In DESIGN

Behind the Design: Making Machines that Eat Cars

5 Mins Read

We all know it. There are at least six programs that go into design process. That is, when there are more than five programs used. And with that, there’s a workflow that needs to be beat into submission. You’re about to see one that has been dealt with thusly.

You remember the design arsenal poll last week, right? The comment about using six different programs in the design process, which inspired that poll, came from none other than Bruce Buck, SolidSmack reader from the great city of San Antonio, Texas.

Now, he lays the process out for us – the design, the management and the rendering inside the company he works with, Metso Texas Shredder. As the name implies, they make machines that shred things, big things. Cars, for example. They have offices around the world that coordinate with each other on the engineering of the massive structures and they use NX, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Teamcenter, Keyshot and Shot to do it all.

Read More
In 3D CAD TECH

Goodbye Wacom Tablets? Hello Livescribe Echo and Future Design?

1 Min Read

Your measly, little common pens are about to become insanely jealous. You may have warned them that smartpens were a comin’ but being the arrogant pens that they are, they simply taunted you with ink leaks and repeated trips to the stock cabinet.

Now, they’ll take notice. The Livescribe Echo Smartpen is showing it’s face and it’s nothing but computerific possibility wrapped in a chunky looking exterior. What’s even more interesting is the possibilities of using it in design applications, from graphics design to 3D product development.

We’re just seeing the beginning of these getting some more advanced functionality, but I’ve got no doubt they’ll be part of how we interface with paper and space in the coming years. Take a look.

Read More
In CONTESTS

Design the (Robot) Face of Death to Come… but also friendly and elegant.

2 Mins Read

Here’s your chance to be part of the future… and also part of the remains left over after a rebel group goes after the people responsible for the creation of our friendly humanoid companions.

You may be familiar with the REEM-A or REEM-B developed by PAL Robitics. Well, as you might be able to guess, REEM-C is in development and claims to be the one of the most advanced humanoid robots in the world… and guess what? They need YOU to design a snazzy exterior for the chunky beast.

Details are on Life in the Robotics Lab, but needless to say, elegant, not scary, not toy-like and recognizable are going to be a great challenge. Up for it? Here’s what’s up for grabs.

Read More
In CAD

Design Buildings Using SolidWorks? Maybe with SolidWorks V6… or V7

3 Mins Read

Quick! Switch your screen from the SolidWorks model of your house back to the spreadsheet that updates Mr. Manager coming round the corner on your task status.

Yep, you know what I’m talking about. Modeling your house in SolidWorks. Many have done it in their ‘spare time’. Or, maybe you actually work for a architect who models building with SolidWorks. Even better. I was a 5 day horse ride away from becoming an architect, so this topic is near the top of my “list of cool things I like to scream about into a fake microphone.”

Way back when I started this post, I saw a video from Deelip on Dassault’s Live Buildings. Then he post about Designing Building with SolidWorks yesterday. There are people doing it. We’ve touched on using SolidWorks for Architecture more than a couple times. But, what about the big stuff? We may be seeing more come out of SolidWorks and specifically Dassault as their V6 tech, their community and their collaboration tools find it’s way into SolidWorks.

Read More
In CAD

Friday Smackdown: Raft Hallard

1 Min Read

Now, there was a time when vassal and vessel sailed betwixt the vapored reef, but all the coin and all the curd could not save your hide from links like these. Alberto Cerriteno – I could seriously sip paint and look at Alberto’s art all day. Brilliant colors and design. Big Bang Big Boom -…

Read More