From custom hand-milled creations to 12-sided behemoths designed for roleplaying games, it’s impressive how far dice have come since they were first discovered in archeological digs and were estimated to be between 2800 to 2500BC. CoDi dice are a standard six-sided die CNC machined out of steel or brass (depending on preference) and come with three different symbols beyond usual dots, including Tally (or hash marks), Symbol (square, X, etc.) and House (inspired by building construction). What’s more, you can mix and match the different types depending on your taste or game rules. Created by successful Kickstarter campaign veteran father and son team (13 created/13 backed) Dave and Calvin Laituri,…

2017 was a good year for Advanced Modeling Tools enhancements inside of Onshape. In particular, I’m talking curve and surface creation tools. These are the kind of features that have got this ole ID guy chomping at the bit to model something curvy and sweet in form! My aim in this post is to highlight the collection of surface creation tools that have come available.  So let’s have a look.

Now more than ever, the ability to craft a killer work email or create a work summary that is clear and concise couldn’t be more critical. While emojis, slang, and Slack are taking over the workplace, the dying art of well-written copy speaks volumes when done right. Unfortunately, most of us are too busy moving along to the next task than spending half an hour scrutinizing over every piece of outbound communication. The good news is, now you don’t have to. Used by everybody from students to C-Suite members, Grammarly is a clever little writing tool that assists your copy crafting with an advanced context-aware spellcheck, alternate word suggestions, and…

It’s time for another round of apps that cover the spectrum of your beloved mobile device(s)! The Weekly App Smack is the best of new or updated design and productivity apps (and maybe a couple of fun ones, too) for the busy design or engineering professional and this week we have a list sure to make you more efficient. Do you have an app suggestion that has made your life easier or changed up your workflow? Let us know in the comments below or send it into tips@solidsmack.com. Hit it! Swatches (iOS — Free) Swatches is a fun and accurate color picker for the real world. iA Writer (iOS – $4.99)…

When it comes to mechanical pencils, not all are created equal. And with rOtring, this couldn’t be truer. Ideal for sketching, writing, and drawing, the iconic rOtring 800 Mechanical Pencil features an ergonomically enhanced full metal body, with centered weight balance and a comfortable non-slip knurled grip for long work periods without discomfort or fatigue. Featuring a “Twist and Click” retractable mechanism of the entire sleeve and lead, the rOtring 800 Mechanical Pencil can easily go from pocket to sketch without worrying about damage or lead breakage. Quite frankly, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better mechanical pencil for this price. The rOtring 800 Retractable Mechanical Pencil — $34.25 Features:…

From paring tomatoes to slicing through thick bread crust, few tools are as valuable in the kitchen as a sharp and reliable knife set. In fact, connecting with a great knife set is so important, it’s one of the few kitchen tools culinary schools require their students to purchase on their own. And while there are plenty of great knives out there worthy of a spot on your kitchen counter, the Ceramic Onyx collection from Edge of Belgravia is just as deserving of its good looks as it is for blade reliability. Conceived of by designer Christian Bird and inspired by Paleolithic flint tools, the lightweight knifes combine a sturdy…