp is. As it is all one part except for where the clasp would be, it means the bracelet is waterproof and harder to break.
My next job was to create the bracelet using CAD.
I did this on CAD to scale as much as possible. After much adjustment I settled on the thickest part of the bracelet being 8.55mm thick and the thinnest part being 3.06mm thick. This meant there is enough space to house the projector but still allowing it to be relatively light and small.
To create the model, I primarily used the circle tool, imputing measurements from previous research of wrist sizes so that my drawings are accurate. (for more information on my wrist research see the ergonomics topic ‘User Dimensions’ near the bottom of this page) Once I had created the original rough model, I made three with the correct measurements. They aren’t as detailed as I only wanted to show the size and thickeness. I also included a table showing the measurements for each model.
I was tasked with designing the main body of the bracelet, and a team member had the job of the clasp.
To begin I created sketches of ideas to be able to lay my thoughts down on paper. This allowed me to show my group and get their opinion before continuing with the design. Below is the first page of sketches I took to my team.
Once I showed my team, we decided that the bracelet would have a wrist projector for the map so took their feedback onboard and did some more drawings.
Once I had a rough idea of the idea my team wanted to go with I did two pages of drawings. These drawings are more detailed in that they show the layers I wanted to incorporate as well as notes.
The first drawing is my first proper idea which I took to create the second drawing. The second drawing is the idea we ended up going with.
My final design was simple. The bracelet has smoothed edges much like an apple watches screen. The width varied with the thicker part being where the projector is situated and the thinner part where the clasp is. As it is all one part except for where the clasp would be, it means the bracelet is waterproof and harder to break.
My next job was to create the bracelet using CAD.
I did this on CAD to scale as much as possible. After much adjustment I settled on the thickest part of the bracelet being 8.55mm thick and the thinnest part being 3.06mm thick. This meant there is enough space to house the projector but still allowing it to be relatively light and small.
To create the model, I primarily used the circle tool, imputing measurements from previous research of wrist sizes so that my drawings are accurate. (for more information on my wrist research see the ergonomics topic ‘User Dimensions’ near the bottom of this page) Once I had created the original rough model, I made three with the correct measurements. They aren’t as detailed as I only wanted to show the size and thickeness. I also included a table showing the measurements for each model.
Mobile Device 3D model
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Mobile Device 3D model
This task was to take my 2D bracelet drawings from CAD and make them into 3D models. The models I made are not to scale but they give an indication of how I wanted the bracelet to look.
All the main body for the bracelet I kept on a single layer called ‘bracelet’. I also made a second layer called ‘technology’ in case I wanted to add the projector or any other additional bits. I didn’t end up using the technology layer.
I started with two 3D circles, one within the other. The two circles where slightly off centre as in my design there is a thick side to accommodate the projector and a thin side for the clasp. When extracting the two circles, I made the middle circle slightly taller than the outer one, so I was able to easily subtract the inside. This meant that I had an outer circle with a gap in the middle. See image below.
Once the base shape of the bracelet was completed it was time to smooth it. To do this, I changed the structure from a solid object to a mesh object. Once it was a mesh object, I was able to use the smooth tool to smooth out the edges to make a realistic looking model.
Below is an image showing how the bracelet looked during each stage of smoothing. (this image was created after I had smoothed the bracelet, and I used the minus smooth tool to get it back to a rough model)
I think that my 3D model looks good and represents my original idea for the bracelet. It shows the thick and thin edges as well as the shape I was going for. The only thing I wish I could have done was add the clasp into the model, but the designer I was working with who was making the clasp unfortunately didn’t give me her model.
Below is the download for the .dwg file of the 3D bracelet file.
All the main body for the bracelet I kept on a single layer called ‘bracelet’. I also made a second layer called ‘technology’ in case I wanted to add the projector or any other additional bits. I didn’t end up using the technology layer.
I started with two 3D circles, one within the other. The two circles where slightly off centre as in my design there is a thick side to accommodate the projector and a thin side for the clasp. When extracting the two circles, I made the middle circle slightly taller than the outer one, so I was able to easily subtract the inside. This meant that I had an outer circle with a gap in the middle. See image below.
Once the base shape of the bracelet was completed it was time to smooth it. To do this, I changed the structure from a solid object to a mesh object. Once it was a mesh object, I was able to use the smooth tool to smooth out the edges to make a realistic looking model.
Below is an image showing how the bracelet looked during each stage of smoothing. (this image was created after I had smoothed the bracelet, and I used the minus smooth tool to get it back to a rough model)
I think that my 3D model looks good and represents my original idea for the bracelet. It shows the thick and thin edges as well as the shape I was going for. The only thing I wish I could have done was add the clasp into the model, but the designer I was working with who was making the clasp unfortunately didn’t give me her model.
Below is the download for the .dwg file of the 3D bracelet file.
3D Mesh Modelling
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3D Mesh Modelling
This task allowed me to have a little bit of fun in CAD. We were asked to create two different mesh models. They had to be from one of four categories; transport, furniture, electronics or something wearable.
I got a little carried away and ended up making three models, but all three are very different.
The three models I made where a bed, a side table and a top hat. I chose these three as they each took completely different techniques to create which helped me to learn these different processes. For instance, I made the bed and table straight away as a mesh model, but I made the top hat using solid modelling first and then converted it into a mesh model before reducing the smoothness.
Below is a pdf document showing the three models from two different views each.
Here are the download links for each model file.
The table.
The bed.
The top hat.
I got a little carried away and ended up making three models, but all three are very different.
The three models I made where a bed, a side table and a top hat. I chose these three as they each took completely different techniques to create which helped me to learn these different processes. For instance, I made the bed and table straight away as a mesh model, but I made the top hat using solid modelling first and then converted it into a mesh model before reducing the smoothness.
Below is a pdf document showing the three models from two different views each.
Here are the download links for each model file.
The table.
The bed.
The top hat.
Rendering and Animation
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External References
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External References
External references are pretty much the combining of multiple documents into one but keeping them as separate drawings.
For this task we were given a booklet in class instructed to work through the exercises. It began rather straight forward but became rather tricky as I continued through the jobs. I found the editing of the separate x-refs the hardest, as I kept making mistakes. But by the end, I manage to grasp how to do it.
Here is the main task we were required to complete. It involved layering multiple documents onto one another accurately as they all fit like puzzle pieces.
Here is the download link for the X-Ref file.
For this task we were given a booklet in class instructed to work through the exercises. It began rather straight forward but became rather tricky as I continued through the jobs. I found the editing of the separate x-refs the hardest, as I kept making mistakes. But by the end, I manage to grasp how to do it.
Here is the main task we were required to complete. It involved layering multiple documents onto one another accurately as they all fit like puzzle pieces.
Here is the download link for the X-Ref file.
Dynamic Blocks
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Dynamic Blocks
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Dynamic Blocks
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Dynamic blocks are blocks that have multiple different attributes applied to them. For example, one model can be placed facing forward but then by pressing one of its blue tags you can completely change how it looks buy rotating moving or something similar.
For this task I was asked to create three different dynamic blocks out of assets used for our interactive projects. As my interactive project was mainly based in another program, Maya, I decided to make up some random unrelated assets in CAD to make into dynamic blocks.
The three models I ended up making were a bin, a bench and a rabbit run. I made the models using the line tool and simply joined the lines that where touching. I also put each object on a separate layer which gave them all separate colours.
By using the techniques that we were taught in class, I gave each of the block’s different attributes.
The bin has three different move points, which you can see in the image below.
The bench has three different mirror points, of which you can see below.
Finally, the rabbit run has two different rotation points.
Below is the download link for the .dwg containing the dynamic blocks that I created.
For this task I was asked to create three different dynamic blocks out of assets used for our interactive projects. As my interactive project was mainly based in another program, Maya, I decided to make up some random unrelated assets in CAD to make into dynamic blocks.
The three models I ended up making were a bin, a bench and a rabbit run. I made the models using the line tool and simply joined the lines that where touching. I also put each object on a separate layer which gave them all separate colours.
By using the techniques that we were taught in class, I gave each of the block’s different attributes.
The bin has three different move points, which you can see in the image below.
The bench has three different mirror points, of which you can see below.
Finally, the rabbit run has two different rotation points.
Below is the download link for the .dwg containing the dynamic blocks that I created.
Quick Commands And Shortcuts
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ERGONOMICS
User Dimensions
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User Dimensions
This exercise consisted of looking at my ‘Personal device’ group item that we were developing and looking at how it can be improved for the use of different people.
My groups project was a bracelet, that looks similar to a fitness band, that can be used for primarily for events. I.e. it contains your ticket, maps, payment and other useful apps that allow you to leave your phone at home and only require the band.
My part of the design process was designing the main body of the bracelet as another member in the group was designing the clasp for it. Due to designing the main body I knew the key aspect would be the sizes it came in. From the beginning we wanted to have 3 different sizes. Small, Medium and Large. Before I could make any decisions around the final sizes, I needed to gather some data. Specifically, the wrist circumference.
To gather the circumference data, my team and I asked our class mates and our families if we could measure their dominant wrist circumference. We also collected their ages and gender, so I was able to organise the data by gender and age. This also allowed me to put together some graphs and tables to show the collected data clearly.
I made two tables of data using the results we had gathered to show the wrist circumference of the 30 people we were able to measure. 15 females and 15 males.
I accumulated this data in to two different graphs corresponding to their gender. On these graphs I also showed the diameter and the circumference of the wrists.
An interesting factor that I found out when looking at the graphs is that at the higher end of 18 years old and at around 30 years old for both genders the wrist circumference spiked.
I then used this data to figure out 3 different sizes that would accommodate both females and males. I did this by splitting the data that I had accumulated into three different percentiles per gender. The 5th, the 50th and the 99th percentiles. Once I had found these percentiles it was very clear what sizes I should choose. I decided on small being 15cm round, medium being 18.5cm round and the large being 20.5cm round. These sizes would allow everyone that we had measured to be able to wear the device.
Below is the PDF showing a select few slides from my device projects team PowerPoint, showing the graphs, the tables and the calculations I have previously explained.
My groups project was a bracelet, that looks similar to a fitness band, that can be used for primarily for events. I.e. it contains your ticket, maps, payment and other useful apps that allow you to leave your phone at home and only require the band.
My part of the design process was designing the main body of the bracelet as another member in the group was designing the clasp for it. Due to designing the main body I knew the key aspect would be the sizes it came in. From the beginning we wanted to have 3 different sizes. Small, Medium and Large. Before I could make any decisions around the final sizes, I needed to gather some data. Specifically, the wrist circumference.
To gather the circumference data, my team and I asked our class mates and our families if we could measure their dominant wrist circumference. We also collected their ages and gender, so I was able to organise the data by gender and age. This also allowed me to put together some graphs and tables to show the collected data clearly.
I made two tables of data using the results we had gathered to show the wrist circumference of the 30 people we were able to measure. 15 females and 15 males.
I accumulated this data in to two different graphs corresponding to their gender. On these graphs I also showed the diameter and the circumference of the wrists.
An interesting factor that I found out when looking at the graphs is that at the higher end of 18 years old and at around 30 years old for both genders the wrist circumference spiked.
I then used this data to figure out 3 different sizes that would accommodate both females and males. I did this by splitting the data that I had accumulated into three different percentiles per gender. The 5th, the 50th and the 99th percentiles. Once I had found these percentiles it was very clear what sizes I should choose. I decided on small being 15cm round, medium being 18.5cm round and the large being 20.5cm round. These sizes would allow everyone that we had measured to be able to wear the device.
Below is the PDF showing a select few slides from my device projects team PowerPoint, showing the graphs, the tables and the calculations I have previously explained.
Exhibition Space Planning
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Expoloring the design of every day objects, Can they be Ergonomiclly Improved?
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PROJECTS
Mobile Device Project
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Interactive Device Project
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Interactive Project
For the second project of the semester we were given the task of creating something interactive that could be used/played with at the end of semester show. We had a spread of different devices that we could use including, Oculus rifts, Xbox 360, Wii and many more. All we had to do was come up with an idea and create it!
We were put into groups and given a range of different target audiences. These ranged from technophobes to school children. My group settled on school children as we felt that as a group we resonated more with them than any of the other groups.
The next task was to decide what our topic was going to be. We went through different ideas such as a historic game based in Winchester, and a photo booth, but none of them felt right. In the end we decided on a VR game that showed students the solar system and earth’s natural disasters.
The main premise was that the user would put on a VR headset and be able to look around and see the solar system. Then once you zoom in on earth the user can do movements to create effects. Effects such as stamping on a specific button to create an earthquake. Once the user stamps the program would show the layers of the earth and how they move in an earthquake.
Below is the original timeline that I drew to outline our idea.
We decided on attempting to use VR and Wii controllers originally to create the game, but we ended up using a computer screen and Wii controllers. This was due to our group not having a developer. Our 3D designer tried to code to the best of his ability, but as it is not his speciality we resulted in going for something a little simpler that would allow us to finish it in time for the show.
We had settled on a low-poly design type as it resonates well with children as its not too complicated. My job within the group was to create 3D planets in this low-poly style.
Originally, I attempted to use CAD to make mesh models of the planets; but as I started to attempt to make them it didn’t go well. As you can see in the image below the planets look clunky and just a bit too square for them to look anything like low-poly. I also experimented in a program called Mesh Mixer. Mesh Mixer is a simplified 3D program aimed for children to create models. It worked well and quick, but when it came to merging models or colouring them it became exceptionally difficult. You can see one of my attempted models below. I decided to switch up the program and learn how to use Maya.
Above, Earth Created in CAD. Below is the model created in Mesh Mixer.
Maya is another Autodesk program that many 3D designers use to make models. It has many more functions and style types than CAD when it comes to 3D work. Therefore, I thought it would be the best call for action.
I watched multiple YouTube Tutorials to try to help me create the model. One by ‘CG Tutorials’ really helped me create the bases for my earth as well as all of the different earth models I ended up creating. You can see this tutorial below.
After using this tutorial this is the earth I ended up creating.
It combined multiple spheres in different colours placed inside of one another to create the different land masses. As this was the first thing I ever managed to create in Maya I am extremely proud of it. You can easily tell it is the earth which was my main goal. I sent my models to our 3D designer and he put them into the game.
Below there is a PDF document showing the other planets I created. In order these are; Jupiter, the Moon, Neptune, Pluto, Saturn and Uranus. I only created a few of the planets as another member of my group created the others.
As well as creating the planets I also created a 2D Cad diagram showing the earths layers, a few logo ideas and a few poster ideas. I was unable to attend the end of semester show due to personal reasons, so I am unsure if they where used- but during our practice show class members did seem to like them. Below is another PDF showing the other documents I created. The last page of the PDF shows the layers I used in CAD to make the 2D earth model.
We were put into groups and given a range of different target audiences. These ranged from technophobes to school children. My group settled on school children as we felt that as a group we resonated more with them than any of the other groups.
The next task was to decide what our topic was going to be. We went through different ideas such as a historic game based in Winchester, and a photo booth, but none of them felt right. In the end we decided on a VR game that showed students the solar system and earth’s natural disasters.
The main premise was that the user would put on a VR headset and be able to look around and see the solar system. Then once you zoom in on earth the user can do movements to create effects. Effects such as stamping on a specific button to create an earthquake. Once the user stamps the program would show the layers of the earth and how they move in an earthquake.
Below is the original timeline that I drew to outline our idea.
We decided on attempting to use VR and Wii controllers originally to create the game, but we ended up using a computer screen and Wii controllers. This was due to our group not having a developer. Our 3D designer tried to code to the best of his ability, but as it is not his speciality we resulted in going for something a little simpler that would allow us to finish it in time for the show.
We had settled on a low-poly design type as it resonates well with children as its not too complicated. My job within the group was to create 3D planets in this low-poly style.
Originally, I attempted to use CAD to make mesh models of the planets; but as I started to attempt to make them it didn’t go well. As you can see in the image below the planets look clunky and just a bit too square for them to look anything like low-poly. I also experimented in a program called Mesh Mixer. Mesh Mixer is a simplified 3D program aimed for children to create models. It worked well and quick, but when it came to merging models or colouring them it became exceptionally difficult. You can see one of my attempted models below. I decided to switch up the program and learn how to use Maya.
Above, Earth Created in CAD. Below is the model created in Mesh Mixer.
Maya is another Autodesk program that many 3D designers use to make models. It has many more functions and style types than CAD when it comes to 3D work. Therefore, I thought it would be the best call for action.
I watched multiple YouTube Tutorials to try to help me create the model. One by ‘CG Tutorials’ really helped me create the bases for my earth as well as all of the different earth models I ended up creating. You can see this tutorial below.
After using this tutorial this is the earth I ended up creating.
It combined multiple spheres in different colours placed inside of one another to create the different land masses. As this was the first thing I ever managed to create in Maya I am extremely proud of it. You can easily tell it is the earth which was my main goal. I sent my models to our 3D designer and he put them into the game.
Below there is a PDF document showing the other planets I created. In order these are; Jupiter, the Moon, Neptune, Pluto, Saturn and Uranus. I only created a few of the planets as another member of my group created the others.
As well as creating the planets I also created a 2D Cad diagram showing the earths layers, a few logo ideas and a few poster ideas. I was unable to attend the end of semester show due to personal reasons, so I am unsure if they where used- but during our practice show class members did seem to like them. Below is another PDF showing the other documents I created. The last page of the PDF shows the layers I used in CAD to make the 2D earth model.
Other Projects
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