3D printing has been the hot topic in the maker world for years now, but there's another type of desktop manufacturing that's become the go-to choice for anyone who needs durable results fast. Instead of slowly depositing layers of plastic, a 3D carver starts with a solid block of material and carves it away using a rotating metal bit. It's faster than 3D printing, offers a wider choice of materials, and creates durable, permanent parts that look great. This book covers the basics of designing and making things with a 3D carver, and gives you several projects you can build yourself including a guitar, clock, earrings, and even a skateboard.
This text provides readers with an exploratory lens into the general world of the Fab Lab with an in-depth focus on two specific types of machinery: laser cutters and engravers. These machines give users the unique opportunity to create through the removal of material from its source. Included for readers are hands-on tips and tricks for operating laser cutters and engravers, providing a variety of projects for every experience level, all the while connecting these skills to real-world business models and careers. This title tackles the arts and design element of STEAM more than any other Fab Lab machines do.
Getting Started with CNC is the definitive introduction to working with affordable desktop and benchtop CNCs, written by the creator of the popular open hardware CNC, the Shapeoko. Accessible 3D printing introduced the masses to computer-controlled additive fabrication. But the flip side of that is subtractive fabrication: instead of adding material to create a shape like a 3D printer does, a CNC starts with a solid piece of material and takes away from it. Although inexpensive 3D printers can make great things with plastic, a CNC can carve highly durable pieces out of a block of aluminum, wood, and other materials. This book covers the fundamentals of designing for--and working with--affordable ($500-$3000) CNCs.
Do you like to build things? Are you ever frustrated at having to compromise your designs to fit whatever parts happen to be available? Would you like to fabricate your own parts? Build Your Own CNC Machine is the book to get you started. CNC expert Patrick Hood-Daniel and best-selling author James Kelly team up to show you how to construct your very own CNC machine. Then they go on to show you how to use it, how to document your designs in computer-aided design (CAD) programs, and how to output your designs as specifications and tool paths that feed into the CNC machine, controlling it as it builds whatever parts your imagination can dream up. Don't be intimidated by abbreviations like CNC and terms like computer-aided design. Patrick and James have chosen a CNC-machine design that is simple to fabricate. You need only basic woodworking skills and a budget of perhaps $500 to $1,000 to spend on the wood, a router, and various other parts that you'll need. With some patience and some follow-through, you'll soon be up and running with a really fun machine that'll unleash your creativity and turn your imagination into physical reality. The authors go on to show you how to test your machine, including configuring the software. Provides links for learning how to design and mill whatever you can dream up The perfect parent/child project that is also suitable for scouting groups, clubs, school shop classes, and other organizations that benefit from projects that foster skills development and teamwork No unusual tools needed beyond a circular saw and what you likely already have in your home toolbox Teaches you to design and mill your very own wooden and aluminum parts, toys, gadgets—whatever you can dream up
If you've recently purchased a CNC machine for your shop, or are just wanting to learn more about using one for woodworking and other crafts before you take the plunge, this is the book for you. You'll learn the basics behind the sometimes mystifying world of these fantastic machines, how to design your projects, which tools to use, how to painlessly convert your designs into language the CNC can understand, and pick up some tips on getting started in the shop and using your CNC safely. You'll find everything in simple non-technical language, that will move you from Newbie to Novice in easy-to-understand steps.
Getting Started in ZBrush is a gentle introduction to ZBrush, today’s premier digital sculpting program. Beginning with the fundamentals of digital sculpting as well as a thorough introduction to the user interface, Getting Started in ZBrush will have you creating a variety of professional‐level 3D models in no time. More than just another button‐pushing manual, this comprehensive guide is packed with start‐to‐finish projects that ease you into the workflow of the program, while at the same time providing tips and tricks that will allow you to achieve certain tasks much more quickly. After progressing through the tutorials, you will be shown how to customize brushes, materials, scripts, and the interface so that you can utilize these tools to their full advantage. Special consideration is given to ZBrush’s integration plug‐ins with Maya and 3ds Max, allowing you to properly import and export your models in all programs. Texturing, painting, mapping, decimation, baking, and topology are also fully covered, so your Zbrush creations can come to life without sacrificing that high‐resolution look. Ease your way into this complex subject with this straight‐forward approach to Zbrush Perfect your technique with step‐by‐step tutorials that allow you to create high‐resolution models from start to finish Expand your knowledge by visiting the companion website, which features video demonstrations, project files, texture and model files, scripts, customized menus, brushes, and additional resources Written with the digital beginner in mind, this book will teach you all of the necessary information to begin working in ZBrush to create magnificent works of digital artwork! Through this book, ZBrush will empower you to be the digital artist you always wanted to be.
· A complete beginner-friendly manual to understanding the fundamentals, machinery, software, tools, and materials of CNC (Computer Numerical Control) · Features hands-on projects that incorporate various concepts and 2-1/2 D carving techniques in CNC machining to truly immerse the reader in several methods and practices, even how to overcome limitations of 3-axis CNC machines · Informational chapters are written in an easy-to-understand format that’s approachable and beginner-friendly · Clear instructions, diagrams, illustrations, software screenshots, and photography provided throughout · General instructions and CNC principles apply to a wide range of software and machine brands
In clear, straightforward language, Sayers carefully guides the reader through the fundamentals — what tools and materials to use and how to use them. Still the finest book for the beginning student in wood sculpture.
Getting Started in ZBrush is a gentle introduction to ZBrush, today’s premier digital sculpting program. Beginning with the fundamentals of digital sculpting as well as a thorough introduction to the user interface, Getting Started in ZBrush will have you creating a variety of professional-level 3D models in no-time. More than just another button-pushing manual, this comprehensive guide is packed with start-to-finish projects that ease you into the workflow of the program, while at the same time providing tips and tricks that will allow you to achieve certain tasks much more quickly. After progressing through the tutorials, you will be shown how to customize brushes, materials, scripts, and the interface so that you can utilize these tools to their full advantage. Special consideration is given to ZBrush’s integration plug-ins with Maya and 3ds Max, allowing you to properly import and export your models in all programs. Texturing, painting, mapping, decimation, baking, and topology are also fully covered so your Zbrush creations can come to life without sacrificing that high-resolution look. Ease your way into this complex subject with this straight-forward approach to ZBrush Perfect your technique with step-by-step tutorials that allow you to create high res models from start to finish. Expand your knowledge by visiting the companion website, which features video demonstrations, project files, texture and model files, scripts, customized menus, brushes, and additional resources.
