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Digital bodies

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2nd Challenge - BODY

Throughout history, the human body has been the canvas for the creation of masterpieces. Today, designers have evolved over time, and so have their tools. That is why, in this phase, we will explore how we can use tools capable of scanning, rendering, and modifying the human figure. In order to develop new ways of creating and responding to needs.

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Brainstorming

I began with a simple brainstorm. At first, I imagined sculptural figures, but my industrial side kept pulling me toward something functional and adaptable. Then, during the lecture, Anastasia shared ideas along the same lines, and that gave me confidence: I wanted to make mine mannequin adjustable. Especially since I want my final project to be a costume for myself, so a mannequin could be ideal.

I sketched shapes that could be broken into parts, though not all felt right. Functionality had to lead the way. Then I looked at adjustable mannequins, studying where changes were needed: waist, hips, torso, neck. Thinking ahead to future adjustments, I realized straight cuts were the best way to divide the silhouette.

Process and workflow

1. Fieldwork




I watched videos to see how one worked: its standard measurements, how far it could expand at the waist, hips, and bust. Still, the questions lingered.

So I visited an adjustable mannequin in person. I opened it, turned the knobs, handled it myself. That was exactly what I needed: to feel it, to understand it fully, and to see how I could design my own adjustments.




2. Modeling

First Model

  1. I downloaded an STL model of the human body.

  2. I imported it into Rhino and used the Mesh to NURBS tool.

  3. I deleted the mesh and kept the surface.

  4. I added a division for my mannequin.

  5. Using the Wirecut tool, I can make a cut along the line I drew, and the cut will be solid.

  6. Once divided, I exported it as an STL file

  7. And imported it into Slicer for Fusion

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3. Skecthes

I met with one of my advisors Mar and showed my file in Slicer. That moment gave me a clearer idea of the mechanisms my model needed. We bounced ideas back and forth, refining the concept until it started to make real sense.



4. Printing

Excited by the progress, I began modeling the 3D pieces in Rhino. The first design had too many spikes, and we needed a shape that wouldn’t require supports. It evolved into a piece that could be printed as two separate objects.

So we printed the next version:

  1. Open Ultimaker Cura.

  2. Select filament type (PLA).

  3. Set speed to 100 and nozzle temperature to 200 °C.

  4. Save G‑code to the micro SD card.

  5. Insert it into the ENDER S1 Pro printer.

  6. Print.

When I saw the printed pieces, I realized it was easier to work with just one spike.
So I printed again, this time using wood filament.

This adjustment made the assembly smoother, and the wood filament gave the piece a warmer, more natural finish.

Settings for wood filament

  • Settings for wood filament
  • Nozzle temperature: 220 °C

Scan Practices

I began with quick scans in Polycam. It worked well for a hand, but despite several tries—arms raised, standing on higher surfaces—we couldn’t capture a full body.
Later, with Creality, I scanned part of my teammate’s face. Unfortunately, when it was my turn, the scan tripled me.

Creative Note

Slicer for Fusion

This digital tool transforms 3D models into flat, two‑dimensional patterns for physical fabrication.

Workflow

  1. Prepare the STL file.
  2. Go to Import > Manufacturing Settings and add your material dimensions.
  3. I used cardboard, 5 mm thick.
  4. Under Units, set the correct measurements for your model.
  5. I considered only the height: 59.2 cm.
  6. Select Technique — here you can explore different options and experiment with how the model is divided.

To solve this, I used MakeHuman. I measured myself and entered the exact values in Modeling > Measures, where it even shows how to take each measurement. Then I exported the STL file.

Design Decisions

I noticed each division needed adjustments. So I created a new design: cuts across length and width, split into three sections—12 parts in total.
After dividing, I offset each piece by 1 mm so the slicer in Fusion could recognize the separations, and then exported everything to STL.

2.1 Quick how-tos

remove chapter 2.1 after use

Uploading images

  1. Remember to credit/reference all your images to their authors. Open source helps us create change faster together, but we all deserve recognition for what we make, design, think, develop. Use the caption and reference system examples you see in the template.

  2. Resize and optimize all your images. Images are optimised in size with resolution 72dpi, a good max width for full screen is 800px and passed through tinypng for final optimisation.

  3. Remove tips when you don't need them anymore!

How-to use footnotes for references or fabrication files

  1. Fabrication files are a necessary element for evaluation. You can add the fabrication files at the bottom of the page and link them as a footnote. This was your work stays organised and files will be all together at the bottom of the page. Footnotes are created using 1 (without spaces, as shown in Step 1 & 2, and referenced as you see at the bottom of this page) You can reference the fabrication files to multiple places on your page.

  2. Referenced footnotes are important for crediting work of others, within your documentation.

  3. If you are using footnotes for both, make sure to not mix them up, work with the numbering to keep things organised

How-to compress a PDF BEFORE uploading it:

Use a compressor when uploading a PDF, you can use online tools such as ilovepdf or smallpdf

How-to encode a VIDEO BEFORE uploading it:

Use a video encoder when uploading a video it needs to be well compressed, you can download tools such as Handbrake or online tools such as this Video Converter

How-to ZIP/compress a large Fabrication file:

To zip a file on Windows, right-click the file or folder, select "Show more options," choose "Send to," then "Compressed (zipped) folder." watch On a Mac, select the file or folder and choose "Compress" from the context menu. watch

get inspired!

Check out and research alumni pages to betetr understand how to document and get inspired

Add your fav alumni's pages as references

describe what you see in this image, see code to adjust width and alignment

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua."

describe what you see in this image

centered image with credits/reference

Caption for the left image

Caption for the right image

Unable to display PDF file. Download instead.
  • Video references: Vimeo (only when not yours)
  • Video references: Youtube (only when not yours)

3. Tools

4. Process and workflow

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describe what you see in this image

How-to use footnotes for fabrication files

Fabrication files are a necessary element for evaluation. You can add the fabrication files at the bottom of the page and link them as a footnote. This was your work stays organised and files will be all together at the bottom of the page. Footnotes are created using 1 (without spaces, as shown in Step 1 & 2, and referenced as you see at the bottom of this page) You can reference the fabrication files to multiple places on your page.

4.1 Step 1

This model 3 was obtained by.. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.

4.2 Step 2

The laser cut nesting 2 was created using.. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.

4.3 Step 3

...

5. Results

Results & documentation
  • Don’t forget to document the outcome including:
  • Final result
  • Photos from different stages
  • Videos of movement or interaction, show how a material moves, something was assembled or the interaction
  • Include measurements or a reference object to give a sense of scale
  • Describe the (material) properties of what you made
  • Comparison between attempts, if you did multiple experiments or generated multiple files before fabricating / deploying. You can use a table as shown in week 4

5.1 3D Models

upload DOWNLOADABLE 3d models of your files such as MakeHuman, Final 3d modelled body, 3D Scans, etc. Make sure to make them DOWNLOADABLE.

Lines_3D by szjohnson on Sketchfab

6. Weekly reflection & critical thinking

  • What did I learn? What did I personally find interesting or surprised me?
  • What would I do differently? If something "failed" do I know how else to tackle it now?"
  • How does this connect to my final project or my learning trajectory?
  • What are implications and possible applications, think also from the ethical or environmental aspect, how it could connect to your practice and project?

NuEval — final step

Go to NuEval and fill in the checklist, when not complete notify your instructor.

7. Fabrication files & References

  1. File: 3d modelling of mannequin ↩↩

  2. File: Laser cut sheets ↩

  3. Reference: Author; Title; Source; year ↩