The Cat has His First Prototype

After a lot of cutting and struggles I finally got a prototype going for which I can improve the template and continue forward.

 

Here is the pattern I made to look nicer in Illustrator after I cut it out!

 

 

I put the cat together with the help of some tape.  Strong glue would be a lot better. I'll use my 6000 glue for the next one.  I marked spots that needed a tab with a blue marker, and spots that needed a tag removed with a gold marker so I could fix it in illustrator.

 

Looking back I wish I had made the back a simpler shape so it would be easier to fold, however I can definitely make it work as long as it's the first thing that I fold and glue.  Overall I really like how this came out! It would be a lot easier to make with bigger paper but the size, I think, makes it really cute! 

 

10 Polyfaceted Paper Project Pieces in Rhynoceros 5

Here was another wonderful chance to play around with Rhino!  I really love this program and can see myself using it again and again!  Here I created a many faceted form and then unwrapped it to make a foldable piece.  (However I still must take them into Photoshop and add tabs for gluing)


1. Kitten

2. Alien Pyramid

3. Bizarre Form




4. Boat

5. Little Dragon

6. Display Box

7. Nervous Raptor

8. Archway

9. Fox

10. Heart

 

I came across multiple difficulties and successes during the creation of these!  Putting it together was simple enough once I figured it out, however I found it difficult to understand how to properly join and cut out portion without manually putting the pieces in.  The biggest struggles for me was unfolding the pieces.  It was difficult to make sure that the pieces didn't overlap, and some of them I had to outright make into a separate piece to cut out because it was too difficult to include.  Another issue was trying to keep it at a decent ratio to a piece of paper.  With more complex pieces like the dragon I had to focus on just unwrapping it without overlapping pieces, but the more simple ones I could unfold in a more organized manner.  I really loved the complexity you could achieve by manually creating pieces!  Osnap was really helpful in that I could create my own guidelines and build shapes by snapping them in place.

Warming Up to Rhinoceros 5.0

I think I might be going a little far with a couple of the forms in this project ^^'  This is a tough program but I'm really warming up to it! It can be really tricky but I'm learning some things about it!  They won't all be this complex (I wish I have enough time to do some really cool forms) I can really see having some fun with this program! I think I might buy it so that I can make some more paper projects beyond this one!  Maybe even do some commissions of people's characters in paper form?  It'd be fun because then I could send them the paper file instead of shipping!

Zim and Zou's Colourful Papercraft Discussion

Today's blog entry features a certain art process which I have the utmost admiration for.  Paper crafting is something that requires precision, patience, a steady hand, and proper planning.  Today we are specifically looking at Zim and Zou's brightly coloured paper craft creations! The main feature today is their work called Back to Basics, which includes highly colourful version of many retro technologies that many of us grew up with. 

 

Before I continue I would like to link their website!

http://zimandzou.fr/projects

 

And this is the link to the project itself!

Back To Basics:  http://zimandzou.fr/back-to-basics

This is a process video that they have made showing just a portion of the work they had to put into it.

 

Here are the two setting up the photoshoot

 

 

 

It is really amazing to see these creations before they are fully put together! You can really see the work put into it

 

The artistic duo stated that this project has taken about a year to be completed and it currently sits in the Chicago Design Museum.  This is totally understandable even just by looking at their work.  Look at the delicate detail on the camera, and all the delicate lines on the polaroid camera.  The video even shows that it is all created with rulers and Xacto knives, not with some special equipment.  The colourfulness of this project really brings forth something unique.  It really brings out the details in these retro pieces which would normally be looked over with their natural colours.  It also could symbolize the brightness that sometimes our nostalgia can bring to a memory, and how when we remember things, sometimes we make it more "colourful" than it actually was.  That is another brilliant thing about this piece, Zim and Zou do not seem to discuss the meanings behind their pieces leaving it up to the viewers to ask whether there actually is a meaning or not.

 

As a person who has had to recently learn the process of cutting paper with a Xacto knife for a project, I can say with a little added experience, that Zim and Zou are truly incredible artists.   Paper craft in general requires a great deal of forethought and precision.  It is not a guessing game.  Every cut, and every action is pre-conceived.  This is because paper itself is not very moldable like clay, but instead you have to piece it together precisely, as such, if something is off it can be difficult to fix.  It seems that most of the creative process is spent on the planning ahead of time.  Now the cutting itself has to take a lot of patience and precision.  It is very easy to stray with the knife.  Another note: the artists are very ecofriendly, stating that they only use PEFC papers and that they use as much of their scraps as possible. 

 

I absolutely adore bright colours!  This is originally what attracted me to the work of Zim and Zou's paper craft.  As to this work specifically, I love the detail put into this piece.  I think it is absolutely amazing! No detail is missed and it is so accurate to the real thing.  I also love the nostalgia that this piece brings me, and it makes me wish that these products actually existed in these colours.  I also love paper craft, I love the sharpness of its creations.  It usually has harsh shapes and lines that clearly define the parts of the creation.  I love defined features so much, that my drawing style tends to lean to more definition of features than less.    The attention to detail is astounding and inspiring, and is something that I am working towards having more of.

Geometric Patterns Created in Illustrator

I've created 25 different geometric patterns in Adobe Illustrator to practice some new tools I've learned!  I honestly really love the pen tool.  I usually use Photoshop for my artwork but Illustrator is a great deal better for more steady, perfect shapes! 

Caterus: The Final Remixed Form

After looking at my concepts from my last blog post and asking feedback from classmates and friends it seems that my original concept of Caterus was the most liked which I had no issue with as I held a certain fondness for it as well!    The credits for original object used are underneath the final product images.

 

 Here is the original concept meshed using Tinkercad!

 

I have shown a certain number of people this project I got a bunch of feedback!  Many of them said that they quite liked the concept of turning Cerberus into a cat.  Also, many people liked the fact that I added skulls onto it since it was a guardian of the gates of Tartarus!  Someone added that I should add more skeleton elements to this design, such as a backbone, and that got me thinking on the track of making a more creepy design.    I started to add more spikes and a backbone.  I quite like this idea more than the original because the design now looks more unified in its theme rather than just a cat with skeleton heads.  I sculpted in some elements as well as the remix to try and make a more connected design.  

 

Below is the final unified Caterus design created in Meshmixer!

 

 

 

Original Objects:

I had to use premade models in order to remix in the first place! Here are photos as well as links to the original models that I remixed.  All of these I found on the site Thingiverse.

 

 

Cat Skull by Bfince
Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1732935

 

 

BodyParts3D Lumbar Vertebrae by: Cbonsig

Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:31845

 

Leopard by YahooJAPAN

Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:182228

 

 

Thingiverse Upload: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1803952

 

After finishing the remix I uploaded my project to Thingiverse where anyone can download it, 3D print it, or even remix it further! I had to update my entry, and for some reason the Thingiview did not come back.  I am going to try and figure out why Thingiverse decided to remove it.

Caterus and Remix Culture

Remix culture is truly incredible and I am glad that I live in a time where a large variety of media is easily accessible!  I remixed different skeleton pieces with a leopard body to show Cerberus's connection with death.  I also felt that using elements such as the spinal cord and the cat skulls made the cat more creepy which would be a great deal more fitting for a guardian of the underworld.  I remixed the elements to make something even more than Cerberus, instead of a dog with three heads simply exchanged with a cat, I wanted it to feel more terrifying, maybe even perhaps sitting somewhere in the uncanny valley.  It looks like a cat, but parts of it are still rather off.

 

All the objects use have different symbols and ideas that we put behind them.  Spinal cords and skulls tend to represent the idea of death in our minds.  They also tend to be what we consider the basis of life in a way, a basis for the rest of the body to be formed around.  Leopards/cats tend to hold a certain elegance and beauty to them.  Cats are also considered cute, and cuddly, however, cats can also be considered eerie and mysterious.  By combining the skeletal elements with the cat, I feel that it brings out the more creepy symbolism of cats.  (Even though Caterus is still rather cute in my eyes.)  But beyond creepy, the combination of the skull and cat brings out more than that.  It brings out a feeling of power, as if this creature were a god of death.   The juxtaposition in death's raw elements and a playful feline,  make a powerful looking creature with both mystical powers as well as stealth.  I quite like the mystical feeling the elements contrasted create.  I tried to juxtapose a living creature with a dead one to create the idea of an undead element, showing something much darker at play.  As well, cats are very energetic and full of life, so combining that with death also creates the idea of power and magic. 

Finding a New Meaning Through Combination: 3D Model Remixing Concepts

So I was recently learning about remix culture and decided to give it a try myself!  What exactly is remix culture?  Well it is this fantastic process of multiple people combining various ideas to create something new and interesting!  It had been happening for a very long time and is seen everywhere.  It can be anything from literally meshing two object together to having multiple people modify a program!  It directly involves people with the media that they surround themselves with and allows them to personalize and create their own meanings from juxtaposing different ideas/ objects with their own unique symbols.  Here are a few remix concepts to both give you an idea of what it can be, as well as explore what new meanings can be found from various 3D models being thrown together.

CONCEPT GENERATION

 

Concept 1: The Drat

 

So you may be wondering why on earth would you ever combine these two items?  The truth is I love both cats and dragons, but I also wanted to show how using a cat as a basis for something can make anything seem adorable!  I mean, imagine flying cats.  How great would that be?

Resources:

Cat (standing up) by: Scintilla
Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:102957

Dragon by: TheRat
Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4096



Concept 2: The Devolution of the Bird

 

I have always been fascinated at how such small adorable creatures like birds could be evolved from dinosaurs.  It truly is an amazing process!  I decided to combine the past and the present with this abomination and show how despite the differences it still comes together fairly well, showing that despite the massive change the roots are still there.  I also added skeletal parts to show how our knowledge of all this came from fossils.  Plus, who doesn't like cool skeleton parts?

Resources:

AB Bird by: xxAnnelise

Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1458184

 

T-Rex Sliced for Printing 2X Larger by: MacGyver

Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:31965

The Real Tyrannosaurus Skeleton by: Stargatedalek

Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1705422/#files

BodyParts3D Lumbar Vertebrae by: Cbonsig

Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:31845

100% Eagle by: Andypop

Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:164348



Concept 3: Goddess of Death

Recently a potential commissioner expressed an interest in me designing an angel for him.  That started the ball rolling in the direction of alternate angels as well as various gods and goddesses.  I've always loved the idea of the idea of a halo being secured by horns or a helmet.  I have also loved the concept of multiple wings on a character/creature, it adds the feeling of power and strength.  The skull and armor without a body is to represent the idea of death.  The skull from a human and the armour to show a more ghostly form is held by the goddess.  Often these gods are portrayed as being more gentle or beautiful, but I always thought that if these character were responsible for the afterlife that they would resemble what death was. 

 

Resources:

Human Skulls with 5 shoots to keep pencil, pen or knife by Fergonsi
Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1598160/apps/#apps

Lady Sif Armor by: 3DPVDB
Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1733743

Bushbuck Horns by: P3ddp
Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1139112

Wings by MatthewKrebs
Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:651316

Concept 4: Silvrae

You could argue that monsters are a remix of existing animals.  Many monsters are in fact culminations of different animal parts all mashed together to make something new!  This is why I included my original character Silvrae.  The picture is an old reference I'm made for her in 2014 (Which I really must update)  for the purpose of contrasting her with the 3D remix.  I wanted to try and recreate her in 3D format by remixing other creatures to show the process of monster creation

(If you wish to see a more recent picture of her here is one I did in 2015 ->http://www.deviantart.com/art/Silvrae-s-Lookout-540780372)

 

Resources:

Silvrae Reference Picture by Olivia Carr (Me)
Link: http://pteradragon.deviantart.com/art/Silvrae-479109422
 

Tiger by Yahoo JapanLink: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:182323

Snake (serpent) around big cross by Toliajo
Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1781930

Leaf variation by Rhuff
Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:99149

Glad-Octopus by Glad3Dprintable
Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:522008

Saint Seya, Shaina snake tiara by LordM
Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:270746



Concept 5: Adorable Impending Doom

All creatures are similar in that they work on primal instinct and not pure malevolence.  Just think about the larger cousins of our furry friends!  I bet that if the Xenomorphs from Alien were about the size of a cat they would play with boxes and run around like little maniacs just like other pets do.  There is something very appealing about a predator being fun-sized.

Resources:

Xenomorph Pretorian by Stryker123

Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1646592

Multipurpose Cat Ears-Necomimi edition by Teamtestbot
Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1085104

Birdhouse, Homeless birdhouse by Robertrop
Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:108871



Concept 6: Logic and Emotion

I created this remix to represent how its important to keep both your heart and mind, or your emotion and logic, balanced.  It can be very easy to let yourself become consumed by one or the other, but by using the seesaw I tried to show how its important to weigh them both when going through life.

Resources:

Heart by Kbirand
Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1147751

Seesaw by TerryBP
Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1223493

Steve Brain by St_Hilton
Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:706875/#files

 

 

 

Concept 7: Caterus

Meet Caterus, the long lost cousin of Cerberus who does not get any love.  I really like the idea of a reverse Cerberus with a cat instead of a dog.  I also figured that if Cerberus guarded the afterlife they should have some skulls!  It would be far creepier. 

Resources:

 

Cat Skull by Bfince
Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1732935

Leopard by YahooJAPAN
Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:182228



Concept 8: Multitasking Waiter

I have created the ultimate waiter!  The only problem is this little guy seems to have forgotten his uniform at home.  Shameful.  I thought it would be funny to combine pancake plates with a this guy and imagine him going around a breakfast place like Denny's or Cora's serving up food.  It would be a lot faster since more dishes could be carried at once, but also a lot scarier.  Also teaching giant centipedes to serve people would probably cost more than just hiring more waiters.  This remix seems to be a more efficient, but also more expensive, alternative.

Resources:

Parametric Pancakes by Kdloney
Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:232372
Centipede by YahooJAPAN
Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:182096

Concept 9: Has Science Gone Too Far?  (The answer is yes)

I thought I would use a bird, a bat, and a plane to combine different methods of flight.  We humans are not capable of flight without the assistance of planes, and soon cars (Terrafugia).  So I combined the natural with the man-made to create an amalgamate of flight.  I also remixed this to show how different things can be while still maintaining the same ability. 

 

 

Resources:

Fighter Jet by Nestor_d
Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:70853

Zbrush Bat by Kralzar
Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:227040

Chocobo (Fixed) + pedistal by Thelastreturn
Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1789814

Concept 10: Close Connections

 

 My brother being a musician has taught me a bit about the music world.  I love the interconnectedness of technology and more physical objects.  Take for instance music, there is mustic generated by instruments and music entirely created on the computer.  But then there is also music that combines both entirely!  Digital and traditional music are more connected than many think and I think its a wonderful thing.  They rely on each other, just as these two objects are both leaning on one another, as well as being connected by the headphone cord.

Resources:

Trumpet by Bballgth
Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:554576

Headphones by Brianferrara
Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:873542

Snake (serpent) around big cross by Toliajo
Link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1781930

 

All of the resources above are from users on Thingiverse.  Any references are attributed to the individual's Thingiverse account.  I combined them in a program called Tinkercad!  It is a really easy to use and free program to get out any 3D ideas you want to generate!