FIN 130 Unit 3

Digital Creation/3D Fabrication/Workflow

INTEGRATING EMERGENT

This unit was very frustrating for me. It involved navigating 3 different computer programs to reach the end product. I am not computer savvy, and I am sure everyone on the block heard my profanity.

First program to figure out: Meshmixer

I went to a website called cults.com and downloaded a coffin shaped box. I used the Meshmixer program to remove the raised cross motif. It was fun to just play with the different brushes and see what they would do.

Once I had the cross removed, I used the Inspector button to see if there were any problems with the image. It indicated that I had rips that needed to be repaired. I also used a fill tool to make the whole shape solid and not hollow inside.

Everything was fine, and I saved it as a .mix file to be used in the next program.

Second program to figure out: Slicer for Fusion

Slicer was a very easy program to use. I downloaded my coffin and ran it through the settings. It worked out the first time, and gave me 3 pages of pattern pieces. (I ended up making the whole thing a little larger that translated to 4 sheets of cardboard pattern pieces.)

I saved each pattern sheet to a PDF files. That is the format that the next program requires. I found Slicer to be a really easy program to use. Probably due to the basic nature of my shape.

Using the erasure tool, I erased all the red numbers used for putting the model together. I also changed all the shape lines from blue to red as the laser cutter requires it to be that shade. I did this for each of the 3 pages and saved them as .svg files to be sent off to the computer.

Four pages of lovely precut cardboard were created for me down at The Makers Space. I was so excited to punch out the pieces and assemble my coffin. After getting it all put together, I noticed a couple of areas that needed fixing.

Two different edges were about an inch short so I cut some more cardboard and hot glued them into place to extend the side walls. I also added two more pieces on the bottom to provide it with a base to stand on.

I created a little sign that I hot glued onto the top front. This coffin is ready to be painted!

I was called in for hip surgery near the start of this unit. It also involved cutting a wood art piece in the studio as well. Since I was home recovering and had lots of clay, I asked my instructor if I could substitute making clay skulls to go into my coffin as a replacement for the wood piece as I am not able to go into the wood studio and use the machines. (I look forward to doing woodcutting in the next class!) These clay skulls were created October 31 and November 1st while the veil between the two worlds was thin. I called upon my ancestors and honor the ones before me. After they were dry, I sent my friends off to the college to be fired in the kiln.

I ended up not putting the skulls back into the kiln. I heated them up in my oven and rubbed a wax coating into the clay surface.

Now it is time to assemble my Momento Mori in honor of my ancestors. I very much enjoyed this unit in spite of the frustration with the programs and the glitches. I look forward to creating more 3D art in the future.

I think it would be really interesting to do portraits in layers of people I know. Reminds me of Michael Murphy who is in my artist research. So many 3D ideas in the future!