STEAM/STEM
Having A Wonderful Time With This!
I’m having a wonderful time with the new Art and Technology podcasts. We recorded our third one this morning. It is about 3D and copyright. A huge topic, and one that I think we will talk about quite often on this podcast. Here is a link to the case that we discussed along with our own experiences and thoughts about digital technology and copyright issues. Last week I had Materialise on the podcast and they shared their process and some of the incredible new things that will be around for artists working in 3D that want to get their artwork out of the computer.
Next week I have another exciting conversation. These are really fire side chats. Informal conversations on different aspects of digital sculpting, and traditional sculpting. The entrance line to the podcast is…
” Welcome to the art and technology podcast at digtialsculpting.net.
A fireside chat where innovation, creativity, technology and science meet.”
Now I just need to get the website up. I’m working diligently at this. It will be a community of artists talking about different subjects.
More Great Information About 3D Printing And Our Podcast
Can I be any more excited about my new endeavors? We just completed our second podcast with Joris Debo from Materialise. Oh the very interesting things I found out about the services that are going to be made available for digital printing. It was a great conversation and Joris will be sending more information concerning 3d printing that we can include on our new website. The website digitalsculpting.net will be up no later than May. We are working out all of the details of the site. All of these podcasts will be put up there.
Time to secure podcast interview #3.
More News In Digital 3D Printing Of Ceramics
I love to pass on interesting information as it pertains to technology and art especially when it has to do with sculpture.
Here are some wonderful links.
Ceramics Research from the Emily Carr University in British Columbia
And of course a regular ongoing plethora of information Solheim’s blog
Can Art Divulge Secrets Of Science?
I am intrigued with the notion that somehow art can help us to understand hidden concepts that math and science cannot. I was first introduced to this idea when I happened upon weaver Nathalie Miebach in my first semester graduate studies at Goddard College. In this presentation of “Weaving Science Into Sculpture” for the Cambridge Science Festival, Nathalie talks about how she takes data that she has collected and weaves the data. The results are somewhat strange, but I cannot help but look at the artwork more closely, differently than I do just ordinary art. I feel Nathalie unknowingly weaved some secret here.
I wonder, can art be an additional source of exploration for things such as math and science? Then of course, still in my first semester at Goddard, I was introduced to the Design and the Elastic Mind exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). There are several videos on this site. They explore this very concept or art depicting science and math. Together MOMA, artists and scientists found through SEED magazine, worked together to create this exhibit. Again I am intrigued. What does the artwork say, that until the point of viewing the “data” in this way, could not be understood?
Design and the Elastic Mind Videos
Design and the Elastic Mind Videos
This semester my intrigue continues as my professor sends me this link and the work of “Margaret Wertheim and her sister Christine on the beautiful math of coral.” She explores the hyperbolic geometry involved in creating coral reefs and the idea that up until this expressive form of art- crochet, mathematicians have not had a way to model the structure.
“Through this sort of modality, crochet, other plastic forms of play, people can be engaged with the most abstract, high powered theoretical ideas. The kind of ideas that normally you have to go to universities departments to study in higher mathematics.” “ But you can do it through playing with material objects.” States, Margaret. Surprisingly there has been an evolution of crochet species created by deviating from the algorithmic code.
In the video Margaret talks about how Chicago Cultural Center was filled with a crochet version of coral reef. The crocheting of coral reefs has become a movement of people spanning 3 continents. It is not only a way to link art and science but also a link between, “marine biology, feminine handicraft and environmental activism,” states Margaret Margaret and Christine have developed The Institute For Figuring. “The Institute For Figuring is an organization dedicated to the poetic and aesthetic dimensions of science, mathematics and the technical arts.”
My fascination and research continue. It is a bit different than what my original study is. Although I am studying art and technology, I am also extremely intrigued with how math and science plays into arts. The study has been, up to this point, about bridging the gap between technology and the traditional art studio. I’m focusing on digital printing and milling and scanning, and the creation of my new book, “Digital Sculpting in Mudbox.” Though I must say, this off shoot of my study has me enthralled. I’m not sure what I will do with it besides, look at the artwork and the marriage of science, math and art a bit closer, but then, my study is just beginning, who knows where this will lead. At a College like Goddard you are free to explore, and encouraged to engage in things that you might never have seen yourself explore and engage. For me, it is the best fit and an adventure in education.
As part of my study, this semester I have committed to interviewing others on art and technology in an online podcast. I look forward to beginning this creative endeavor. My initial thought was that perhaps it would be interviews with those who deal with digital sculpting, 3d printing, milling and 3d scanning, but I can see the possibilities for the podcast growing. More on this in up-and-coming posts, our first podcasts are scheduled for recording this month and available online soon.
Citations
“Weaving Science into Sculpture.” Forum-Network. Web. 22 Oct 2009. .
“Weaving Science into Sculpture.” Forum-Network. Web. 22 Oct 2009. .
“Design and the Elastic Mind: Introduction.” Museum of Modern Art. 10 Nov 2009. http://www.moma.org/explore/multimedia/videos/12/123 .
“Design and the Elastic Mind: Nanodesign.” Museum of Modern Art. 10 Nov 2009. http://www.moma.org/explore/multimedia/videos/12/124 .
“Design and the Elastic Mind:Organic Design.” Museum of Modern Art. 10 Nov 2009. http://www.moma.org/explore/multimedia/videos/12/125
“Design and the elastic mind: 3d-Sketch.” Museum of Modern Art. 10 Nov 2009.
http://www.moma.org/explore/multimedia/videos/12/126.
“Design and the elastic mind: visualization.” Museum of Modern Art. 10 Nov 2009.
http://www.moma.org/explore/multimedia/videos/12.
“- The Institute For Figuring -.” Web. 4 Mar. 2010 .
“Margaret Wertheim on the beautiful math of coral. “ TED. Web. 4 Mar. 2010
Wonderful Conversations- Ton of Information
Last week Bob Wood from ex one put together a conference call between the following people and myself. As Bob put it.
The purpose of the call is to attempt to answer as many questions as we can for Bridgette who is researching information for a book that she is writing. I have had many conversations with her over the last year or so and she has toured our Houston RCT jobshop. To paraphrase what she is trying to ascertain from us is how a traditional sculptor can migrate into the electronic design and manufacturing world. As all of us know, it took us years to figure this out. Bridgette is trying to define the process so that traditional artists can become productive without having to go through a painful learning curve that may cause them to shy away from this technology.
HE knows me well. Though he also failed to say.I have pitched a second book idea, am writing articles on these subjects and a good deal of my graduate studies is around the process. On the phone were the following people. It was so great to chat with these very knowledgeable people. It was also good to be around 3D people who, when I told them that I wanted to get designs out of the computer did not say, “why do you want to do that?”
Bridgette Mongeon – Sculptor, Artist, Author
www.creativesculpture.com
Houston, TX
Chuck Gailey – 3D Designer, Architect- designer, Artist
www.otbdesignworks.com
Whitefish, MT
Gabriel Obregon – 3D Artist, Freeform designer
www.hybrid-learning.com
Pittsburgh, PA
Mike Orange – Prometal Production Manager
www.prometal.com
Irwin, PA
Bob wood
All I can say is I wish I would have recorded this meeting. You all know I have been doing Christian podcasts for a while. Don’t be surprised if you begin to also see some art podcasts posted here. I have everything set up for podcasts and my spotonradio.com station has another channel. Now all I need is the time.
3D Printing In Ceramic! So Cool!
Too cool, 3D printing in ceramics! Yes. I love this idea. I love where the technology is going. Check out Ceramic Arts Daily article The Printed Pot. Solheim is on my list for interviews.
3d Printing In Sand And Metal!
I was invited by Bob wood to the proMetal shop here in Houston. We have another engagement for Bob to come to the studio as soon as my schedule frees up a bit.
I was thrilled to be able to see the process of printing in sand. Yes, there you have it… 3D printing in sand! As usual this technology was first developed for manufacturing as you see by this casting of this fly wheel thing.
I’m also putting some pictures up of their 3D digital printing in metal. This is another part of of the company. The skull was created that way. Yes, they say they can print in bronze or gold! I’ll be describing this process in an up and coming book.
The sand is like the investment cast on the mold. and it is printed in this huge machine that Bob Wood and I are standing in front of. If this process can be perfected to get smooth surfaces it can really take over the investment casting of bronze casting. The lost wax method would literally be history, and there would be no more storing all of those molds! YEAH TO THAT! plus once the art is computerized it could be made to fit piece to piece. In other words, the seams would be put together like a puzzle. in the computer aiding in the welding together. So cool. The possibilities of this are incredible.
I have to get through the Mudbox book first. But am chomping at the bit about starting this other book. It will cover all of the new technology of output from the computer, as well as getting items into the computer— Digital scanning. So excited!
A Few Questions Answered
Someone who was reading my posts and may be interested in Mudbox had a few questions. I thought I should probably answer them publicly. If he had a question than others may as well. The questions are as follows.
“You mentioned having problems with Mudbox and your Mac. You added RAM, changed the graphic board, and then said something about the problem was the OS version 10.5.7. Were all these necessary to have the program run correctly or was it just the OS? If so, were you able to go back to 10.5.6?”
I suppose I should mention some of the history of Mudbox. We should go back to late 2007 when Autodesk, one of the leaders in 2D and 3D design and engineering software purchased Mudbox from the New Zealand company Skymatter.
The biggest competition for Mudbox is Pixologic’s Zbrush.Z brush Demo came out in December 2002. It is a good program but in my opinion, not as intuitive or easy to learn as Mudbox. Even so, once I have tackled this book project I do intend to devour Z Brush as well.
Autodesk is a big company and having Autodesk behind a program is a huge thing. Both my co-author and myself feel that Mudbox is something to watch. I’m thrilled to be in on the ground floor with our book. Digital Sculpting with Mudbox: Essential Tools and Techniques For Artists Publisher Focal Press.
I have to give Mudbox commendations for quickly making a Mac version. It took Z brush a long time to come out with a Mac version. It was released in June of this year. Mudbox mac verions came out in May.
Needless to say there will probably be some bugs in a new version, but really there has been very little. My biggest difficulty was a graphics card. There seemed to be little suggestions offered on the Mudbox site concerning a desktop computer running mudbox. But finally, I changed my card and feel confident.
Unfortantely the biggest problem with my card seemed to have nothing to do with Mudbox. But may instead be something with the operating system, as another person reported that the same thing happens with him using different software. The problem when using another program, say photoshop or and clicking on that with my mouse, and then going back to Mudbox and turning my model which is a option>left mouse key, the model would flip upside down and my other program would hide. It was infuriating at first and when I got my new graphics card and it sill happened I was so mad. But the work around is simple. I just need to remember to tap on the Cintq tablet anywhere before pressing down the option key and turning my image. Once I do that, No problem!
Much has transpired in the last few months concerning this project and working in Mudbox. We have a deadline with the publisher and no software. That was frustrating. How do you write a book without software for the Mac? For a while I was able to run Mudbox on the PC side of a Mac using bootcamp, but it was a little frustrating for me. Different keys etc. So, yes Mudbox is running fine on my Mac with 10.5.7
When mudbox for the Mac began to ship in May, I was elated. I’m not sure how many Mac users there are but there are definitely some at Autodesk as I have been speaking to them.
RAM
I didn’t really need the extra ram that I bought to use Mudbox. The specs say that Mudbox can run on 1 gig but 2 is recommended. It is very important for both my co author and I to be able to write a book with instructions on a program that any one can use. Sure everyone would like to ramp up their computers and push the program to the limits. But we are keeping the average user in mind. Not the studio designer.
My basic reason for getting more ram is that I am also doing audio and video, and really wanted to begin to do video tutorials using such programs as Mudbox or zbrush. with that… well I needed a little more.
Graphics card
Here is a stickler and there does seem to be more cards for PC’s than Mac’s. But this new card was not terribly expensive, and I am glad I got it.
I do hope that has answered some of the questions. Be watching for what happens with Mudbox. Thanks for the questions, and keep them coming.
For those interested my present configurations are.
Mac Pro Mac OS X 10.5.7
2 x3 GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon
12 GB 667 MH DDR2 FB-DIMM
Was using ATI Radeon X1900 XT- it was buggy
NOW WITH NEW CARD ATI radeon 4870
Dual displays
20 ” display
20″ Cintiq tablet