Society has become more accepting of four-legged pets when it comes to where they are allowed to go. A decade ago, you might catch flack for bringing your dog to the public park. But these days, you’ll see dogs and cats in stores or malls wearing miniature costumes while lounging it up with high society. Bigger pets are usually found on a leash, but the smaller ones can be found in handbags, backpacks, and even cribs. U-pet is designer Tom Stevenson’s answer for a go-to carrier for tiny pets. While pet carriers are not all that unusual, these bags all feature breather holes, soft cushion bases (because not even your…

Ya know, while there are various ways to collaborate online around a 3D CAD project with other like-minded designers and engineers, you don’t hear about it too often. We’ve yet to get to the real-time, live-edit environment, à la Google Docs, but we’re close. You may have built a few 3D models in Onshape but, raise of hands, have you ever collaborated with someone using Onshape? Well, a group of Onshape users has started the “Ultimate Collaboration Onshape Community Project”, and they’re aimed designing a motorcycle. A badass motocycle. And they’re looking for people who are interested in doing the same. Kicked off by Bryan Lagrange, Onshape user and CAD…

When it comes to side projects, hours become days, days become weeks, and weeks can often become months or years. But what if getting a minimum viable product created could happen on a Saturday…assuming you aren’t building a flying car? Many successful entrepreneurs have been touting the benefits of the 1-Day MVP—a one-day, all-out sprint to go from fresh idea to app or hardware prototype. Sure, some projects may take a little more energy and time than others, but having the process and infrastructure in place to successfully glide ideas along is what counts the most. Which is exactly the premise behind the 1-Day MVP 2.0 online training course; one…

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@www.solidsmack.com. Hit it! LEGO Life (iOS — Free) LEGO Life is full of fun, inspiring, awesome and cool stuff. And it’s all yours. Apollo…

When it comes to serious marker work, bleed-resistant paper can make all the difference in your finished product. And when you’re already spending a small fortune on markers, investing in the right paper just seems to make common sense. The Bleedproof Marker Pad from Copic scores high points for blending quality and price in a competitive market. While the paper is (naturally) designed to be used with Copic Markers, the paper serves as an ideal bleedproof surface for any alcohol-based marker. Copic Markers Alcohol Marker Pad, A3, 50 Sheets — $16.91 Features: Thin, bleed-resistant layout paper 11¾” × 16½”, paper weight: 70 g/m2 (~20 lb) Fifty sheets PURCHASE VIA AMAZON…

It’s not every day when we hear about an exciting new power tool innovation—so when we do get one, it’s usually worth giving a hoot about. The LignoLoc wood nail fastening system is most certainly one of those. Designed to be used in industrial production and ecological timber construction, LignoLoc is the first-ever fireable wooden nail that boasts a tensile strength similar to aluminum nails. Made from indigenous beech wood and manufactured by the BECK Fastener Group, each nail is hardened by compressing cell structures and hardening with sustainable resin. The company is also releasing their F44AC customized to be used specifically with LignoLoc nails. The resulting fastener system allows…