This exercise required us to create our own title blocks which we would use to display our work in AutoCAD and on paper. We created 6 different title blocks,
two for each paper size from A2 to A4 (Landscape and portrait) To get some inspiration I looked at a few title block examples from companies
such as construction, plumbing and electrical industries. The title blocks I created have a number of different designs; However, the information which is
displayed on them has stayed the same.The standard layout I have gone for has the title of the project, my logo, scale, paper size, email address and date.
This offers a way for users viewing my work to get a better understanding of the purpose of the pieces as well as giving them some way to contact me if they
have any questions.
Exercise 4: File Format
AutoCAD offers a wide variety of file types we can save our work as, some have more specific reasoning why you might save it as that file whilst some are just
better in terms of maintaining quality. Here are a few examples of the different file types I saved my poster design as and I will explain why I have chosen
them as well as the benefits of each.
The most common file on AutoCad would be the default .DWG file and are mostly used in Vector drawings; it is compatible with almost every CAD software
which makes it very versatile. They are also amazing at minimizing storage as they are stored as binary their data is just 1's and 0's.
.DWT is also known as a drawing template file and is used when starting a new drawing on AutoCAD. After the files can be converted into a DWG
.DWS or Drawing Standard is a file type which verifies and checks the standards of CAD drawings. It will highlight any errors in the drawings and give
suggestions on how to fix them.
.DXF file is best with vector images, it's similar to DWG but it reduces file size by converting its data in ASCII text. This means it can be read by a variety
of different softwares which can decode the text base. This file can be used on machine softwares such as CNC routers and Laser cutters.
Exercise 5: Quick Sketches
This quick sketching challenge tested our ability to look at a landscape and be able to sketch it in just 15 minutes trying to get it closely resembling
what it should be. In total I created 5 drawings of different areas around the university campus. I took photos across campus to use as references and
started to sketch on A5 paper. I timed myself 15 minutes so that I knew when to stop drawing. Once the drawings were done I went over them in fineliner to
make them stand out a bit more so they were easier to display. I was able to manage my time effectively as I did not focus too much on the small details rather
focused on the bigger picture. The overall impact of this exercise has allowed me to get faster at drawing ideas and learning the key aspects of quick sketching.
Exercise 6: Multi-Discipline CAD
To put into practice our 3D design skills we learnt throughout AutoCAD, we were tasked to create 3 different CAD models which had to fit into these
I decided to go with the product, engineering and instrument categories as I had clear ideas of what I wanted to create.
I first created the baubles base extrude of the design using a sphere then adding the cylinders as the top using the fillet tool I then rounded off some
cuboids to make a hook so it could be hung on the Christmas tree. I wanted to add some design to the bauble so I then implemented the torus ring
then shrunk the diameter to wrap around the sphere.
Next was the banjo, the base design was pretty simple using cylinders and a cuboid. I was then able to filler the edge of the banjo face which created
the curve on most banjos. I then added the bars to the fingerboard and created the bridge.
The gear was very simple, I first drew out the main body and one gear teeth. Using the array tool I was then able to duplicate the gear tooth around the main
body I set the number of teeth to 8 as I thought it looked best after trimming all the excess then the press pull tool was used to extrude the drawn design.
Exercise 7: Mesh Modelling
One of the main design skills we learnt on AutoCAD was mesh design, we used the mesh section of the toolbar to create shapes with multiple faces allowing us
to extrude or remove the center of the shape allowing us to form hollow gaps. The exercise set was to create two mesh designs which fit into one of these categories;
transport, furniture or electronics.I first looked into the different categories trying to get some design inspiration. I settled on creating a sofa and a scooter.
Creating the basic shapes for the sofa using the mesh design tools went well, I was then able to manipulate the faces to add a pointed spike to the top of the back
cushion. I was then able to smooth it and round it using the ‘Smooth object’ tool. As for the scooter I first drew the design in 2D then proceeded to extrude it
into a 3D structure and extruded the wheels out so they would be more predominant.
Exercise 8: 3D Logo
Our task was to create a 3D logo for our game project 'Trash Tumble'. I gathered a few ideas on what I could use for my 3D logo design through the asset list supplied by
my 3D designer and kept the focus age at 11 - 15 year olds. I started off with one of the most iconic props in our game, the skip design. I wanted the logo to express what
the game was about so I thought having all the assets falling would look great as it is a key aspect and mechanic of our game. I created a bunch of different mini assets which
I could use as falling objects. I was able to create 3D text using the 'TXTEXP' command and extrude it using the 'Presspull' tool. Once that had been done I put together the 3D
text, skip and the falling assets to create the final logo.
Group Project
Project 1: Trash Tumble
The game project was our first major team assessment and group work. Teams of 8 were chosen from a wide variety of pathways. The project was to create and design a
game along with social media accounts and merchandise. We were given 6 weeks to complete this, where as a team we would have different tasks depending on your course.
My role for the project was to create a line of merchandise for our game.
Week 1 & 2 -
I started to brainstorm my ideas. I wanted a wide range of items which would target both the higher and lower age groups which were 11 - 15 year old.
Week 3 -
This was the halfway point of the project and this was the week I fully focused on designing my products on AutoCAD. The first product I worked on was the money box.
as it was one of the main aspects of our game. Along with the packaging I did more design work, a speaker and a ball catching toy. I took a character model designed by
my 3D artist then added a base and speaker design. The next was the catching ball toy, this was one of my favourite works from semester one. I took the character and
skip model combining them then added a lever which I designed into a shovel to activate the mechanism.
Week 4 -
I thought about how I could store my products in a collectors edition but I wanted to design a unique box to hold everything together. I came up with a skip collectors box
I wanted to create this as I thought it would be a great piece of the collection due to the age at which kids would get pocket money. The next model I made was the toy
wagon, I used the original skip design then added an axle and wheels to the base so it could move around. The handle was the next part of the design. I made a simple
handle using the 'Torus' and 'cylinder' tool then connected it to the wagon body.
Week 5 -
I started working on figures of the characters as a collectible from our game to reach out to the kids looking for novelty items.
Week 6 -
This was the final week and our project was due, the group started working on the final pitch. We gathered all our work including my merchandise and put it all in one presentation.
Semester 2
Weekly Exercises
Exercise 1:
At the start of our mobile game project, I created a paper sketch of my VR headset I then went to draw them in 2D on AutoCAD. The different elevations of my design are
shown in the images below as well as added orignal draft dimensions of the headset which I planned on developing down the design journey. All dimensions are in mm.
Exercise 2:
I originally did a few sketches of my mobile device design which I would now need to convert into a proper 3D model on AutoCAD. I used very simple shapes to begin with
but began to develop the design to make it more comfortable and user friendly to the target market. The design journey shows the different skills I learnt over this project.
Exercise 3:
Following a lesson on material mapping of which we created a coke can, we then went on to create another everyday item using the same skills we had learnt. I decided to design
a cooking pot inspired by those made by Le Creuset. I used an orange banner image and mapped it around the base of the pot and then created a logo and slogan on Canva.
I then used the same material mapping method to wrap the logo around the top of the lid and rendered the final design.
Exercise 4:
Referring back to the previous task, exercise 3 we then had to create a short animation for the product which in this case would give us a 360 view of the pot.
By using the circle draw feature I drew a ring around the pot to create an animation path then placed the rotation point on the centre of the pot.
I recorded a 5 second video and waited for it to render. This was the final product...
Exercise 6:
Along with our new group projects came a lot of assets. This task involved converting them into dynamic block so they can easily be imported and edited into a new
drawing. The added features allowed them to be customized to the users choice and make it more efficent...
Starting off with my spike asset I converted it into a block then added a rotate, move and stretch feature.
Then I block edited the stamp asset this time adding a rotate, move and scale feature.
Finally the shattered glass puzzle, the features I added to this one was rotate, move, flip and scale to allow for the full sizing option for the user.
Exercise 7:
This exercise tasked us to create a poster about AutoCAD shortcuts. I put the most frequently used and useful shortcuts that people would use when using the software to
make the CAD process quicker and more efficient. I created my poster on Canva.
Exercise 8:
The task was to explore the dimensions of our mobile gaming device referencing global anthropemetric data and reasonings behind our chosen dimensions.
The headset width is 205mm, although the average head width is 180mm. I plan to curve the headset around the slides on the head to make sure it is more
secure and comfortable to the user.
The headband is stretchable which allows a varity of different size heads to fit around as there is a large range of head sizes when it comes to children
and adult anthropometric data sets
The nose area of the headset is measured at 50mm which compare to the average anthrometric data of nose sizes which is 55.8 mm. I entend to make it out of a
soft sponge like material so it can be adjusted to the users noses ensuring a snug fit.
When looking at already existing VR headsets, alot of the data was used to directly influence the final measurements of the design. The 205mm headset is in
the middle of the Gear VR and the Playstation VR as well as the height being inbetween these already existing headsets as well…
Exercise 9:
This exercise tasked us to design a museum exhibition for any selected topic, I went for an exhibition on the future of foods such as 3D printed food and the
sustainablity of future food, aimed to teach 11-16 year old how we can survive without making a negative impact on the enviroment. The set area we were given
was 16m by 18m and had to include 2 floors.
How will we reach out to our audience?
As we are aiming our exhibit for the teenager age range, reaching out to our audience via social media would attract a lot of attention, I would also like
to organise guests to go into schools to talk about the topic to spread the message about the importance of the exhibition
What attraction/experiences are there at the exhibition?
The exhibition will be toured and give the opportunity for people see 3D food printers and try 3D printed foods in the taster area located on the first floor.
The garden is located on the ground floor which will allow visiters to learn the sustainability of foods. Planned workshops will give a hands on experience on
growing their own foods and how to prepare them
Exercise 10:
The exercise set to us was to develop a day to day product to make it suitable for a wide range of people such as the elderly, disabled and other difficulties that one may face.
We selected a suitable product and enhanced it to better benefit or improve upon the product.
The product which I have chosen to improve is a modern day tissue box as I know for some disabled people especially amputees, it can be a bit of a hassle to try get and tear
off a simple bit of tissue and when the tissue falls into the box it can be a pain to try and get it out again. The product can be used by the blind with the braille on the button.
The dispenser reload is easy, the side hindges down and paper rolls or kitchen roll can be loaded. Once the button is pressed the motors will automatically push the paper to
the top. The tissue box will beep when its empty to let the person know, this wil benefit the elderly and people with reduced hearing.
Group Project
Project 2: Mobile Device Project
Our second project of the Semester was the Mobile Gaming Device…The goal for our project was to create an eduction or gaming device which was portable and
easy to use. we were put into groups of 6. We started off by brainstorming and sketching out a design, we came up with a new VR which would come with a
detachable console similar to the switch…
As the CAD student It was my task to then recreate the drawing in AutoCAD, the design started off very simple but changed overtime to benefit user comfort and
usability. This is the design journey of the headset…
As the extras I also created the console and the controllers. However, these didnt get developed as I wanted to focus on the headset itself. The design for these were
very simple and based off some of the already existing controllers and consoles such as the switch and the wii remotes. The controllers are designed so that they can be
detached and attached to any modification depending on whichever game you choose to play.
Once my group had agreed on the design, I started to 3D print the headset. Knowing the headset would require multiple prints in multiple parts, I decided to start off
with the easy parts first. I only had one grey piece so I started with that first due to the having to change the filament to white for the next print. The prints
turned out well only having slight issues with the front face design of the hexagons. Once every piece had been printed I put it altogether using hot glue then added a
placeholder headband using a facemask strap. To further develop the design I painted on the orange accents and printed off a character to show off the functionality
of the product.
Project 3: Interactive Game Exhibition
For the final project of the Semester, We had to create a game or educational exhibition which would be interactive. The difference between this project and the
last two were that this time the project had to be functional and be able to be shown in the end of year Transmedia show. We were once again put into groups of
6 people this time for a 12 week project. The brainstorming for this project took a lot of consideration but at the end we decided to go down the vr experience
route. We chose to do a mystery/puzzle game aimed at school children and decided on the name Book & Pen… (Logo designed by our designer)
The project was spilt up into two parts to make sure everyone had something to do for the project. When planning on what I was gonna do me and my group
decided to create physical props in this case puzzles for our investigation game. I thought about what could be used and I came up with a briefcase
design as well as the very first puzzle “Shattered Glass”
I then 3D printed the glass puzzle as a test to see if it would function and it turned out great. After more development through the project I received
some valuable feedback and ideas about the next puzzles as well as how to approach creating them for the final exhibition. The idea that I was given was
a braille puzzle which involved punching holes into paper with a stamp which I went on to design…
As I had a bit of spare time, I worked on a notepad for our project along with printing and testing out the stamp…
Once the stamp was done, I went on to finish the glass shard puzzle. The feedback I was given was to try using the lazer cutter and use clear acrylic instead
of 3D printing the shards. So I decided to go down that route and I was really happy with the outcome. All there left to do was to put on the lettering...
