Week 3- Modeling Reading

Modeling

Our selected reading for this assignment included "Building 3D Worlds – 3D Geometric Graphics I". The Computer in The Visual Arts by Anne Spalter, Addison Wesley Longman Inc. 1999, pp 212-253 and “On Geometric Modeling”. Excerpt from “Modeling”, Architecture’s New Media by Yehuda Kalay, The MIT Press, 2004, pp 141-147.

Exercise A

Summary:

The Spalter chapter shows the concept of what 3D graphics are and how they are created.  In Kalay’s writing, it was nice to have a basic description of the three categories of models: the wire frame, surface, and solid models.  The wire frame is aware of only edges or boundaries of the object. The surface model can show greater relationship in space with other objects, but lacks advanced information. The solid model is the form most used today in architecture and design. The importance of 3D modeling is its ability to rapidly adjust and change objects which allows for designers to make more detailed and accurate designs with easier exploration. Volumetric sculpting using voxel-based models was news to me and creates interesting results. The Spalter text was written prior to a standard computer's ability to truly utilize this method, but our current computing power can utilize this as a powerful organic production tool. A good website I found that shows a little more on this topic is http://www.3d-coat.com/voxel-sculpting/.  This shows some of the modern abilities of this method in comparison to traditional 3D modeling. 

Starting from the basics with Spalter:  the primitives are the basic building blocks, sweeps are the 3D form of a profile, and Boolean operations use the addition or subtraction of objects to create more complex and also more organic shapes than by simple addition or subtraction.  This being said it has been a process of exploration for me in the past to try and figure out what way to approach a new object. I will show examples of these methods in the second part of this exercise. These and the following topics are all topics that I have just been learning about in the 3Ds max tutorials, especially those done by TheNewBoston on YouTube.

Wow, do I wish I knew about hierarchy, which allows for objects to be grouped with a parent/child relationship that creates parameters for modification that can be helpful with larger multi-object designs.

The main thing that I want to discuss is about the section on fractals. This is a part of biophilic design (the human affinity for nature) that I have been researching and is a “geometric way to express seemingly irregular ‘non-geometric-looking’ forms such as trees, coastlines, and clouds by noticing that they exhibit, at many levels of detail, patterns of self-similarity”(Spalter, 1999, p. 240).  The author continues on to say that “rigorous, infinite self-similarity is required for a true fractal, but with computer graphics a few rounds, or iterations, of substantially self-similar forms can create a variety of realistic-looking plants or trees”(Spalter, 1999, p. 241). There are also grammers and graftals.  Graftals are the combination of the fractal and a graph and also new to me.  An interesting idea for more organic looking objects.

Contextualize: The ability to utilize this information has greater effect now on me than it would have previously. The last semester I spent working with 3Ds max to create objects and animations which allowed for a backdrop as to why this is important to interior design. Designers can utilize programs such as Autodesk 3DsMax to create specific objects or interior spaces that we are able to see inside and around and subsequently modify in ways that we are not able to while using other media. The general ability to create more realistic presentation views for clients is also an advantage in communicating designs. The amazing diverse ways which you can use 3D as a tool throughout the design process can create designs that otherwise would not be created.

Argument: This topic has been a big part of my life last fall and I believe the 3D tool is one that will only become greater relied upon. There is also an exciting artistic and expressive side, especially with the utilization of fractals that can be explored to further positively express biophilic design in the interior. This tool can continue to positively impact interior design in the future, but the importance of adding biophilic features into the equation allows for the creation designs that are not inherently dead and unsupportive of the human for whom it is designed.

Evidence: The fractal design component discussed above is similarly defined as “complex geometric shapes that appear to repeat at finer scales; such shapes are often found in nature and can be defined mathematically.  Wise believes that the beneficial psychological effects of fractals have the same evolutionary basis as other aspects of Biophilia…” (Kellert, Heerwagen, & Mador, 2008, p. 332).  Thus the powerful proven impact of nature to heal that was found by Ulrich’s in “View through a window may influence recovery from surgery” could be further researched to include the fractal’s power (Ulrich, 1984). The noted listing of “The Poetics of Space” as suggested readings at the end of this chapter is also applicable as it relates to exploring the ideas and spaces of the imagination and home, which can be created within the 3D realm in ways that we are unable to otherwise. In summation, we will be brought forward by tapping into our imagination and using 3D tools to help us explore nature and ourselves. I end with the following quote. “By the swiftness of its actions, the imagination separates us from the past as well as from reality; it faces the future”(Bachelard, 1994).

Assignment #2
Model of a pen using the following methods

Pen using methods #1-4

Pens method #5

1. primitives - the basic shape for the tip, main shaft of the pen, and the initial shape of the eraser are all made from standard primitive shapes

2. sweeps - the clip is made with a line outlining the shape and then extruded

3. boolean operations - the finger indents are made with a sphere intersecting the center cylinder and then the volume that is intersecting with each other is removed

4. ‘digital clay’ approach - the eraser is converted to an editable mesh and then some of the vertices are pulled to customize the shape

5. other means - master-instance was used to make identical copies of the pen and then the image adjusted to focus on the eraser end

Re-design extreme competition

Competition initial progress

I am working on designing a new way of using marker boards for product and idea development in commercial applications. I found a need in the market when trying to develop a solution to the ideation process for a hardware engineering company. There are different types of standard marker boards available. The most commonly used include panel mounted, wall mounted, and easel mounted. Each of these require you to have to leave behind all of the information discussed, for example the conference room, except for the easel which is too large to keep in most workstations. Current electronic solutions to this are available, but I have found that the standard white board is still more commonly used. 

I propose that if you had the portability of the newer light weight marker boards, you could keep the written visual ideation that had been worked on and this would be preserved to be moved from ideation room to station and back again. My design is a universal "clip" that hangs atop of standard panel systems, while also hanging from a small wall L-bracket. The clips are compression fit into a marker board hanging bracket and can be similarly removed.
Deliverables will include a 3ds max representation, maybe more...

Competition progress update

Initial design of clip



Initial design within workstation



Revised statement:



I am providing greater portability for items like marker boards. I found this need when trying to develop a solution for ideation at an engineering company. I propose that with the portability of light weight marker boards, you can keep the visual memory of the ideation that had been worked on and move it from ideation room to station, etc. The standard marker boards most commonly used requires you to leave behind the information explored, for example in the conference room. The one exception is the easel, but this is too large to keep in most workstations. Current electronic solutions to this are available, but I have found that the standard white board is still much more commonly used.  My design is a universal "clip" that hangs atop of standard panel systems and can be flipped over to hang from a standard wall U-bracket. The second part is a thin rectangular piece that gets commercial double stick tape to attach it to the top of the marker board frame if needed to give it a hanging support ridge. Additionally, you can hang wire hangers from the clip, like pictures, cork boards, etc. Can be made for 2" or 3" panels.



The initial design was made to pressure fit around the marker board and panel. The design was then revised to add a second piece that gets attached to the top of the marker board and allowed for a smaller design. The resulting design was more streamlined and inconspicuous.

Re-designed clip

Competition final

"The Learning Accessory"

video

Description: I found a need for portability for items, like marker boards, when designing commercial offices.  The need was to retain the visual memory of ideas generated during brainstorming sessions in the conference rooms and then move this information near to the workstations. The standard marker board requires you to leave behind the information and the visual memory.  A marker board easel can be moved but is too large for use with most workstations. Electronic solutions are available, but standard white boards are more common.  The proposed design consists of two parts: a) a universal "clip" that pressure fits over top of standard panel systems and can also be flipped to hang from a standard wall U-channel bracket, (b) a rectangular L-shaped piece that gets attached via screws or adhesive to the top of the marker board frame to form a hanging support ridge that inserts into the clip. Additionally, the clip is multi-purpose and can hang numerous other items and also support wire hangers for use with pictures, cork boards, etc. The clips and the support ridge would work with either a 2" or 3" workstation panel and are made of either plastic or metal for the home or office.

View of both parts ready for wall hung application-
just mount support bracket to markerboard.



Panel mounted application

Renderings showing examples of dual use



Wall mounted section detail




Panel mounted detail

 

Final design highlighting portability with the use of
"The Learning Accessory."



Advanced Computer-Aided Design and Research Seminar Project Ideas

Research project ideas

There are three ideas I am exploring for the main research project of iar 560:

Topic idea #1 for iar560 is to develop an online interactive learning tool to teach biophilic principles showing a building designed in Revit that the user can progress through to elucidate important biophilic learning points.  It would be designed to cater to adolescents and adults. The targeted user group of adolescence (ages thirteen to seventeen) is especially critical as it is a time within their development that can foster an environmentally sensitive mind.  The major development points that the program will be focused on include ecological, moralistic, and naturalistic perspectives of the natural and built world (Kellert, 2005, p. 79)

Topic idea #2 is to explore using Revit and 3ds max incorporating their new plug-in that allows daylight, lighting, and other calculations in order to maximize the environmental aspects of the building. The ability to locate the building in a specific location and position it on the site in order to maximize the energy efficiency of the building is part of this new tool that allow for upfront easier justification for energy efficient initiatives. The success of this program combination will be assessed for its inherent strength and weakness. The development of such tools will further the “green” building initiative.

Topic idea #3 is to develop a website devoted to biophilic architecture. The six elements represented will include environmental features, natural shapes and forms, natural patterns and processes, light and space, place-based relationships, and human-nature relationships.  The seventy attributes within the elements will be represented and described with illustrations to provide extensive project documentation. The purpose of this idea is to stimulate the design community with a wealth of ideas and information in a convenient one-stop online location. The addition of supplementary research and news worthy case studies can additionally highlight what is happening around the world in biophilic design.