Google Sketchup

Google Sketchup high power bicycle light.

From time to time I find myself trying random 3d design programs just to play around and see what comes of it. Not sticking to one is somewhat cumbersome because I generally forget most of the workflow and commands from one to the next, however it is fun while it lasts. Yesterday I decided to give Google's 3d modeler a try; Google Sketchup 8. The aim of this program seems to be ease of use over shiny beautiful hyperrealistic models that you see coming out of 3DS Max and Maya, but the end results are still impressive nonetheless.

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Shoe Making Part 1 - Pattern Cutting

Shoe making primer through photos.

My fiance has been kind enough to share some of her footwear making notes with me. She documents every part of the process of making a shoe so this will be the first in a series of posts about the art of shoe making. The process involved in making proper footwear is quite complex so I'll be doing my best to outline the majority of it through captioned photos. In order to get the form of the shoe and start cutting the pattern the process starts out with the use of a shoe last made of wood, plastic, or in rare cases iron. For most modern shoes these lasts come in pairs; one left and one right.

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Antler Ring

Polished antler ring with antler behind.

As some of you may know if you read my previous post "Snowy Adventures" I came across a deer head with antlers still attached (see post for photo of antlers.) Well I actually carried the antlers with me back home, and I've been meaning to do something with them for quite some time. After a few hours of browsing the interwebs for ideas and coming up with nothing but hat racks, and gun racks I decided to go it alone. I finally decided on a ring for my fiance (not engagement, she already has one of those, an antler engagement ring would be kinda tacky I think.)

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Man Made Sheep

MG 1/100 Gundam shown for scale.

My fiance, being asian, is a bit crazy for stuffed animals. She's always insisting that I provide her with a stuffed zoo. Being the ambitious DIYer that I am I decided to try my hand at making one myself. Not really adept at sewing it'd still be a bit more special than a store bought animal made in mainland China by a 5 year old with no toys of her own.

Armed some sheep themed flannel laying around, and my great grandmother's Singer sewing machine collecting dust. After a few days, and 4 horribly disfigured cloth sheep later I came up with this; a sheep in sheep's clothing. It needs a set of eyes, a nose, and a stomach staple, but I think it will suffice. (Gundam not actual size)

Amazing DIY book

Having recently stumbled upon this book I felt the need to share it with anyone possible. It's kind of a DIY reference manual of sorts called "Making Things Move" by Dustyn Roberts. This book is a great way to understand basic machines and mechanisms to intelligently incorporate them into your projects.

I have no idea why they don't make this required reading for all high school physics classes because it goes above and beyond what was taught in my class, and does so in a fun and easy to understand manner. If you have even the slightest interest in figuring out how your window blinds are able to move, or why the big gear moves the little gear which turns the screw then this book is definitely for you. I found that the first chapter was available freely online, so here it is embedded below. This will probably get you hooked. If you decide to buy it's cheap enough at $18 or so over at Amazon.