"CAD Contraptions" are a set of physical, immersive models that a user interacts with to change an aspect or parameter in modeling software. The ideal user for this project is a beginner to modeling software who doesn’t know where to start. CAD Contraptions aims to make the process more engaging, intuitive, and understandable through a series of handheld devices that tie action verbs to use of specific commands

Thesis

Precedents: Conceptual

The Logitech Craft

At its core, a basic input dial. The touch-sensitive control lets you feel your way through your creation for a more efficient and immersive workflow.

Gravity Sketch

An intuitive VR design platform uses a set of handheld controllers to design rather than the regular mouse and key system. This allows users to collaborate and create in an entirely new way.

Precedents: Technical

Zoom Focus

By former NuVu student Pierre Belizaire, Zoom Focus is designed to make staying engaged on Zoom easier by replacing rather boring tasks with more interactive and less tedious physical devices.

Virtual Pottery Wheel

By l’Artisan Électronique, this project, instead of using clay, uses a sensor that reacts to your hand movement that displays the model digitally. Once you are satisfied with the digital model, it will be 3D printed.

Original Project

Rhinoceros Controller: A handheld device that aims to enhance the way that the user interacts with 3D modeling software with a more direct connection.

Iteration 1: Concept Identification

Re-developing the concept was a core part of our first week, as we looked more towards helping beginners through different tactile objects.

Iteration 1: Arduino Exploration

Early on, we were looking at possible sensors and devices we could use to translate to action verbs; e.g., slider translates to an "extrude curve."

Iteration 1: Grasshopper Prototype

Iteration 2: Object & Command Explorations

Tea Pot

Works a lot with curves and lines and finding ways to manipulate them into 3D shapes.

Rubber Duckie

Is mainly several control points that are dragged around along with a basic material and texturing introduction.

Lunch Box

Illustrates how to change parameters of an object to look more organic and appealing.

Iteration 2: Designing After Mid-Review

We entered a phase of rapid prototyping and sketching where we started to put together separate gadgets that could possibly be used in our final design.

Storyboard/Use Case

Iteration 3: Grasshopper Parameters

Body Shape

The body shape is determined by the positions of three control points which form a curve. The curve is then turned around a central axis forming a 3-D shape, sort of like a pottery wheel.

Handle Shape

The handle shape is determined by the positions of three control points. Two of the points are located on the body shape curve, and the third is the intersection of the other points. These points form a curve, along which is a cylinder that forms the handle.

Iteration 3: Grasshopper Parameters

Spout Shape

The vector of the offset start point is used to determine the location and length of the spout.

Spout Start Point

The point where the spout begins is along a body shape curve that is rotated 180° on the central axis. The point is offset inward to integrate the spout into the body.

Final Models: Rotation Widget

Final Models: Polyline Widget

Final Models: Revolve Widget

Final Models: Scale Widget

Final Models: Docking Station

Revolve

Rotation (x3)

Polyline

Scale

Studio Brief

Computer graphics have long been utilized as a means to visualize and illuminate the natural world. More recently, generative software and artificial intelligence have empowered us to rationalize complex natural phenomena like viral protein structures, gravitational distortion caused by black holes, or complex patterns found on the scales of pufferfish. These simulations have helped expand our understanding of nature, and provide scaffolding for scientific discovery. 

In the first studio session of the Winter Term, students examined these topics through a series of procedural modeling exercises utilizing the software Houdini FX. Students explored topics such as the growth patterns of snowflake crystals, the formation of tornadoes, and the self-organizing behaviors demonstrated by schools of fish. 

Building on the technical and conceptual experience gained during Session 1, students in the second session worked in teams to construct, animate, and edit a visual campaign informed by a natural event or phenomena. The teams explored current and compelling global issues with the objective of enlightening audiences through a provocative and educational piece. Through this studio, students have been introduced to a variety of cinematography, rigging, and animation techniques while developing a sensitivity to narrative construction, composition, and lighting

Vectors

Schlieren Optics

Pyro

Fluids

Snowflakes

Session 1

Exercises

Session 1

Project 1

Eye Agagte

Elbaite

Bismuth

L-Systems

Hematite

Genetic mutation in cats

Amethyst

Session 1 Project 2

Mask Simulation

Whirlpool

Fish Flocking

Lightning

Weather Simulation

Bioluminescence

Orbital Debris

Session 2

Script

Storyboard

Animatic

Session 2 Projects

Biomass Degradation

Nuclear Now

Birds of a feather

Stranger Slime

Into the Deep

Debris

Siena Jekel and Cole Krivak

Into the Deep

Debris is a short animated film exploring the relationship between the deep sea and pollution. It is a place so remote and unexplored yet is still being affected by today's excessive waste. Through the use of the 3D modeling program Blender, the life of a anglerfish and the blight of its habitat is simulated.

Environment

Lighting

Characters

Asset Creation

Process

Reference

Reference

Model

Model

Texture

Texture

Rig and Animate

Rig and Animate

Environment Process

Post Production

Final Images

Final Images

Social Shield aims to bring awareness to the issue of peer judgment/pressure in young adults around following fashion trends. This issue is important because this kind of pressure can hinder young adults from expressing themselves through clothes which is crucial for the development of their identity, self-confidence, and sense of belonging to the world. This piece impacts the viewer by indirectly unsettling them and making them uncomfortable with the notion that they might be contributing to this issue, providing them with an opportunity to reflect.

moodboard

sketches

sketch anara

flat pattern diagram

Most cases of mild insomnia are related to poor sleep habits, anxiety, or lack of exercise. Poor sleep habits are tied to a lack of routine and balance between rest and physical activity. This project 'Waves' aims to work with light as a regulating medium to help users maintain a healthy sleep hygiene. Its form is inspired by the solar reflections (sun glitter) on the ocean surface. Through variable illumination and surface forms, it captures both the quiet and peaceful moments at the sea as well as more aggressive and active moments.

Computational Patterns And Processes

What is Sleep Hygiene?

Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day

Follow sunrise and sunset

Relax before bed

Be active and get lots of sunlight during the day

Verilux HappyLight

Retimer Light Therapy Glasses

Dyson Lightcycle

7:00 am Wake up

7:00-7:30 Personal care

7:30-8:00 Eating and drinking

8:00-8:30 Commute to work

Work 8:30-5:30

Work 8:30-5:30

Work 8:30-5:30

Work 8:30-5:30

Work 8:30-5:30

Work 8:30-5:30

5:30-6:00 Commute home

6:00-9:00 Socialize, relax, and leisure

Sleep 9:30-7:00

Sketches

7:00 Am

12:00 Pm

7:00 Pm

Cams

Wave Surface

LED Holder

Cam Follower

Gear

DC Motor

Bowl

Guiders

Winter Sunrise

Fall Morning

Summer Midday

Spring Afternoon

Boston Buoys is an interactive and educational installation art piece that is designed to teach about rising sea levels in Boston and how it will affect the coastline. The Buoys are classic lobster buoys suspended over the sidewalk, using a 6ft steel chain anchored to the concrete below. The buoys are set in a thin layer of blue resin with a water pattern to represent the ocean and to cast an interesting shadow. Each buoy in the path has an individual QR code that then links to a website where information about a cause of sea-level rise is given, as well as steps the reader can personally take to reduce carbon levels.  

Project Statement

How can the effects of sea-level rise on Boston and it's coastline be shown via art in a personally impactful way?

Research Question

Climate change is all around us and unless anything changes, it will be our future. This can lead to a feeling of helplessness or drowning which is not conducive to progress in solving climate change. Part of this project is to illustrate that by having the resin be above most people's heads. But when the sunlight shines down through it in the calming wavy texture of rolling water, some hope can be seen and that is the goal. Boston Buoys should invoke a feeling of worry and concern but also a call to action, that something can be done.

Image from Saskai

CARS ARE GIVING THE FISH MORE LAND

Every day there are a combined 115 million cars and trucks hitting the road to get people and products where they need to be. While they were a technological feat and have improved life in numerous ways they still have their downsides, the average passenger car emits 4.6 tons of carbon dioxide per year. In total cars make up 29% of US gas emissions making them a serious problem for the environment and a factor that needs to change soon if there is any hope of saving the planet. 

How You Can Help:

The number one best way to combat your carbon footprint is to take public transportation, whether that is buses or trains. Trains are 3 to 4 times more efficient than most cars and trucks and move lots of people at the same time. Other more complicated ways are buying an electric car which in the future will hopefully be cheaper. 

probably delete

Precedents

Tileform is a collaborative resource management game about overcoming differences while building a sustainable community. Each player has different goals they must complete to win. This simulates the potential collaboration, competition, and conflict that arises when stakeholders have varying motivations. Playing this game should create conversations about the complex relationships and power dynamics between communities, companies, and governments as they work together to address climate change.

Game Research

Simplification

Manufacturing

Final Photos

Final Photos

Final Photos

Project Thesis

Heron in Trenaya is a short animation film about the impact of hydropower plants on birds and their surrounding ecosystem. While this film is based on a fictional town, it’s inspired by real-life situations and is driven by public domain data. This film is intended for individuals aged 13 years and above to educate and motivate the audience to provide alternate perspectives in a healthy manner to their respective governments. 

This 2D animation film employs workflows from Rhino, Illustrator, Photoshop, Blender Grease Pencil, Adobe Premiere Pro and Audacity

Precedents

Youtube Animation - Odd1sout, Illymation

True costs of damming a river

TedEd - Vultures

Scale of the Universe

Storyboard Snippet



Script Snippet



Interviews

Species we spoke about  -

- Vulture (Medicine-Cow-Vulture)

- Pide cockoo (Indication of Rain)

- Common Hawk (Indication for farmers to start work)

- Indian eagle bird

- Sunbird (Like a hummingbird)(Pollination? Can I find videos?)

- Raw Bird Footage

- Vulture Could be a common topic

- Explore don't confide!



Sanctuaries 

- Indian Birds 

- Birds of Pune 

- Birds of Maharashtra 

- Bharatpur Sanctuary 

- Sanctuary Asia 

Sketches Snippet



Rendering Exercises

Perspective & Figure Drawing Exercises

Rhino-Illustrator Workflow (Pt. 1)

Rhino-Illustrator Workflow Pt. 2

Blender - Rigging (Bone Workflow)

Sound Mixing - Narration, SFX & BGM

Editing Process

Final Video

Thank you Robert, Rob & Ariya

Ariya - Hydropower Plant Owner

Boston Buoys is an interactive and educational installation art piece that is designed to teach about rising sea levels in Boston and how it will affect the coastline. The Buoys are classic lobster buoys suspended over the sidewalk using a 6ft steel chain anchored to the concrete below. The buoys are set in a thin layer of blue resin with a water pattern to represent the ocean and to cast an interesting shadow. Each buoy in the path has an individual QR code that then links to a website where information about a cause of sea-level rise is given, as well as steps the reader can personally take to reduce .  

Project Statement

Image from Saskai

CARS ARE GIVING THE FISH MORE LAND

Every day there are a combined 115 million cars and trucks hitting the road to get people and products where they need to be. While they were a technological feat and have improved life in numerous ways they still have their downsides, the average passenger car emits 4.6 tons of carbon dioxide per year. In total cars make up 29% of US gas emissions making them a serious problem for the environment and a factor that needs to change soon if there is any hope of saving the planet. 

How You Can Help:

The number one best way to combat your carbon footprint is to take public transportation, whether that is buses or trains. Trains are 3 to 4 times more efficient than most cars and trucks and move lots of people at the same time. Other more complicated ways are buying an electric car which in the future will hopefully be cheaper. 

probably delete

Precedents

Tileform is a collaborative resource management game about overcoming differences while building a sustainable community. Each player has different goals they must complete to win. This simulates the potential collaboration, competition, and conflict that arises when stakeholders have varying motivations. Playing this game should create conversations about the complex relationships and power dynamics between communities, companies, and governments as they work together to address climate change.

Game Research

Simplification

Manufacturing

Final Photos

Final Photos

Final Photos

What motivates transportation companies to cut maintenance budgets and how do people feel about their decisions?

Public Transportation is a visual novel game that addresses shortcomings of the consumer experience due to poor allocation of budgets and neglect. You play as a journalist investigating the problems with the subway system.

I want the game to feel slow and realistic, where choices matter. Where you go and who you talk to will determine what headlines and story you can write at the end.

Use Diagram

Map Design

Dialogue Concept

Final Map Design

Final Map Design

Environment Prototypes

Gray box gameplay