Daily DIY

This tutorial is abouit modeling simple and basic mechanical components with 3D Mechanical CAD programs, Specifically one called Alibre Xpress, a freely available 3D MCAD prgram available from Alibre, Inc. at www.alibre.com/xpress



· You will learn to use a basic created default file as a starting point.

· You will quickly edit the basic material component, apply, and save the file.

· You will get further experience with Sketching & Constraints.

· You use 3D Mirror features, and add 3D Fillets.



It is assumed you already have Alibre Design Xpress or other versions of Alibre Design installed, and that you have a working knowledge of windows and keyboard shortcuts, and have completed the Standard Workspace Setup & Creation tutorial.




By: cad_crew

A Volumetric Projector is … what R2-D2 used to show Princess Leia in Star Wars.



This is an old project that seemed halted by refusal by DLP to provide a DMD chip

to vastly increase the 3D resolution. This project has not changed at all since

before HDTV even existed. I suppose after people realize the world isn’t flat, this is what

they will watch when 1800’s movie technology finally gets "old".



It is simple enough to have been built entirely by not more than 2 people, in a very short

total amount of time.

It actually does project animated 3D bitmapped images into the air.

It can be made by anyone who is good at PIC programming and mechanically inclined.

It cost us NOTHING, and has potential beyond most high budget 3D display research.

It contains no parts that were not available in 1980. All were scavenged from a junk pile.

Most or All of it’s 3D animations were sent 100 miles over a 14400 baud modem.

It does not stop if the modem hangs up.

It looks the same from all angles.

It has no mirrors, just one lens, which doesn’t have the size limitation of a parabolic mirror.

It’s a hunk of junk, but it works.



IT IS PUBLIC-DOMAINED (cc-share alike)



And, should the info be updated, a solution to the failure to acquire DLP may be included.

As well as some more of the animations that are stored in it.



That’s an old 80286 laptop, used as a TTY on the right.


By: VIRON

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Creating (a) Standard Part File for efficiency



This tutorial is about making a default part file that you can open in future – knowing that specific key parameters are already there – minimizing the amount of repetitious work in the daily routine of using Alibre Design Xpress and Alibre Design – Basic, Pro, or Expert.



* You will learn starting the Alibre Design program, and three ways to open a new part file.



* You will then learn about setting up properties: materials, dimensions, & applying options.



* You will also learn about workspace options, and parameters available for working simply.



Note:

It is assumed you already have Alibre Design Xpress or other versions of Alibre Design installed,

and that you have a working knowledge of windows and keyboard shortcuts.




By: cad_crew

Take an old phonograph turntable and a strobe light from radioshack to display 2 and 3d animated artworks.


By: TimAnderson

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This is another tutorial in a Series on creating 3D Mechanical CAD Models using Alibre Design Xpress.



It’s intent is to quickly cover two primary features:

- Extrude Boss (Make a Solid Object),

- Extrude Cut (Remove material from a solid object).



Within these two features you will learn finer points of different types, like Mid-plane, to Next, To Geometry, and uses of them.



You will also learn some simple sketching functions, like creation or application of:

- 2 point Rectangle,

- 3 point Rectangle,

- Circular Arc: Center, Start, End

- Elliptical Arc, Center, Major Axis, Minor Axis,

- Line, Reference line,

- B-spline.

- Symmetric Constraints,

- Linear Dimensions.



Note: - It is assumed you have already downloaded and installed Alibre Design Xpress, and know already how to start Xpress, if not, look at 3D CAD Non-Animated Tutorial - Feature #1 - Revolve - Basics - Step #1, in CAD Group at www.instructables.com



Proceed to Step # 1


By: cad_crew

You can create a small video animation of your face or an animated gif to use as an avatar in your blog, chat or e-mail signature. Many users insert their animated avatars in their myspace profile or send it as a surprise e-card.



The latest facial animation software is designed to recreate 3D models from full front face portraits with closed mouths and a relaxed expression. It is very sensitive to anomalies of digital pictures like color (over-exposed areas) or shape (open mouth, side views).



You only need a digital picture of your face to create a video animation with sound. An online service, http://www.image-me.com will do the rest for you.



The red crosses on the examples below show wrong pictures and the green ticked ones, the right photos to animate.


By: directx

It used to be that you’d be burned at the stake if you tried to perform such brazen acts of witchcraft, but since that is no longer the case, feel free to give the EZ3D Picture Frame from DigiGear a try. The picture frame works in conjunction with DigiGear’s software that plays dress up with your digital pictures. After a few alterations, users print out the picture onto ordinary paper and mount it onto the EZ3D Picture Frame. Your pictures are now 3D! Or so we’re lead to believe. Short of actually seeing this in-person, we’re acting on blind faith, but that hasn’t stopped us before.

The degree to which this works is, again, hard to make out from low quality JPEGs posted on DigiGear’s Web site, but at least its $29.95 price tag won’t break the ol’ piggy bank. – Nicholas Deleon

Product Page [DigiGear via The Red Ferret Journal]

(Click Image to Enlarge)

Instructables has another great guide. This time a HOWTO for a DIY 3D Anaglyph attachment:
“This device lets you take 3D anaglyph photos and movies with an ordinary camera. The parts cost about . It’s pretty simple to build and you don’t need any special softare or camera equipment. Please […]

(Click Image to Enlarge)

[via] Check out Sketchup; a free 3D Modeling application put out by Google.
“Google SketchUp (free) is an easy-to-learn 3D modeling program whose few simple tools enable you to create 3D models of houses, sheds, decks, home additions, woodworking projects - even space ships. You can add details, textures and glass to your […]