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2. D I G I T A L _ B O D I E S

I N S P I R A T I O N

Credit - What interests me

_ 1. Kseniya Vashchenko - Interesting Perspective

__ 2. Etienne Jules Marey - Movement Display

___ 3. Stephanie Johnson - Mechanical Movement

____ 4. Burne Hogarth, Dynamic Anatomy - Shapes & Structure

_____ 5. Wallow Nowak, 1968 - Distortion

______ 6. Robert Kretschmer, 1952 'Window and interier display' - Body Parts // Elegant Cut

_ 7. Arman 'Venus with Red Nails' - Concept & Materials

__ 8. Source Unknown - Folded Body & Angels

___ 9. Eric Boyer, Steel Mesh Sculpture - Simplicity and Structure

____ 10. Stephanie Johnson, Body Paint on Mannequin - Line and Geometry

R E S E A R C H

I have always been interested in the human body and incorporated it, in some form in my own work.

For this project, I decided to research the Body + Architecture.
Since the project consists of using cutting edge modern technology. I decided to go back to the earliest reseach I could find:

Ten Books on Architecture by Vitruvius

Vitruvius was a Roman architect and engineer in the 1st century BC. Renowned for his work On Achitecture, it is one of the most important sources of modern knowledge of Roman building, as well as the planning and design of construction ranging from large to small scale.

Vitruvius writes about the symmetrical harmony of the human figure and the similarity of the design for a 'perfect building'.

Extract of Chapter I

_ 1. Vitruvian Man in De architectura by Vitruvius in the illustrated edition by Cesare Cesariano.

__ 2. Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci, dated to c. 1490, is inspired by the writings of Vitruvius.

After reading this, I then began thinking about:

Body and the Box

Natural curves of the human form and geometric shapes

Perfect numbers

Suggested Continued reading:

  • The Seduction of Curves: The Lines of Beauty That Connect Mathematics, Art, and the Nude by Allan McRobie
  • The Nude: A Study in Ideal Form by Kenneth Clark
  • Morpho: Anatomy for Artists by Michel Lauricella
  • Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

I D E A T I O N

1 Full Figure

  • Small size.
  • Movable ? Pieces that pivot at joints and make limbs move.
  • Exquisite Corpse ?

2 Torso

  • Life size.
  • Contraposto, one side stretched, other contracted.
  • Flat pack construction ? Transportable.
  • Fragmented?

3 Head

  • Life size
  • Exaggerated, stubtle or extreme ?
  • Stretched ?
  • Rubin's Vase illusion, opposite.
  • Double Angle/Perspective.
  • Rotate
  • Juxtaposition of human curves with geometric shapes.

S O F T W A R E

P R O C E S S

3 D _ S C A N

We experimented with both Kinect and Sense scanners.

T U T O R I A L S

Kinect Kinect as a 3D Scanner: An Easy Beginner’s Tutorial.

InstructablesEASY Kinect 3D Scanner!

Fabricademy 2022-23 SCAN DEMOS

We used the Sense 1 from 3D Systems. The software 3D Systems is required to accompany the scanner.
Software and Guide available here

Three-dimensional scan of myself. Created using handheld Sense Scanner.

3D Scan of Myself 4

SELF_SCAN by szjohnson on Sketchfab

M A K E _ H U M A N

T U T O R I A L S

Fabricademy 2023-24 - Diane Wakim MakeHuman and Slicer for Fusion 360

Fabricademy 2022-23 - Diane Wakim Make Human

I first created a few different female forms in which had a feeling of movement, elegance and tone.

Originally, I started with a more dynamic pose, as I wanted the figure to have some sort of movement.
The second image is an export of the Texture Map of the models skin, laid out flat which I find most interesting.

Eventually I adjusted the model 1 to what I desired and I exported it as a .stl file and opened it in Rhino.

R H I N O

First things first - GET A MOUSE !

As this was my first time using Rhino, there was a lot of learning along the way!
As well as figuring out why something wouldn't work and finding a solution.

T U T O R I A L S

Fabricademy 2023-24 - (INCLUDES A BIT ON RHINO) MakeHuman and Slicer for Fusion 360

Fabricademy 2021-22 Rhinoceros Basics Part 1

Scale

The model will appear in Rhino lying down. I found it best to first rotate it from ground level (0,0) by 90 degrees.
When standing, the next step is to mesure the height of the model (from ground level again).
Mine meaured around 157 mm. As I wanted it to be roughly life sized, I then *scaled it x10.
157 mm x 10 = 1570 mm.

I then made duplicates so I could play and edit the figure.

Dismantle

I then wanted to separate the head and legs from the body.
I achived this by creating polylines / shapes, such as a sphere and a box.
When I placed these objects exactly on the body where I wanted them to cut, I then used either MeshSplit or MeshBooleanDifference.
I discovered that when you 'cap' (close mesh) it only works on straight cuts, so this did not work on the sphere.
Instead I would 'cap' - close the mesh of the mannequin early on and that contined to keep the mesh closed.

Repare Mesh

I S S U E S

I discovered that the eyes would not stay inside the model and the mouth was hollow. To fix this took some time. I started by joining the eyes, and closing the mesh.
I then made shapes to try and join in the hollow in an effort to fill it.
With this there was leftovers which I had to clean up, and then Mesh from Nurbs Objects (select meshs inside to join.)

Body Modification

I had fun trying to modify the model, for example, dulpicating and merging.
I also discovered the various commands on Rhino, such as 'Twist' 'Bend' & 'Taper'.

Result

3D Head Model 1

HEAD_DIGITAL by szjohnson on Sketchfab

3D Model Modified Body 2

BODY_MODIFY by szjohnson on Sketchfab

S L I C E R

When I was finished with my file in Rhino, I exported it to Slicer Fusion 360.

There are many possibilities, however I decided on Radial Slices with 16 x 16.

NOTE - Add the material size + thickness and select.

  • At this point to also decide the measurement of the slot offset.

  • It is best to do a test first of the slots on the laser cutter.

L A S E R _ C U T

File preparation : It is best to avoid waste and place as many pieces close together as possible.

Machine settings :

  • Layer 1: Cut = Speed 30.0 / Power 45.0

  • Layer 2: Inscribe = Speed 50.0 / Power 20.0

Material type :

3 sheets of cardboard measuring 1150 mm x 950 mm x 3 mm.

Testing :

First test slots and see if it fits. I needed to adjust mine a few times.

The slot offset was 0.5000 which fitted perfectly.

B U I L D

Puting the laser cut 2D pieces 5 together.

I discovered the hard way that following the assembly steps is not always the right thing to do.
It actually worked out better to place each opposite slot in.

R E S U L T

3D M O D E L S

Head Model Sliced 3

HEAD_SLICED by szjohnson on Sketchfab

D E S I G N

Since there are no straight lines in our body, I liked the idea of creating human curves with geometric shapes.

While the design is not necessarily innovative, I think it makes for a good foundation, with much possibility. I decided to go for a straight-forward and geometrical design opposed to something more experimental as I wanted to really understand the process.

C O N C L U S I O N

When looking at my piece I don't think it's finnished. I see more room for further development.
I really like the structure and overall shape.
Potenial to go further:

Cover

I am intrigued by the possibility of making pattern pieces in this shape and creating a fabric cover over it.
I imagine this to be a soft transapart tulle, which will then give the qualities of a "real mannequin".

After this, I feel it would be nice to embroider designs on top.
E.g. skeleton/muscle feautures of the face and neck, making it visually decorative yet education. I like the idea of having technology and making use of machinery, then combing the outcome with handcraft.

Slot

Since there is a square slot in the base, it gives rise to the potenial to slot into a body, or even something else...?

Display / Tool

Since I was a teeny tiny tot I always loved making and collecting hats, and I still do!
It is hard to find head mannequins, especially with an elongated neck, which is why I find this possibility to design and make my own, so exciting!
With this, I plan to use my model to either display, or make use as a tool to drape and design.

F A B R I C A T I O N _ F I L E S

  1. File: 3D Model of Head Available to download ↩↩

  2. File: 3D Model Modified Body Available to download ↩

  3. File: Head Sliced Available to download ↩

  4. File: 3D Scan of Myself Available to download ↩

  5. File 2D Head Sliced DXF ↩