The computer used is a 1st gen unibody macbook pro (core2duo 2.4ghz / 4gb ram), by no means a fast machine. The 8 hour render is simply an “overnight render” where the settings are all bumped up and I just let it go. Removing the liquid from inside the bottle greatly reduces the scene render time.
What I learned from this exercise is that longer render times seem to make little difference in the outcome. I’ll need to experiment more to find the best balance between quality and efficiency.
one thing leads to another
My full review is live on core77.com. read it here.As I dug into the software, I realized that I could write a full review of each individual product. Instead, I focused on evaluating how the software performed when used in a workflow from sketching to "engineering". All in all, the suite faired better than I had expected, though I did repeatedly run into problems with Solidworks models, as I often must work from or with SW data.
This was a great learning experience and piles of fun. I'd like to revisit this project and develop it a bit further. If you have any questions that I didn't address in the review, feel free to shoot me a question.
look what I got in the mail…
In case you haven't heard, Autodesk is now taking a cue from Adobe and offering software "suites." CAD lovers of all stripes can now purchase a whole assortment of tools, some they use and some they may not (yet), rolled into one slick package for a steeply discounted price.
I was a huge fan of the Creative Suite when it debuted, and jumped at the chance when I was asked to write a review on these two fabulous packages. I'm currently pulling, prodding and poking them to the best of my ability. Stay tuned for a full write up soon...
( Big thanks to LinYee Yuan @ core77 and Jon Winebrenner @ OneOak Design for the hookup )Got these recently. They are pretty awesome. The remote and mic works great, sound like hot butter and are lightweight yet feel sturdy. Primer Grey, totally.
http://www.urbanears.com/#/headphones/plattan/plattan-dark-grey
Teenage Engineering OP-1
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This is awesome. Love the design. Love the features. Love the all-in-one thinking approach. Soon available for $800. Checkout the OP-1 at teenage engineeringOP-1 is the all-in-one portable Synthesizer, Sampler and Controller. With additional features like the FM Radio and a G-Force sensor for pitch and bend effects. Beside a fresh and creative approach to sequencing with multiple choice of sequencers, you just have to love the OP-1’s built-in Tape feature.
Yesterday, GE introduced the Wattstation, designed by fuseproject. It strikes me as a nice looking, attention drawing design that seems appropriate for its assumed (by me) role of publicity and promotion for GE and urban electric vehicle initiatives. There is good technology beneath the pretty surface, citing faster charge times, smart grid power allocation, upgradability, etc.
It’s easy to call out issues of environmental durability at first glance. Though more so, I was struck by the stark contrast of these devices looking completely out-of-place in the city streetscapes in the banner images:
Charging ahead: WattStation (image links to WattStation site)
Once EV’s become more common and it would no longer be necessary for cities to trumpet their EV friendliness. Looking forward a bit, I imagined how a system like this be integrated into an existing landscape. I sketched this idea (quickly). It’s not wholly original, as I’ve read about concepts involving piezo electric generators + induction chargers to power electric cars as they drive. Still, I think my concept makes sense while minimizing the visual and technological “exposure” / “clutter”:
Coincidentally, there was a time when cars themselves were viewed as ugly, out of place visual clutter in urban centers.
Sometimes I have work dreams. Sometimes I have designy dreams. This designy dream was a nightmare. I was meeting with a new client who made motorcycles. The company was looking to revise the latest model as they had received some negative feedback from the field and weren’t really sure what to do. I walked up to the existing product to examine it and the instrument cluster/handlebars looked like this:
Two huge panels filled with unlabeled buttons. Then I woke up in a cold sweat, and drew this picture.
sightings: a little mention
So I made the front page, just a shared honorable mention, but still cool. I guess I missed the whole "simple" requirement with my intentionally overcomplicated "Siren" concept. :)
sightings: SBP 2010
If you've visited the Amazon.com page for Autodesk Alias Sketchbook Pro 2010, you may have seen this little sketch of the software in action... that's me :) I was asked to provide a couple images for the new version last year. I had just finished the Brief DVD and had been drawing coffee makers all week, so I quickly drew an iteration for SBP. I ended up liking it more than the sketch it was based off.After 3 years, we’ve retired Beki’s website (my wife) and moved her over to WordPress. Instead of simply porting her old theme in WP, I created a refreshed look and (hopefully) streamlined structure. Her new theme is built on the Thematic Framework. I started with the excellent Gallery child theme by Chris Wallace and added support for YAPB along with integrating new blog/event post types. The new site doesn’t use any flash for better mobile access and seo. Check it out!
Update: Here is a photo of my little sketch on display in Rochester:
city car sketch
A colleague and I were asked to contribute to a local IDSA chapter's display booth at the Rochester Auto Show coming up this spring. This series of car sketches was an afternoon exercise done in sketchbook pro. It is conceptually a two-seater "city car" which takes on the form of a landrover crossed with a mini.I havent updated here in a few months. I’ve been very busy with all sorts of “other” projects. This winter will be known as the winter when everything breaks for Ben: cars, computers, appliances, etc. So, this is a temporary interruption. There will be considerable activity soon. Promise.
sightings: Skid Steer Ideation
My entry for the 1hdc ideation sketches challenge at core77.com was given an honorable mention for "cool topic" ! Sweet.
The second image is taken from a hands-on demo video for a new Lenovo ideapad u1 hybrid tablet on Engadget.com. They happen to be browsing Core77, and you see (for a few seconds) my skid-steer concept sketches. Original post here.
race fliers are fun!
one of my hobbies is rc car racing. it's a great hands on, social, competitive and interesting hobby. I volunteered to create promotional race fliers for my local track. here are the first three.
Sometimes I do feel like I’m in the basement. Positive thought: when starting at the bottom or in the back, there is only one way to go: up. Starting in the front, one can only stay in place or move back. I think it speaks for itself.
Nice image from a friend.
Thanks Brodie!
I’ve changed over my blog to run on wordpress. I felt a little constrained by Silverstripe, which is still a great platform as a CMS but not a blogging tool. The kajillions of plugins for WP attracted me too. Hopefully, this is a step in the right direction. Thanks for visiting, let me know what you think!
