2. Digital Bodies - Memory Lane¶
Concept and Inspiration¶
The human body is mysterious, each one of us has our interpretation of it, what it means, how sacred it is, and how we should treat it.
To me, the human body is a reflection of our souls, our emotions, and the challenges we face. It just interprets our inner selves, the suffering, the love.
It is a canvas that is shaped by our experiences!
Memory Lane is my tribute to visualizing loss—whether it’s the loss of a loved one or the loss of parts of ourselves as we move through life.
When I initially developed Memory Lane, it was meant to be interpreted on fabric. For the Digital Bodies assignment, I chose to express it through the human body We face loss and destruction in ways that our minds cannot fully comprehend, often leaving us with fragmented pieces of our identities.
I wanted to combine the irregular lines from MEMORY LANE into the human body, which will represent the pain, the loss, and the suffering. and how this affects the human canvas!
I took inspiration from Lucio Fontana, who was known for slashing paper in his artwork. I felt an alignment with his approach, so I physically slashed a piece of paper, incorporating the same Memory Lane elements.
The slashes in the project represent the emotional and personal destruction we endure.
Workflow¶
Physical Experimentation:¶
I started by taking a knife and slashing a piece of paper to replicate the emotional fragmentation I wanted to express physically.
The irregularity of the slashes added depth, going beyond simple straight lines and representing the unpredictability of loss.
I took a photo of this paper and used it as the foundation for the project.
Digitalization:¶
I imported the photo into Adobe Illustrator to digitize the slashed pattern. The irregular lines captured the emotional depth and chaos I aimed to represent.
Then I prepared the pattern through digitizing it and creating an image trace. I tranformed the picture into vectors since Rhino only reads vectors
I exported the pattern as an SVG format
3D Body Creation in MakeHuman:¶
MakeHuman is a very intersting interface for customizing the looks of a Human. Its intuitive, slider-based interface allows users to easily customize various aspects of a character's appearance, including gender, age, body proportions, facial features, and even finer details like skin tone and muscle definition. Originally developed for game design, film, and animation.
Using MakeHuman, I created a human body model, adjusting parameters like age, weight, and muscle mass to represent the form I wanted to work with.
I found many interesting tutorials if you'd like to dive deeper into MakeHuman
I exported the model in an OBJ format
3D Modifications in Rhino:¶
I imported the body into Rhino and cut the model to focus on the upper part of the body (head, shoulders, and chest). This was my first time working with 3D software, and I learned essential skills in modifying and manipulating 3D objects.
First, I imported the mesh from MakeHuman into Rhino.
Then, I split the upper part of the body by adding a Plane and used the command Meshsplit.
I then converted the mesh into a NURB using the MeshtoNURB command.
Then I was left with an open Polysurface. so I closed it with the Cap command
I imported my pattern to Rhino
used the Explod command then Join command, then Extrudecrv
to create surfaces for the curves
After that I used boolean difference to subtract the pattern from the body and achieve the slashed body look!
I exported the file as an OBJ format to prapare for slicing.
Preparing for Laser Cutting with Slicer by Fusion¶
I then imported the model as an OBJ into Slicer by Fusion to prepare it for laser cutting, ensuring that the final output would work within the constraints of the laser cutter.
Slicer for Fusion 360 is designed to transform 3D models into 2D cut patterns, making it ideal for laser cutting. This software converts models into interlocking slices, radial slices, or other construction-ready forms, allowing users to assemble them with physical materials like wood, cardboard, or acrylic.
you can experiment with various slice styles, control slice thickness, and set material dimensions, making it a valuable tool for creating physical prototypes or artistic models from digital 3D files.
I found many interesting tutorials if you'd like to dive deeper into Slicer By Fusion 360
Lastly I exported the results as DXF format to prepare for nesting
Last but not least I exported my file as an STL from Rhino and imported into sketchfab to display the 3D model in my documentation
The Cutting Process¶
This was my first experience using a laser cutting machine independently.
I learned about the differences in materials—how thickness, color, and composition impact the cutting process. I also learned how to focus the laser and operate the Trotec laser cutting machine, using its software to prepare my files for engraving and cutting.
Leveling the laser machine
The precision and complexity of working with various materials were challenging but rewarding, especially learning how to optimize space for efficient cutting.
Nesting
I used alot of nesting to optimize space and reduce the waste using Rhino.
Preparing for printing
After the nesting process I prepared the settings for the laser cutting
| Action | Settings |
|---|---|
| Set Print Width | Hairline |
| Cutting | Display and Print Color: Red |
| Marking | Display and Print Color: Yellow |
Cutting
The Laser Cutter Settings while using MDF 4MM
Laser Cutting Settings¶
| Color | Function | Material | Power | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Light Marking | MDF 4mm | 70% | 20 mm/s |
| Red | Cutting Wood | MDF 4mm | 100% | 0.30 mm/s |
Assembly
My pieces where categorized by numbers. and I used wooden sticks to hold the pieces in place while assembling them. I used superglue to stick them together!
The Assembly process was so much fun! it felt like a big puzzle!!
Final Result!¶
Memory lane
3D Scanning¶
The 3D scanning process took me a while to complete—not because it was hard, but because sometimes you just can't get something off your shoulders. That’s exactly how this felt.
The first time I tried 3D scanning was in the lab using The ARTEC 3D scanner. As a first-timer, it was a bit challenging, but also a great learning experience.
I 3D scanned my colleague Dima as part of an experiment to capture human form. You can see the process and result her reel.
KIRI Engine¶
After gaining some confidence, I experimented with other tools like the KIRI Engine app. This app makes 3D scanning incredibly simple. All you need to do is take as many pictures as possible of the subject from different angles. The process is straightforward—capture the photos, let the app process them into a 3D model, then edit and export your final result. It’s an accessible and user-friendly way to create detailed 3D models.
The Flamenco Dancer
For one of my experiments, I wanted to scan something meaningful. That’s when I found a mosaic figurine at home—a flamenco dancer that holds a special place in my heart. My grandmother had gifted it to me from Spain, and it was her last gift to me before she passed away a few months later. To me, this figurine carries her warmth and love, so scanning it felt like preserving a piece of her memory in a tangible, digital form.
Memory Lane
The scan of the figurine didn’t turn out as well as I had hoped, so I decided to experiment further. This time, I used my Memory Lane model, which allowed me to parctice my 3D scanning skills and achieve better results.
Tools¶
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| MakeHuman | For creating the initial 3D body |
| Adobe Illustrator | For digitizing the slashed paper pattern |
| Rhino | For 3D modifications and cutting the body |
| Slicer by Fusion | For preparing the model for laser cutting |