The main tools I used in Rhino for this project were the shape building tool, the surface tool, loft, project curve, and gumball. Gumball was the most crucial of these, as it allows for interactive editing of all objects. With one tool I could move, rotate, and scale my objects. This was especially important because the exact design of my fixture came from experimenting with its proportions in the modeling state. The loft tool was a simple was to make my surfaces three-dimensional. It served as a simple way to transition from the push-pull tool of SketchUp to the more varied tools of Rhino. For more specific details, the project curve tool was very useful. It allowed me to smoothly connect the cord detailing to the fixture.
Coming into this project, I had a very general idea of what I wanted to do. I had a good idea of what I wanted it to look like, and I knew what it’s purpose would be. Although I had a rough idea of the dimensions of the fixture, I did not know the exact measurements, or even placement of the light fixture’s detailing. By creating the different elements of my piece in Rhino, I was able to design and edit quickly and easily while viewing it in a digital, multi-dimensional space. While I could see my design on paper, using Rhino as a modeling design tool, I could see it come to life as a physical structure.
Not only will Rhino be a way to model and show future design projects, it will also serve me in my future design projects as being a form of 3D sketching. It is flexible enough for me to use as a tool to ideate different schematic designs. It works extremely well for detailed design work, such as furniture, that when custom created could greatly benefit the project. It will also be easy to render my designs with Rhino through the use of compatible programs like Maxwell. Because architecture students are well versed in Rhino, this knowledge will make collaborating with them on certain projects easier by eliminating that knowledge barrier.
When comparing Rhino and SketchUp, there are certainly pros and cons for each. Rhino is better for creating complex curved models with greater accuracy. There is greater flexibility for modeling and “dimensional sketching.” When using Rhino, I definitely have more control over curves and surfaces. Figures made with Rhino have more potential to look more organic and curvilinear. Rhino is compatible with advanced rendering programs as well. However, I personally believe the SketchUp interface is much easier to use. The sketchy display styles work well for certain stylized effects. When making simplified geometric forms, SketchUp works perfectly well. In addition, it definitely doesn’t hurt that SketchUp software is free for public use.
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Emily CornerDigital Media and Color Theory ArchivesCategories |