Yesterday I did a guest post on Miss604.com about the big Monster Jam Monster Truck show this weekend. Thought I’d post the video and a few photos from the media event as they turned out pretty cool.
I’d never been inside a monster truck before and had a chance to climb around inside one.
Once again, my GoPro’s came in very handy. In this photo, I’m mounting the GoPro to one of the rollbars inside. You enter these trucks by walking under the outer shell and then climb up via some cutouts in the chasis:
which made this video possible:
(no GoPros were harmed during this video)
I love how the inside of BC Place looks like a hot air balloon:
One thing I get asked all the time about my 3D printers is where do I get the models that I print? I follow Thingiverse daily to see what others have created but sometimes you need something very specific. So you have to create it yourself.
One method I’ve used is 2D extrusion which how I made the page keeper gadget for a coworker.
Another method is called solid modelling. There is a relatively new website, called Tinkercad, that gives you the tools to create 3D objects right in your browser, for free. It is built on the WebGL platform so requires a modern browser (and in some cases, modern graphics cards) to run it…I used Chrome as Safari doesn’t currently support WebGL.
Using a number of different shapes you can add or subtract the shapes to build up your design.
You choose the height and the size of the shape using direct numeric entry or a slider.
Choosing the workplane allows you change the level or angle you’re working on.
The measure tool allows you to create a positionable ruler to assist with measurements of your design.
The top left menu item, “Print 3D”, is how you export your model. You can either export it to an *.STL file (which is compatible with other 3d software packages as well as the software I use to print with my 3d printer) or you can send it to a 3d printing service like Shapeways.com if you don’t own a 3d printer. They’ll print it for you, in a number of different material options and ship it to your door.
Here’s their quick start tutorial that should give you a better idea of how it works:
I wanted to design a mount that would allow me to attach my GoPro camera to a remote control quadcopter. I couldn’t find a design on Thingiverse so I toyed with modifying some other GoPro mounts on there for the purpose but nothing looked like it would work any better than simply duct taping the camera down.
I also didn’t want to modify the quadcopter at all so opted to use the same mount point for the battery which already has velcro to hold it in place. I did find a mount online that someone designed and printed with a 3d printer who was selling it but there wasn’t any good detail photos of it so I had to come up with my own version and used my calipers to measure everything.
It took a few iterations before I found a design that worked:
The final version (I had to print two of them):
Here’s the results of this mount attached to the quadcopter with GoPro camera installed:
Turned out pretty good! Now to design one that fits underneath the quadcopter for an unencumbered view.
Another cool thing about Tinkercad is that you are given a permalink to your design that you can share. Then others can make a copy of it and make other things with it. I did this with something I found on Thingiverse, a tool holder for my 3d printer, that was a cleverly designed mount for tools that are commonly used when operating the 3d printer. I thought the same object, minus the tool parts, would be great for mounting my webcam onto the printer. The creator of the tool holder had used Tinkercad to create it so it was easy to duplicate it and then erase the unneeded bits to make this:
So I made a couple versions, a big and small one depending on what you wanted to attach to the platform.
So far, I’ve been really impressed with Tinkercad. I’ve found it the easiest way to get designing something, without all the usual technical stuff. It did take a little getting used to and it was a little tricky to figure out the workplane stuff, but once I spent a little time with it, it got much easier. I also now have two different designs that I have successfully printed and are working great.
There’s also a newer beta version you can try out at labs.tinkercad.com.
Figured an update was in order since I’ve been pretty busy with lots of things since the summer.
A few nights before halloween, I figured it was time to carve up a pumpkin down at my local indoor shooting range:
and practice for the upcoming zombie apocalypse with a 9mm and shotgun.
Of course, this was all preparation for me to shoot real zombies, however instead of with a 9mm handgun, I used my DSLR to cover the annual Thrill the World Vancouver event. They set a new record for the number of zombies simultaneously dancing to Michael Jackson’s Thriller – 434! They also raised over $4400 for the food bank.
This year’s event was at night which presented some photographic challenges but that’s what giant LED light boxes are for.
At the end of September I visited Fairmont Hot Springs, BC. and did a couple of guest blog posts over at Miss604.com. Easily the highlight for me was the hidden natural hot springs waterfall:
and I used my GoPro to capture the salmon run that was happening underneath my kayak while on a sightseeing tour:
I also got up close and personal with a bear cub on the resort grounds:
I had actually just finished in the spa and was following the bear cub around in my robe and flip flops. The momma bear wasn’t in the area…we saw her the next day and she was as big as a VW beetle.
Speaking of furry animals, I also got a new kitten recently. A female orange tabby that I’ve named Pixel:
She’s adorable…and is growing up quickly. She’s a Mac fan too!
And lastly, this year I’ve decided to throw my face into the ring (?) and participate in Movember. I’m actually going to grow my facial hair, even though I can just print a mustache on my 3D printer:
I’ve lost a number of people I care about recently to cancer and figured it was time to endure a month of awkward looks with a creepy janitor-esque mustache. Although I may try and do a fu man chu if my follicles play along. If you’d like to donate, please visit my Movember page. I thank you in advance for your support.
Bre’s passion for this technology was a huge reason for me buying my own Thing-o-Matic 3D printer and getting into 3D printing in the first place. I think the video captures this quite well along with perfectly explaining the reasons why I think 3D printers are a huge disruptive technology that is in people’s hands right now, thanks to people like Bre.
Easily the highest resolution model I’ve printed so far on my MakerBot coming in at a whopping 147mb (versus 1-5mb for a complex model on average). It took forever to render the toolpath in Replicator G but was worth it!
It took just under 3 hours to print this hollow (0% infill with 1 extra shell for those that care):
Note the clean white lighting inside the MakerBot – another upgrade performed this weekend to go with the green LED lighting which I can switch between or use both for a softer green light effect.
Aside from a few dropped loops that cleaned up easily, it printed really well. A dropped loop happened in his mouth that makes it look like he’s sticking his 900 year old tongue out.
I think I’ll scale this model down a bit (there is already a lower res model derivative on Thingaverse) and make a small army of them for friends.
Waiting for the Lucasfilm take down notice in 3…2…1…
I stumbled across this clever animated short film called FULL PRINTED about how 3D printing is useful as well as a potential future of this technology.
I don’t often watch the fireworks from the beach, but thanks to some free tickets, I was able to view them from the bleachers at English Bay. We showed up just before the show started thanks to assigned seating and got out of there as soon as it was over easily.
Since I had a guaranteed seat on a stable grandstand, I decided to bring my camera and tripod and shoot some photos. I’ve never been happy with my photos of the fireworks but it’s usually because I can’t be bothered to try different settings once it’s all setup…not to mention the ‘randomness’ of the fireworks display and trying to capture just the right shot.
So, I decided to package up all my photos taken during the evening, about 550 of them, into a time-lapse where you can view the entire display in about 40 seconds:
Can’t promise it will always be on but will try to record interesting prints and live stream as much as possible.
If you have any suggestions for better/free ‘webcasting/recording’ software that is Mac compatible, drop a comment as I’m not entirely happy with the UStream option. I’d like to at least record in HD if not broadcast in HD as well.
