|
Origins, introduction to and my perspective of the FreeForm™ modelling system. Written in 2002
FreeForm™ page 1
Origins - Contact - Access - Advantages - Creative - Realization - Creative
FreeForm™ page 2
Education - Sculpture - Magic - Advance - Commercial - Opportunities - Software - New Dynamic
Engineering Versus Craft
The technology that makes the FreeForm™ system work is rooted in engineering, science and mathematics. Developments in manufacturing and post production technology have driven the need for a
particular type of engineering, mathematical based language for drawing and design applications. The core methodology is one that works through specific mathematical controls, via plan and elevation.
Various applications have been developed which offer different functionality, specialisation, accuracy and cost. It will not be difficult to see a stylistic vocabulary and inertia that has been
created in terms of the products and items produced by these tools and systems.
Craft is an activity that is generally linked to an individual's skill and experience and is usually directly related through human interaction to the materials and processes used. Individuality and
uniqueness are at one with the designer's specific mastery of materials and processes. Unmistakably there will be some designers and operators who are masters of the CAD applications they work with.
However, because of the commissioning costs and complexities involved along with the physical remoteness of the activity, it may be difficult to distinguish their work from others involved in the
process. This can be applied, in various degrees, to most digitally manufactured work. It can be said that the shortest route to achieve a craft label, would be for an individual designer to have a model
manufactured directly from a digital file, with only the minimum processing interference necessary. 3D printers offer this directness and rapid manufacture the final one stop link.
The least amount of technical process and the most amount of intuitive creativity is the closest you can achieve in this digital arena. FreeForm™, I believe, provides the most intuitive interface for
the craftsman; hand eye and material controls allow for individual expression to occur. Complex models can be created from a simple gesture, or movement of the hand, that previous CAD systems could not
capture. It will remain to be seen if the status of craftsman can be applied to a FreeForm™ user; I believe it can and eventually will be applied as more people have contact with the system. As
awareness of Freeform develops along with increased levels of creative skill, improved understanding of process and specialisation, individuality will be evident.
With Freeform good traditional modelling skills are an advantage, modellers who work in a physical material like clay, or wax very quickly transfer the same creative intent in the FreeForm™ digital
environment. It can follow therefore that creative individuality can be perceived as value added in marketing terms. FreeForm™ can be one digital tool that will provide a craftsman's platform.
Virtual Reality - A Practical Application
This is a virtual reality application. The computer simulates a modelling material that you can touch and change through the manipulation of the Phantom Desktop. The reality is that the brain
totally accepts this contact within a few minutes and the environment and visual information on the screen backs up and reinforces the activity. If you are using a pen to write, or draw on a piece of
paper, you will be looking at the marks on the page, you will not be focussed on the way you hold, or articulate the pen with your hand. Freeform works in the same way, it is really drawing in 3
dimensions, to the extent that you can forget you are using a computer.
There is however no sensation of temperature, cold stone, or warm wood, there are no sounds of hammer on chisel, or sawing through wood, there are no smells of candle wax, or wood resin and there are no
specific material textures. Reality, or a final confirmation of the form you have been working on is confirmed only when you rapid prototype a model and hold it in your hand. Then it has weight and a
physical presence, a real ergonomic relationship and value.
Sculpting in a real material like clay can be described as 3D drawing and at times this can be very physical if it is, for example a full size horse, or intricate, if it is a medallion. An armature is
needed to support the clay over a certain size. In Freeform the environment of the model has no gravity, it also has no scale or outside reference, this enables you to focus on the form and the
relationships within that form. Size does not really matter, because the model can be reproduced at any size and in many different materials. We clearly do have the ability to understand and comprehend
the "hands off" design environment that is the traditional CAD interface. By giving a physical connection to this process FreeForm™ anchors this activity within the everyday human experience and
with intuitive parameters.
There are generally many more benefits than any loss; FreeForm™ encourages you to ask essential and fundamental questions for example, how many types of primary 3 dimensional forms can be applied to
your concept design? How do the integral components work together, within it and with other pieces? How do planes change direction?
The benefit of this virtual reality system is that you do not need to wear any extra garments, gloves or glasses. The system gives us the all important sense of touch we need, but it is only an extension
to the computer mouse and therefore no special environment has to be established before you start work.
Virtual reality conjures up Star Trek images, which clearly do not apply to this, yet the technology and what it allows you to do, is real and is clearly a benefit to your creativity.
|
