modeling

Browser-Based 3D Modeling with Tinkercad

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.

Continue Reading September 25th, 2011July 2nd, 2015 Chris Connors10

Turning a Tamiya Solar Car into a Steampunky Train

I was taken by your Tamiya nomination for The Makeys, as I had a ball making something quite different from one of their kits. I was driving to a hobby shop (no surprise there!) at lunch one day. When I pulled into the parking lot of the strip mall, I saw what looked to be an electric bug making large and speedy circles on the asphalt.

Continue Reading August 4th, 2011 Gareth Branwyn4

How-To: Scratchbuilt Hoth Laser Turret

It’s not a blow-by-blow tutorial, but these two posts from professional modeler Michael Fichtenmayer give a great general overview of his process for building these cool “DF.9 Anti Infantry Batteries” from the “Star Wars” universe from styrene stock and Bondo.

Continue Reading August 1st, 2011 Sean Michael Ragan

Faux Molten Lava/Metal Effects

Another day, another awesome project email from Craig Smith. Craig wrote in to share with us some details about the faux molten lava effect he achieved on his Mustafarian Panning Droid he showed off at the Celebration IV Star Wars convention.

Continue Reading June 30th, 2011 Gareth Branwyn

Steampunk Mr. Potato Head!

I knew this was going to happen? Steampunk Mr. Potato Head

Continue Reading September 2nd, 2010 Gareth Branwyn2

Alt.CES: Life-sized R/C VW Bug

Francisco Fondi, of Hobby Media, sent us news of this wonderful project, by some German mechanics who call themselves The Bug Box. They’re building a life-size replica of the Tamiya R/C Scorcher, released 30 years ago. The original R/C VW Bug model was 1/10th and is probably the bestselling (and one of the most beloved) […]

Continue Reading January 11th, 2010 Gareth Branwyn4

DIY rotomolding machine

Product Design students Andrew Duffy, Craig Tyler and Edward Harrison built this cordless drill powered table top rotational molding machine in order to learn more about the process.

Continue Reading August 7th, 2009 Adam Flaherty2