COURSE DESCRIPTION
For students who have prior experience working with 3D modeling software, this course is intended to provide continued instruction and guidance to deepen and expand digital design skills. Course work will be structured to develop a more sophisticated understanding of important digital tools, techniques, and concepts for object designers. The popular modeling software, Rhinoceros will be the primary application for the course, but other complementary applications and plug-ins will be incorporated for parametric design, rendering, and digital fabrication with CNC routing and 3D printing. Projects are structured to build specific technical skills but will also provide challenging formal, functional, and conceptual design problems. When feasible, projects will have a physical object as the deliverable.
An important concern of the course will be practicing methods to deal with the disconnect between working on-screen while designing for real materials in physical space. This will be facilitated through experiments with a variety of technologies, both sophisticated (rapid prototyping, CNC machining, etc) and basic (drawing, printing).
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The goal of CAD Modeling for Furniture Designers is for students to develop a design process that effectively incorporates digital tools. Students will gain skills and experiences to enable the design and production of objects at a level of sophistication that would not be possible otherwise. Successful performance in this class will yield the following outcomes for students:
- continuing practice designing and building complex objects with Rhinoceros 3D modeling software
- competency configuring lighting, materials, and environments in Keyshot to create realistic renderings
- experience creating surface-driven toolpaths with MasterCAM for the production of complex three dimensional objects on the CNC router
- an understanding of the principles of parametric design and basic experiences developing parametric models with Grasshopper and feature-based modelers (such as SolidWorks)
- greater practical knowledge of the underlying structure of NURBS curves and surfaces and a more sophisticated understanding of how to devise effective modeling strategies for a variety of forms
- increased knowledge of geometric continuity and experience controlling continuity between both curves and surfaces
- practice applying an iterative design process that incorporates both traditional and digital tools, techniques, and media.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
There will be several projects throughout the semester, some of which will be completed in one week, others spanning multiple weeks. In addition to the weekly deadlines assigned for these projects, other skill building exercises will be assigned. Outside of class, participation in web-based activities conducted on the class website and shared Google Drive will be required, including posting progress and documentation of projects and contribution to discussions. In general, all students are expected to check the class website daily. Tutorial videos that demonstrate techniques with the software will be posted to the site throughout the semester and students are expected to watch these videos as they are posted. In addition to work on projects and exercises, quizzes will be given to assess the student’s grasp of fundamental concepts.
Although a primary objective for this class is to learn software, this is not “just a computer class”. Students will be expected to be invested in the design and execution of their projects, with an attitude that views the conceptual, theoretical, and technical aspects of the course content as mutually beneficial to the student’s development. Significant off-screen work will be required to satisfactorily complete projects – sketching, sanding, finishing, etc.
HARDWARE & SOFTWARE
Students in this class are expected to have their own laptop computer, as well as a three button mouse (right and left buttons + scroll wheel/button). A licensed installation of Rhinoceros 3D modeling software and Keyshot rendering software is required for all students – either the Windows or Mac versions of these applications are acceptable. Some work will require students to use MasterCAM. A “Home Learning Edition” of this software is available for students to use at home, for free. The Furniture Department Computer Lab also has a license of this software available for student use, but please note that this software only runs on the Windows OS. To run this software, it is strongly recommended that students create a virtual machine with the software Parallels Desktop.
The class website will provide links for students to find the most economical purchasing options for the class’s required software. The list below outlines the software that will be used in the class:
- Rhino (3D modeling)
- Keyshot (rendering)
- MasterCAM Home Learning Edition (CAM)
- Grasshopper (algorithmic modeling, parametric design)
- SolidWorks, OnShape, or Inventor (feature-based solid modeling, parametric design)
COURSE POLICIES
This course will follow the Department of Furniture Design attendance and critique policy, which has been distributed separately and is available in the Department Office. It is of crucial importance that students adhere to departmental and school policies for shops, studios, labs, classrooms, and other facilities. All students are expected to clean up their workspace in the computer lab at the end of class and to arrange the chairs in an orderly fashion. Failure to use facilities safely and respectfully will be reflected in grading.
GRADING CRITERIA
In general, this course will follow the Department of Furniture Design grading and attendance policies, which have been distributed separately and are available in the Department Office as well as on the course website. Students will also be expected to actively participate in class discussions and be active contributors to a vibrant, engaged, critical, and supportive class community. In addition to work on assignments, performance in the class will be evaluated on the following criteria: engagement in one-on-one and group discussions; effort and ability to engage fully in the subject matter; timeliness in completing projects; respectful and safe use of facilities; and attendance and punctuality.
For the purposes of determining grades, “A” level performance will be characterized by the following:
- the student was punctual and attended all classes
- the student challenged themselves and grew significantly through their engagement with the content of the course
- the student was an active member of the class community who made genuine efforts to engage with and support the work of their peers
- the student completed all assignments and projects on time, with excellence
- the student’s projects demonstrated increasing competency to build complex objects with Rhinoceros and to create realistic renderings with Keyshot
- the student demonstrated resourcefulness, problem solving, and creativity when faced with challenging modeling problems
- the student’s work demonstrated competency with MasterCAM and an awareness of the limitations and capabilities of 3 axis CNC routing
- The student demonstrated curiosity, diligence, and persistence in working with parametric design tools, gaining basic competency
- the student successfully translated their work from concept, to digital model, to a compelling physical object, using the various outputting tools covered in class sensitively and appropriately
- the student was a good citizen – outside of and within RISD and the Department of Furniture Design – following school and department policies and using facilities safely and respectfully
COURSE STRUCTURE
Class time will be occupied by a balance of demonstrations, lectures, critiques, discussion, exercises, and work on projects. Most classes will begin with a short exercise intended to challenge the students skills with the software and to encourage resourcefulness and problem solving. These exercises will raise important issues inherent to the software in an effort to develop awareness of the technology’s limitations and sensitivity to its fundamental qualities. Significant time in class will be dedicated to working on projects, with the instructor consulting with students to aid progress.
SCHEDULE
Project schedules will overlap, and assignments for multiple projects may be due at the same time. This is done in an effort to provide adequate time for design development, modeling, execution on various digital fabrication equipment, assembly, and finishing. Since this course is intended for intermediate level students, the schedule will be revised according to student interest and abilities once an assessment has been made by the instructor. Work in this class will be divided into three major projects, each focusing on a particular skill set or technology. Specific deadlines for each project will be posted weekly.
Watering Can
Modeling complex objects, surface-driven toolpaths with MasterCAM, rendering
Cutlery Set
advanced continuity control, rendering, 3D printing
Table
parametric design
A schedule is provided below, showing an overview of the semester’s activities
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