If you are in NYC this weekend, take a look at the compelling design for 3D printing classes at 3DEA to choose from. They range in cost and duration — topics ranging from Grasshopper, the new version of Modo, to fundamentals for how to design for 3D printing and incorporate electronics and other elements.
If you read the descriptions carefully you will see that I one of the teachers. I will be offering a talk and workshop to help designers learn about incorporating electronics into their 3D printing projects. I will be offering a sneak preview of the models and resources I have created to help Adafruit’s community create 3D enclosures for the brand new TIMESQUARE DIY watch kit we launched recently.
I will be attending a few of these myself, especially the one held by talented designer Kacie Hultgren (aka “Pretty Small Things”) who will be presenting in the slot before me Sunday morning.
You’ve seen how a 3D printed object looks and feels like. You’ve witnessed a 3D printer in action. Now, learn how to design 3D objects yourself, using industry standard 3D modeling software such as Rhino, Sculptris, SketchUp and more. Meanwhile, you can pin your ears back to listen to various experts like Duann Scott, Kacie Hultgren and Josh Harker, as they offer knowledgeable design tips through demo’s and lectures.
As an added bonus, anyone that signs up for a class will automatically receive a complimentary copy of MAKE Magazine’s Ultimate 3D Printing Guide.
Saturday, Dec 15
Intro to Grasshopper (Ronnie Parsons and Gil Akos, Mode Collective)
Grasshopper is a visual programming platform that offers the possibility to explore parametric and associative designs with unprecedented fluidity. Coupling Grasshopper with the subdivision modeling add-on, Weaverbird, Ronnie Parsons + Gil Akos of Mode Collective will introduce participants to the proper techniques and workflows for designing smooth and continuous forms for 3D printing.
In preparation for this intermediate level workshop, participants are encouraged to review this free Introduction to Grasshopper course: http://modelab.nu/?p=7541.
A pc laptop with Rhino and Grasshopper plugin is required for this class.
- 10am – 1pm
- $160 for the 4 hour intensive
Intro to 3D Modeling for the Sculptor – Sketchup and Sculptris (Erik Guzman)
Learn the amazing world of 3D from the ground up with great easy-to-use programs, SketchUp and Sculptris. Both are free programs that complement each other well. SketchUp is the most widely known free 3D modeling software with the largest repository of models online from which to derive. It is a great modeling program for visualizing architectural and scaled interiors. It provides a metaphoric translation into how real space is represented by virtual logic.
Sculptris simulates volumes of clay for tools to add or subtract from a solid. Great for transferring organic sculpting from the real world to the digital. This class will allow one to familiarize oneself with how to use Sculptris as a creative medium for artistic expression.
- 2 – 5pm both days
- $240 for the 2 day, 6 hour class
Saturday, Dec. 15 & Saturday, Dec. 22
Intro to Modo (Arthur Young-Spivey)
Be you an artist, designers, computer graphics or engineer who interested in seeing what the new direction of 3D is capable of, then this is the class for you. Introducing Modo, from Luxology, now available for both Mac and PC natively and offers both organic and exact modeling and the ability to create stunning and amazing visuals for rendering and animation. Modo also offers the ability to be fully customize and adapt the program to your needs.
The goal of this class, built from the ground up around a process based approach, is for attendees to feel familiar and comfortable with the Modo 3D environment.
This class runs on two consecutive Saturdays.
- 5:30pm – 7:30pm both Saturdays
- $50 – special value price
Sunday, Dec. 16
Designing for Desktop Printing (Kacie Hultgren, aka “PrettySmallThings”)
Desktop 3D printers are powerful tools for home and small business users, but these machines present a unique set of design challenges. This tech talk starts with an overview of the 3D printing process, and proceeds to an in depth exploration of the strengths and limitations of desktop 3D printing. Learn to harness the design constraints of a desktop 3D printer by optimizing existing designs, or creating new designs that bend the rules, and push the limits of what is possible. This class is a great starting point for designers who want to bring their work to life with desktop 3D printing, or DIY 3D Printer owners who want to take their designs to the next level. Class includes a 60 minute tech talk, followed by a Q&A.
A laptop is not needed for this class.
- 10am – 11:30am
- $25
3D Printing & DIY Electronics (Matthew Griffin)
DIY 3D printing has escaped the pages of science fiction and the bounds of the high-end design & engineering firms to catch the imagination of makers, hackers, educators and journalists across the world. However, many of the practitioners taking up these devices lack the design skills and techniques to leverage a tool “that can make you anything you want.” Matt will offer a short snapshot of new directions where the field is moving, and then shift into a hands-on interactive workshop where participants bring together the design practices of 3D printing and DIY electronics.
No laptop required for this workshop.
- 12pm – 1:30pm
- $25
Every Thursday is #3dthursday here at Adafruit! The DIY 3D printing community has passion and dedication for making solid objects from digital models. Recently, we have noticed electronics projects integrated with 3D printed enclosures, brackets, and sculptures, so each Thursday we celebrate and highlight these bold pioneers!
Have you considered building a 3D project around an Arduino or other microcontroller? How about printing a bracket to mount your Raspberry Pi to the back of your HD monitor? And don’t forget the countless LED projects that are possible when you are modeling your projects in 3D!
The Adafruit Learning System has dozens of great tools to get you well on your way to creating incredible works of engineering, interactive art, and design with your 3D printer! If you’ve made a cool project that combines 3D printing and electronics, be sure to let us know, and we’ll feature it here!
