3D Visualization and Rapid  Prototyping

Arizona State University

Spring Semester, 1998

Instructors:  Dan Collins and Anshuman Razdan
Course numbers:  ARA 494 #97911 and ARA 598 #49023 (College of Fine Art)
Class meetings: T/Th 3:40 - 5:00
Location:  GWC529  or GWC 302 as needed (both in College of Engineering, Goldwater Building)
Credits:  3 hours
Offices / Phones:  Collins:  Tower A 105 (5-8311).  Razdan:  GWC 574 (5-5368)
Office Hours:  Collins:  by appointment.  Razdan:  by appointment. Razdan's calendar can be viewed at http://taurus.eas.asu.edu/calendar. Use prism as login and password.
e-mail addresses:  Collins: dan.collins@asu.edu and Razdan: razdan@asu.edu
Web Page: Web page for this class including this page can be found at http://surdas.eas.asu.edu/~razdan/Class/3dvizrp.
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Description

This studio / seminar will introduce the concepts of computer visualization, modeling, and rapid prototyping in an interdisciplinary manner.  Students will be challenged to model and prototype objects of  their own design using 3D computer modeling techniques and rapid prototyping.  Theoretical and historical lecture/discussion will be supplemented with visiting artists/engineers/scholars and field trips.

Objectives of the course

  1.  Introduction to data acquisition, computer visualization/modeling, and form realization techniques;
  2. Introduction of the history and theory of modeling and prototyping to  provide a context--and possible alternative-- to current practice;
  3. Experience in working as part of a collaborative team comprised of artists/scientists;
  4. Overview of current research done in Industry (both in the arts and sciences) employing data acquisition techniques of various kinds, visualization, 3D modeling and/or rapid prototyping.

Prerequisites

Minimum requirements:  Interest in 3D, general computer experience,  and willingness to learn.  A commitment to the course. Background in computerized 3D solid modeling.

Text(s)
Photocopied articles and readings will be provided by the instructors.  All required and optional readings will be on 2 hour Reserve at the Hayden Library.

Grading
Grades will be based on a combination of factors:   success in working as part of an interdisciplinary team; quality/quantity of objects produced;
participation in class discussion.   Breakdown of grade is as follows:

  • Class participation (reading, discussion, attendance) 15%
  • Three "team investigation" presentations 15%
  • Final team project 35%.
  • Personal research project 35%.

    •  
    Attendance is critical as we will be moving through a lot of material very quickly.  Please contact Dan Collins or Anshuman Razdan ahead if you cannot attend for good reason.

    Topics
    Critical / theoretical / historical issues from the arts /design /engineering fields will be introduced.  Examples of interdisiplinary
    issues of relevance to both artists and scientists:  the problem of the copy versus the original; scanned information derived from real-world
    objects vs.synthetically generated objects;  fine art objectives with engineering tools--engineering objectives with "fine art" attitudes;
    reverse engineering; static vs. dynamic 3D modeling; morphing of conventional material for various purposes such as exploration of vantage
    point; form/fit analysis; critique of current industrial design objects; architectural modeling for rapid prototyping; hi-tech molding and foundry
    techniques; practical topics related to engineering/computer science.

    Synopsis of Key Dates
     

  • January 19      Ist day of the semester.  Martin Luther King Day (Classes excused)
  • January 20      First day of classes.  Syllabus.  Introductions. Expectations for class (GWC 529 B)
  • January 22      Meet at Computing Commons Auditorium at 3:00 pm for lecture.  Reception to follow.
  • February 5      Submission of personal project outline
  • February 10    Team presentation on Data Acquistion
  • February 13    Unrestricted withdrawal
  • February 24    Team presentation on Visualization/Modeling
  • March 12        Team presentation on Form Realization
  • March 15 - 20   Spring break (Classes excused)
  • March 26        Personal project progress report
  • April 7           Team project progress critique
  • April 14         Team project progress critique
  • April 21         Team project:  FINAL critique
  • May 5             Individual projects:  FINAL critique.  Final day of class.
  • May 8-14       Final Exams (no exam given)

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    Calendar:

    While the course follows a logical sequence, the order of readings and activities will be determined in part by events, the character of in-class  discussion,  and the availability of guest speakers / lab access.  We reserve the right to change the activities outlined below to respond to unforeseen circumstances. Note the meeting place.

    January

    20      First day of class.  Introductions.  Discussion of individual versus team approach.
    22      Overview of the lab via lecture at CC Auditorium.  Reception in CC Gallery, 4-5:30.
    27      Data management.  Data acquisition:  Overview of data acquisition. 3D Laser scanning   (lecture/demo in GWC 302)
    29      Data acquisition:  Laser scanning (hands on project GWC 331).

    February

    3       Data acquisition:  GWC 331 and computing commons gallery (remember which group you belong to). Handout Team assignments.
    5       Microscopic  data.  Scanning probe and Confocal microscopy (field trip to INVSEE project, Dr. Ramakrishna; BioScience, Chuck Kazilek).
    10      Team assignments / Submission of personal project outline. Team Investigation:  Paper/project presentation on Data Acquisition techniques (min. 3 page synopsis with visual examples and references to be submitted concurently)
    12      Visualization and modeling:  Overview of Visualization; Review of 3D solid modeling (history/concepts/vocabulary)
    17      Visualization and modeling:  3D solid modeling software demos
    19      Open Studio / Team assignments
    24      Team Investigation:  Paper/project presentation on Visualization/Modeling techniques (min. 3 page synopsis with visual examples and references to be  submitted concurently)
    26      Form Realization:  Overview of automated manufacturing (history/concepts/vocabulary)

    March

    3       Form Realization:  CNC milling (field trip to Chell Robert's CNC facility)
    5       Form Realization:  Layered manufacturing overview.  Mack Industries, DTM video and others. Demo of JP5. Fused deposition modeling (Stratasys Genisys and FDM 1650)
    10      Team assignments / Open studio
    12      Team Investigation:  Paper/project presentation on Form Realization techniques (min. 3 page synopsis with visual examples and references to be submitted concurently
    17      Spring break
    19      Spring break
    24      Mid semester brainstorming session with entire class:  develop possible avenues for team product/sculpture development in engineering, art, and/or design. Team formation for final project.
    26      Personal project progress report.
    31      Open Studio

    April

    7       Team project progress critiques:  concept "sketches"; Methods identified.
    9       Open Studio
    14     Team project progress critiques:  3D models completed.
    16     Open Studio
    21     Team project:  FINAL critiques
    23     Open Studio
    28     Open Studio
    30     Open Studio

    May

    5       Individual project critiques:  Final presentation of semester project.  Be prepared to stay until we're finished.  Each class member will have 15 minutes. (3 hours minimum)

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