2. Digital bodies¶
Research & Ideation¶
I’m on waves, out being tossed
The human body itself is a work of art, capable of expressing a wide range of emotions. When we engage with water — whether swimming, dancing, or simply enjoying its presence —we connect with its rhythm. Our movements can mirror the fluidity of water, highlighting both strength and grace.
This inspired me to create a sculpture that merges the essence of the human face with the ever-changing nature of water.
In my mind's eye, I envisioned a face where features meld into swirling currents and droplets, capturing the idea that we, too, are shaped by our environment. Each curve and line of the face would reflect the movement of water, symbolizing the connection of humanity and nature. Just as water adapts and flows, so too do our emotions and experiences.
Tomoko Kashiki
This week I was inspired by the work of the Japanese artist Tomoko Kashiki.
Tools¶
Laser Cutting¶
Preparation¶
During this week we have learned hot to use the Laser Cutter. Here in the BDC we have a FRAMUN Laser Cutter which they call Martha. For the use of this machine we have to understand all the security rules clearly since it is very dangerous. Our instructors gave us some instructions on how to work with it and how to prepare it.
Understanding the parameters¶
Using Rhinoceros we made our personal card. We designed it and made few changes to make it simple and clear for the laser cutting process. Since we used some bioplastics that ere already made, we first tried to get with the perfect parameters. Our instructor here had made several trials so we could learn how to get it right. With those parameters set it was our time to try.
In my case I wanted my personal card to have every possibilty the Laser Cutter has to offer. Here we can see the first design.
I tried changing the parameters until I got the perfect sample, which didn´t work out because of the material we were working with.
- 1: The holes made were too close so the card ended up tearing apart + the size of the card was too small
- 2: The parameter for the line engraving was softer here and the result was better + the engraving could be seen
- 3: Changed the information so the name could be seen
- 4: Was cleaned under water and the engraving dissapeared + the cutting left no residue
- 5: The material was too thin + engraving didn´t work
- 6: The engraving burnt the material + cutting wasn´t succesful
Make Human¶
With this program you can create your own avatar and play with the human body. You can change everything you can imagine from the weight and eye color to even the shape of the eyebrows. For working with MakeHuman my best advice is to just start working on it and touchinf every parameter. This way you can get to know hot to really alter your avatar.
Here you can find a video I made on how I worked on MakeHuman to create my first avatar.
Rhinoceros¶
Learning how to use Rhinoceros is one of the most important things for this week's assignment and it is also one of the most challenging one. To learn to use Rhinoceros you have to have a lot of patience and try to do everything step by step. This programs works via commands so here are some of the useful ones I have been using.
- Importing an obejct: When you import a 3D model, an avatar made in MakeHuman for example, you have to edit in order to work with it.
Reduce Mesh = 500
Mesh To Nurbs
Select Polysurfaces
Erase Mesh
- Trimming and editing your object: If you want to, for example, cut off a leg off your avatar you will need to create a box. This box needs to be placed taking it to account all of the perspectives so the leg is placed inside. Once you have done that, you need to cut it. Use the next commands.
MeshTrim
Select box to cut with
Select leg to cut it
Erase box
- Boolean: This commands are very helpful if you want two or more obejcts to interact with each other. With the "Boolean2 commands you can create one object out of two, split them and much more.
Boolean Union
Boolean Difference
Boolean Intersection
Boolean Split
Tests¶
- Avatar made on MakeHuman with tulip downloaded from 3D artist
For this test I tried combining two different objects. I created an avatar with the MakeHuman platform and I imported it on Rhinoceros. I cut the avatar to work only with the upper body and i attached it to the tulip.
- Made with Clo3D to understand how to work with the human body
- Avatar made on MakeHuman with water splash downloaded from 3D artist
For this test I wanted to make a mini version of the 3D model so I cut test the slicer and the laser cutter. With what I had learnt from the previous test I was able to create this new object. Later on, I imported it on slicer and created my new version of it. I laser cut it and assembled it.
- Step 1: Working with Slicer and finding the best laser cutting assemble
- Step 2: Working on RDWorks and making sure all pieces are perfect to cut + setting the parameters
- Step 3: Downloading the document onto the Laser Cutter + preparing the material and machine
- Step 4: Laser cutting succesfully done
- Step 5: Making sure all pieces were cut correctly
- Step 6: Assembling the human body, step by step
- Step 7: Assembling the water splash with glue
- Step 8: All parts are finally ready to be glued together
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Final result: Happy with the first test
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Tips: The engraving could be done with less power so it isn´t seen on the final product + working with such thick cardboard makes the proportions off
Material: Carboard
Thickness: 4 mm
CUT
Speed: 70
Min. power: 50
Max. power: 53
ENGRAVE
Speed: 800
Min. power: 10
Max. power: 13
Final project¶
For this weeks assignment I wanted to scan my face and transform it so it could portrayed like one of the illustrations of Takomo Kashiki. I was inspired by the water and the wind and I wanted to make myself be carried by one of those. To axhieve that goal I sacnned my face and transform it using Rhinoceros.
Scanning¶
For the scanning part we learned to use a HandyScan3D. We tried working with different elements to get to know how the machine works. And then it was finally time to test it on ourselves.
Working in Rhinoceros¶
Once I had my 3D object thanks to the HandyScan3D it was time to edit it. I imported it on Rhinoceros and started working on it.
Used comands
Reduce Mesh = 500
Mesh To Nurbs
Select Polysurfaces
Erase Mesh
After that, I started playing with some other tools that could help me achieve the effect I wanted for that I used the: BEND TOOL.
Slicer¶
When I had my 3D object ready to cut it was time to edit it on Slicer. I used this tool to transform my digital obejct into a real object. The method I liked the most was the Stacked Slices, since it is the one method with the most details. For the object to be perfect I had to erase some of the first pieces, the ones at the bottom.
Laser cutting¶
Thanks to the Slicer I had allt the patterns necessary to start the laser cutting process. I first edited the sheets on Rhinoceros so I wouldn't waste a lot of material.
Material: Plywood
Thickness: 3 mm
CUT
Speed: 35
Min. power: 68
Max. power: 72
ENGRAVE
Speed: 800
Min. power: 10
Max. power: 13
The RDWorks program was having several problems importing the pattern documents correctly. I needed some help so I contacted Anastasia via Mattermost. She gave me the perfect solution. My patterns had to be turned i n to 2D for the program to read it easily.
Used comands
Make2D = select patterns = perspective top
Erase other patterns
Join new patterns
Select new patterns
Export selected
DXF = Polylines