Haptic A-Go-Go

Anarkik3D has opened a crowd funding initiative at IndieGoGO to raise money for enhancements to their Cloud9 haptic 3D modeling software. The project's goal is sufficient funding for two full time programmers to develop the improvements, which means USD$120,000 by June 27th. 

 

We think this is important, because, as Anarkik3D's CEO Ann Marie Shillito says: 

 

... the process of designing in conventional “CAD” does not correspond to the way studio artists and designer makers prefer to work. Frustrated with complex interfaces and prescriptive functions that block creative flow, many are put off or give up. 

 

Whereas when using Cloud9 and its haptic companion you actually touch your virtual design and manipulate it in a familiar 3 dimensional environment. The haptic force feed-back provides a tactile, fluid and organic way of working which reflects the natural interactions experienced with real things, tools and processes. 

The initiative offers a variety of benefits funders may choose from, ranging from placing your name as a supporter, to sample 3D prints created with the technology, to the software and hardware itself. There's even an option to receive in-person training in the environment. 

 

Via IndieGogo

Haptic Printing Experiment

Not sure about 3D printing and want to experience it? Really experience it? Now there's a way to do so in which you (personally) become the 3D printer! You manipulate a hand-held extruder and move it about to gradually build up a 3D model just as a real 3D printer might do.

 

Designer Joong Han Lee of Studio Homunculus in Eindhoven explains how it works:

 

Haptic Intelligentsia is a human 3D printing machine that allows the user to tactually perceive the virtual object and to directly transform it into the physical. The user can freely move the extruding gun, which is attached to a haptic interface. When the tip of the gun is moved into a surface region of the virtual object, the interface generates forces under computer control, allowing the user to feel and touch the surface of the object.

 

The operator of the device moves the extruder manually and gradually builds up the object. Naturally, the results are not quite as precise as you'd get from a real 3D printer, but hey - it's human error visualized. Perhaps this is a way for some people to understand 3D printing? 

 

Lots more information on this experiment is available at DesignBoom, but if you want to actually create a 3D model using a haptic approach, we recommend you check out Cloud 9.

 

Via Studio Homunculus and DesignBoom

Video: Using Haptic Tech for 3D Design

Artist Farah Bandookwala describes her experience using a haptic input device to design wonderful 3D sculptures. Haptic technology is the ability to "touch" a model using physical feedback mechanisms. This changes the design process significantly from conventional 3D design methods to something perhaps more akin to traditional art approaches. She's been using the Cloud9 software/hardware input combination to create some very unusual artwork. 

 

In the video, Bandookwala says: 

 

Using your hands as an artist and craftsperson, and using a haptic interface allow for being able to understand the form of an object through touch. I didn't really get immersed in using 3D software until I used Cloud 9 because it let me think in a way I was used to thinking about materials in a physical sense. 

 

We think this is a very important point. Some (well, perhaps many) popular 3D modelling software packages are designed for engineers, not artists. Even those that have an artistic bent are hampered by the differences in the interface as Bandookwala describes. This could be a factor in limiting the future use of 3D printers to produce artistic works. 

 

Today few have haptic interface hardware and software ready for use on their machines. But you can have both if you visit A1 Technologies and check out their Chameleon 3D package, which includes both the required hardware and software for £495.00 (USD$810). 

 

Via Vimeo and A1 Technologies (Hat tip to Rachel)

Everyone Can Be On Cloud9!

We've learned that AnarkikAngels has just released a new release of their easy-to-use haptic 3D modelling software, Cloud9 v2.1 - but this one has no time limits. As far as we can tell, this means it's free for use. According to Ann Marie Shillito of AnarkikAngels:

Up to now we have limited the license for Cloud9 to 1 year to encourage purchasers to update their software (an update being free) with the next level of functions. For applied artists, artists, designer makers and concept designing, with Cloud9 V2.1 we feel that we have now achieved a good balance between usability, features and functions, ease of learning, and a NON COMPLEX interface that makes fluid creation of objects and mastering the software fun to do. Objects created can be directly 3D printed using .stl which can also be used to import objects and forms to packages such as Rhino where there are next level functions for further development.

 So with no time limit on the license now, current owners and new purchasers of the software (bundled with the necessary Falcon haptic 3D device from Novint - to replace the 2D mouse) know they can get on and use this version forever with no pressure for further outlay nor the hassle of getting to grips with new functions/interface until they want and are ready to. 

 

But there is a catch: this software provides the amazing ability to perform 3D modelling while actually "feeling" what you are shaping by means of haptic feedback. How do you receive this feedback? Well, you must use a special Falcon haptic device. If you were to purchase one of these devices for £500 from A1-Technologies, you'd get the new version of Cloud9 bundled with it.

 

What's in the new version of Cloud9? According to Ann Marie:

 

• Submesh – Increase the number of triangles in an object’s mesh for better resolution: all triangles or selected areas
• Reduce mesh – Decrease the number of triangles in an object’s mesh: all triangles or just selected areas
• Slice an object/objects with a slice plane
• Create video clips and the individual frames
• Boolean improvement
• Fixed many small bugs
• Full manual

 

Via AnarkikAngels and A1-Technologies

Cool Stuff Collective Covers 3D Printing

The Cool Stuff Collective is a new UK-based kids show, where, well, "cool stuff" is demonstrated to children by well-known presenter Sy Thomas. In their first episode of September 13th of this year, they demonstrated 3D printing, but in a followup on September 20th they showed a related technology: haptic design. We've covered haptics previously, but if you don't know about it, it's the astonishing ability to "touch" virtual objects. One can only imagine the ease with which one could manipulate complex designs by touch instead of awkward menus and control interfaces. 

 

In the Cool Stuff Collective episode, presenter Sy Thomas "was absolutely gobsmacked by his first experience of haptics when he actually touched and interacted with a VIRTUAL object as though it were a real 3 dimensional one. When Sy pushed into the sphere he had created on the screen he could really feel the object as though it was an actual rubbery ball."

 

We think haptics should be integrated into more 3D design tools, as it is a totally intuitive way to interact with objects, just as we do so in "real life". The fact that children, even TV presenters, are instantly able to use and appreciate them shows this is a great approach to 3D interfaces. The problem is the rarity of the required interface hardware. 

 

Via Anne Marie Shillito 

Cloud9 V2 Leads to Chameleon Bliss

A flurry of press releases rained down upon us this week to announce the availability a new version of Anarkik Angels' amazing software modelling tool Cloud9 and its inclusion in A1 Technologies Chameleon Package. If you don't know about Cloud9 or Chameleon and you are a 3D modeller, you should. 

 

Cloud9 is a 3D modelling tool with a difference: you view your model in true 3D! Using it with 3D glasses and a haptic interface permits you to literally reach into a virtual 3D world to construct and touch your model by intuitive clicking and dragging, much like you'd do in a 2D design tool. Except it's all 3D here. You must watch the video to properly understand the power of this tool. Note: Cloud9 requires Windows, XP or better.

 

Here's the key features that you don't usually see in a typical 3D modelling package:

 

• being able to 'touch' and actually feel the 3 dimensional qualities of a virtual object
• movement in all directions to interact, manipulate and construct objects within a 3D space
• sense of touching and moving freely, tapping into our natural way of doing things
• feel where you are, whether inside or outside objects
• so easy to create organic shapes
• changing the hardness/softness of virtual objects for different effects
• straightforward, non-complex interface for a more intuitive way to sketch and modelling

 

According to Anarkik Angels, the new version includes:

• New well designed Interface
• reported bugs and crashes fixed so new version is more stable
• Mirror objects
• Shortcut keys for quicker operations, such as move/rotate object
• Support for OBJ file format( with texture mapping import capability)
• Export part of the model (export selected objects only)
• Configurable AUTOSAVE function
• Unit setting (mm, cm and meter)
• Boolean (union, subtract and intersect two objects): this is at pre-alpha stage, included as it is usable in part, a useful tool and fun!

 

Chameleon is a complete 3D modelling package that includes not only Cloud9, but also the necessary haptic controller. The combo is available now for only  £495.00 (USD$750). This package apparently does not include 3D glasses or the special keypad that appear in the video.

 

Via A1 Technologies and Anarkik Angels

A 3D Design Alternative

We received a follow up comment regarding our post "Poor Man's 3D Printing: The Design" from A1 technologies, marketers of a variety of 3D gear. They wished to point out one of their products, the Chameleon, might be considered as an inexpensive design alternative. 

 

What is the Chameleon? It's a hardware/software combination that enables haptic design of 3D shapes. Haptic? That means based on the sense of touch, and indeed that's precisely what the Chameleon's hardware does. The Chameleon includes a 3D haptic mouse, the Falcon from Novint, which "provides users with a more natural interaction within three-dimensional virtual space and allows significantly more intuitive working". The hardware is combined with Anarkik3D's Cloud9 modelling suite to enable 3D newbies to create imaginative shapes without significant training. Cloud9 produces files that are immediately useful on A1's 3D printers, and others, too. In other words, the Chameleon is a totally different approach to 3D modelling that could be a more viable point of entry for new modellers. 

 

We're very keen on this intuitive approach, and have written of it before. But could it be part of "Poor Man's 3D Printing"? The cost of the Chameleon is only £495 (USD$715) so it is tremendously less expensive than other haptic options. 

 

We like to think that it depends entirely on the modeller. If the modeller is sufficiently familiar with traditional 3D modelling software such as Blender or SketchUp, they might not have a need to spend on a Chameleon. On the other hand, if the learning curve of Blender is beyond your time threshold, perhaps the Chameleon should be sitting on your desk. 

 

Via A1 Technologies