2. Digital bodies¶
Research & Ideation¶
I started my project by searching for interesting examples, particularly looking for works by artists from around the world. My goal was to explore diverse approaches and gain inspiration from different perspectives. After conducting thorough research, I’ve gathered a few notable examples that really stood out. These works helped me understand the possibilities and techniques that could be applied to my own project, and they opened up new creative directions I hadn’t considered before.
After this, I began brainstorming ideas for what I want to do next. During my research, I came across some really interesting examples involving plants.
All the examples are from Etsy.
Besides that, I also needed to think about the structure of the 3D body.
Tools¶
Process and workflow¶
Learning about lasers and how they operate¶
Before starting work on the 3D body structures, we first focused on learning about lasers and how they operate. To get a better understanding, we opened CorelDRAW and decided to create a test piece. Since the materials for the project would need to be connected using joints, we started by designing a trial with different joint thicknesses to figure out the ideal one for our material.
We chose to work with cardboard and plywood for the initial tests. The first step was to measure the thickness of each material, as this would determine the size of the joints. Based on these measurements, we experimented with different joint thicknesses to see which would result in the best fit for assembly.
We created multiple versions with varying thicknesses and labeled them with their specific dimensions. To prevent the laser from cutting through the numbers showing the thickness, we changed their color, ensuring they wouldn’t be part of the cutting process.
This trial was crucial for understanding how materials of different thicknesses respond to laser cutting, and it allowed us to refine the joints for better assembly in the final design. The testing phase was all about making sure the joints fit snugly and securely, providing the necessary stability for constructing more complex structures in the future.
- the best size for the cardboard is 3.80
- the best size for the plywood is 3.10
3D scan process¶
As the first step in the process, I asked a friend to help me by making a 3D scan using the Kiri software. We decided to scan me while I was sitting upright, and we carefully followed the scanning procedure. The Kiri program works through three phases of scanning, and we successfully completed all three steps.
Body scan in Blender¶
Once we finished the scan, I loaded the file into Blender to view the model. Seeing the result was really exciting—it was a full 3D representation of the body scan, and it gave me a much better idea of how I could use this digital model in my future work. This initial experiment not only helped me familiarize myself with the scanning process but also allowed me to think more creatively about how I can manipulate these 3D models in my project.
MakeHuman¶
Along with the 3D scan, I wanted to explore creating digital bodies, so I decided to try the MakeHuman program. After installing it, I started experimenting with different body shapes and features. The software offers a lot of customization, which helped me adjust the models to fit my design ideas.
Sketching the idea¶
As I mentioned earlier, I wanted to create a digital body that connects with nature. At home, I had an interesting planter with a human face, and this sparked an idea. I really wanted to combine these two elements, blending the human form with nature in a unique way. To start, I made a quick sketch to visualize how I imagine this concept coming together.
Boolean tool¶
I used the Boolean tool in Blender to cut the human body model as part of my design process. This tool allowed me to combine or subtract shapes from the body, helping me achieve the exact form I wanted.
Slicer for Fusion¶
After finishing the adjustments in Blender, I uploaded the final object into Slicer for Fusion and began experimenting with different slicing options. This step allowed me to explore various ways to break down the model into layers, helping me visualize how the structure would be assembled in physical form.
Work in Illustrator¶
Once I had the plans for the slices, I opened them in Illustrator. I worked on arranging the slices in a way that would save as much space as possible on the cardboard, maximizing the efficiency of the material. This step was really important for minimizing waste and ensuring that the layout was optimal for cutting.
Laser cut¶
After finalizing the layout, it was time to cut all the layers using the laser. Once the cutting was done, I had a bunch of slices ready. The next step was assembling them together, which was really exciting because it started to bring my design to life. Each slice fit into place, and seeing the structure take shape was a rewarding part of the process.
Overcoming assembly challenges¶
I ran into some difficulties during assembly because I had initially made the holes too small, which made it really hard to put the structure together. It was frustrating at first, but after several attempts, things slowly started to come together. Each try taught me more about how to improve the connections, and with patience, I was finally able to make progress.
And finally, after all the effort, I managed to complete the structure and placed the planter on it. Seeing the final piece come together was really satisfying, as it combined both the human form and the natural element I envisioned from the start. It was a challenging process, but the result was worth it!
