CADmanship
2020
Graduation project
Guidance: Eran Lederman
3D modeling tool
The project explores the process of creating in the digital medium and presents a unique physical interface that enables intuitive sculpting of complex surfaces. CADmanship aims to be a tool that translates the mental intention and physical action of creators, designers, architects, artists, and craftsmen to the digital realm. The project's process is divided into three parts:
Part A - Prototypes
Prototype 1.0
5 links that control the curve with 4 potentiometers between each link. The links are mounted on a slider (linear potentiometer).
Manipulating the curve changes the revolve profile and moving the slider changes the distance from the center.
Prototype 1.1
A pivot (rotary encoder) was added which makes it possible to control the amount of the revolve.
Prototype 1.2 - Loft
A shift in the software interface.
Instead of a revolve, the tool controls a curve and makes it possible to loft a surface between each curve, and the one after it. Each curve is captured by the added button and controlled by moving the links, the same way as before.
At that point I tried to "sketch" chairs with the tool. I understood during the process that the tool creates a specific aesthetic language. At the same time I was wondering what other creators will do with the tool.
Part A - Prototype 2
Prototype 2
Prototype 1 worked well but was too fragile. In order to test the tool without worrying that it will remain intact, I built a more rigid prototype.
Around the same time I understood that it will be very helpful to be able to navigate with the tool in the 3D space.
Another button was added, which makes it possible to switch to navigation mode. In navigation mode, when rotating the pivot, the camera rotate around the center and by moving the slider back and forth the camera tilt up and down.
Part B - Collaboration with creators
Amnon Grunfeld - 3D artist
Amnon has experience with various 3D tools, which makes it a soft start. I wondered how the tool will influence Amnon's model and what animation he will make out of it.
Bat El Hirsh - Industrial design student (classmate) at Bezalel academy.
Bat El was developing 3D ceramic objects for her graduation project.
During the search to develop the form aesthetics of her graduation project, she asked me to try the tool.
Eventually, Bat El didn't use the specific form that she created using the tool but this experience broadened her horizons about the shapes that she is able to 3D print using the ceramic 3D printer
Ella Fischer Leventon - Student at the glass and ceramic department at Bezalel academy.
I asked Ella to include the tool in the glass blowing process.
Ella created 2 objects, 3D printed them, made a mold out of them and blown glass into the molds - The whole process is shown in the video.
Shalom Schwartz - In charge of the industrial design department workshops at Bezalel academy.
Shalom and I were thinking how this tool can be used in the process of a craftsman and chose to create this mushroom as a test case.
In this process Shalom is woodturning the mushroom base, than designing the head using the tool and cnc milling it using a robotic arm - The whole process is shown in the video.
Yarden Givoni - Visual communication department graduate at Holon Institute of Technology.
I showed Yarden the tool while developing it and she thought it could be interesting to use it to make Hebrew calligraphy.
When the prototype was ready, I gave it to Yarden and she created the Hebrew ABC. We found out that the weight of the "font" changed when the letter moved in space because of the perspective view.
Part C - Designed Model
During the collaboration, the participants sought additional capabilities.
This model was designed with their requests in mind.
Copying physical curves
Appropriate dimensions
Adding / removing links
Change the type of surface
Track lock according to drawing