2. Digital bodies¶
Research & Ideation¶
Digital Bodies definition Interpreted from Google AI: Digital approach to anatomy. Computer-based, three-dimensional (3D) modeling and other technologies to create virtual, interactive representations of the human body for educational and research purposes. Data from medical imaging (like CT and MRI scans) can build accurate virtual models for detailed exploration, customization, and dynamic visualization of anatomical structures and functions.
My learning goal: understand what digital bodies means in relationship to my own interest in sculpting and using the human form for conceptual approaches.
I am interested in creating human figures with aspects that cross-over with marine life, including a variety of fish. I want to use sculptural pieces to highight the idea that plastic debris is clogging our oceans, humans are eating the fish that are being inundated with plastic, and together we are becoming what we eat--disposable plastic that is making humanity and teh feeling of living disposable lacking in meaning.
Inspirational Images¶
I start with the Nike of Samothrace, because this sculpture embodies the energy and freedom that is worth striving for in all art and design pieces. I strive for my design projects to embody a sense of freedom and energy.
I have included images of sculptural designs of bodies and animals I find visually interesting. Wired bodies, to me, relate to the digital bodies project as they sculpt form with holes or spaces, lacking full solidity.
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3D Models¶
Creating a Body with Make Human and Manipulating it in Blender¶
I created a muscular male body with Make Human, with the intention of slicing off one of the arms and turning it into a fish.
I brought the body into Blender, and used the cutting tool to slice off one of the figures arms. My neice, Maeve Corcoran. helped me for an entire day to teach me ways to use the software and to help meld the arm and fish into one 3-D sculpture.
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Adding a Fish¶
I scanned a plastic fish sandal (sorry it looks dirty, I got it at Goodwill) using 3D Scanner App on my phone. We have a hand-held scanner at my maker space but I had a lot of trouble finding someone to help me find and use it. I struggled to bring the scans into the software.
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So, instead of using a scanned version I pulled a free fish image off the "Free 3D" website and imported it into Blender. I worked on scaling the arm and the fish to blend them together.
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Combining the Fish and the Arm¶
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Sliced and Patterned for Laser Cutting¶
Utilizing Slicer for Fashion 360, I sliced the fisharm so that it stacked in the lengthwise direction, in 45 pieces. Slicer provides assembly instructions, and they engrave placement lines and numbers onto each piece so you know where to line them up. The pieces go from number 1 on the bottom to the highest number on the top, so I built the piece, out of cardboard, from bottom to top.
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Laser Cutting Materials¶
Material type: 7 sheets of cardboard, 32" x 18" with a thickness of 4mm, cut at the settings of 50% power and 50 mm/s.
The process of file preparation for laser cutting¶
Below are some of the AutoCAD files used, from Slicer, to cut out the stacked fisharm pieces.
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The Cardboard Pieces Put Together¶
Inspiration for Painting the Cardboard Fish¶
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<figcaption> Painting by Janel Cunningham, painting by Eric Carl, cover of FISH: A Visual Journey Through the World of Fish, Sea Shells, Jellyfish, and Turtles, by Mahsa Rakhshani (Author), Sean Roy (Author) </figcaption>
Painting Process
The Final Painted Fisharm¶
Useful YouTube Videos for Blender¶
Here is a good YouTube Tutorial on making a cut in Blender: