In CAD

Project Shapeshifter: Autodesk's Easy-to-Use (and Free) Generative 3D Modeler (Video)

2 Mins Read

Autodesk has been making headway with various announcements leading up to next week’s Autodesk University in Las Vegas. A little over a month ago we saw the release of their Project Miller preview, which is aimed at optimizing and validating designs before hitting that heavy ‘Print’ button to send a file off to a 3D printer. Their latest technology preview Project Shapeshifter comes in the form of a 3D modeler that allows new CAD users to develop complex geometry out of common primitive shapes with very little effort…essentially creating a generative modeling experience of sorts without having to dive head-first into Grasshopper. Let’s take a look at how quickly we can put together a vase and export the STL for a ceramic 3D print.

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In DESIGN

On Location: Jony Ive and Marc Newson's (RED) Pre-Auction Exhibition at Sotheby's NYC

1 Min Read

There’s been a lot of hype surrounding the (RED) charity auction curated by Jony Ive and Marc Newson—particularly in regards to their one-of-a-kind desk and Leica camera designs. Well, it all goes down tomorrow (Saturday 11/23) at Sotheby’s in Manhattan’s Upper East Side. In preparation for the auction, Sotheby’s held a limited-engagement exhibition to show off the 43 objects that represent some of the best achievements in design over the last century ranging from furniture design to surfboards and record players to spacesuits. Jony, Marc, and (RED) co-founder Bono were even in attendance on Friday to answer questions, stand by their favorite items, and most importantly, get people hyped up about a great cause. SolidSmack stopped by to see what the fuss was all about and grabbed some pics of the items before they head off into the hands of buyers. Here’s some of our favorites in the 43-piece auction lot.

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In SMACKDOWN

Friday Smackdown: Shcup Snaggle

2 Mins Read

The chimes could be heard clear throu the thicket, the wall and the belly of the beast that stood in our way. Perhaps the sound traveled around his massive mid-rift, perhaps over his wart-ladened head. Either way, it distracted him giving us just enough time to clip the last of its feelers and activate these…

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In NEWS

Move Over Miley: Industrial Designer Karim Rashid Releases 'Electro-Pop' Album

2 Mins Read

Few industrial designers have branded themselves with flamboyant tastes and pink outfits, yet Karim Rashid has created a solid name for himself as a multi-disciplinary designer who has worked with everybody from Alessi to Coca Cola and Dupont to Dirt Devil. With his creative direction guiding everything from product design to branding and even fine art, perhaps it comes with little surprise that his latest project doesn’t come in the form of visual design at all, but rather in the form of an Electro-Pop album where he shares his philosophies on design and the world at large.

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In FAB

The Free-D: MIT Researchers Develop 'Smart Tool' for Hand Carving Pre-Defined CAD Models

2 Mins Read

Consider it a handheld 3D printer of sorts—and not of the stringy-glue gun variety. The FreeD is MIT’s latest cool piece of tech that is essentially a handheld milling machine that allows a user to sculpt a pre-defined shape from a 3D model. As 3D printer manufacturers are moving towards higher resolution and accuracy in their prints, the FreeD’s aim is just the opposite: how do you add a handmade appearance to otherwise smooth surfaces?

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