Digital fabrication tools have revolutionized the way designers, engineers, and artisans express their creativity. With the right resources, you can learn to use these powerful instruments in no time! Whether it’s 3D printing or laser cutting that interests you, these articles will provide useful tutorials and inspiration for makers of all levels. Discover how digital fabrication can open up new possibilities so that your craftsmanship is truly extraordinary!
In my last post, I heralded the underrated benefits of analog drawing and why I think it’s the perfect gateway to making. The post was not, however, meant to take anything away from the incredible benefits of computer-aided tools. In fact, after last night’s ShopBot class at TechShop, I have an even higher respect for how amazing computer-based tools can be.
Um. Wow. It’s attributed to MOCPages member PLUM B, and here described by The Brothers Brick: “[F]eatures a clip-fed firing mechanism that shoots rubber bands – perfect for taking out the paper Locust horde. If that’s not enough, the saw blade on the front of the gun is motorized for slice and dice action.”
Adafruit writer and MAKE pal johngineer has prepared and published a 3D model of Captain Picard’s tea cup, based on images found at TREKPROPS.DE. I love the of using “Tea, Earl Grey, hot,” an image so often reached for to illustrate the idea of 3D-printing in general, as a benchmark for the state of the technology…
Make: Live episode 17 features 3D modeling and printing and was live from the MakerBot workshop in Brooklyn, NY. Learn about the software and hardware toolchain for realizing your imagination in 3D objects in this archived episode. In the clip above, MakerBot co-founder Bre Pettis talks about exciting developments in their extruder technology and fields 3D printing questions from the audience.
Tonight! The next episode of Make: Live, our streaming show and tell, is all about 3D modeling and printing. Liz Arum will give us a tour of Tinkercad, Michael Curry shows off his turtle shell racers, and MakerBot CEO Bre Pettis answers your burning 3D printer questions. All that plus a special surprise tonight, don’t miss it!
Join us Wednesday evening for the next episode of Make: Live, our streaming show and tell! Episode 16 is all about 3D modeling and printing.
Back a few years ago, if you wanted to design a 3D object, there were only a few options. Not many of those options were free or easy. TinkerCAD appears to be one of the many new modeling options that promises both free and easy. At World Maker Faire, I had a chance to see the browser-based TinkerCAD in action. It does appear that it is easy to operate, and free, if you can get it to run in the browser on your computer. TinkerCAD requires Windows Vista or OS X 10.6, so that will work on one computer at my house and one in my classroom.
