New 1080p camera

Walk before you run

So lately I have been working with the calipers to get better at sizing objects.  I had seen in a tutorial about Makerbot designs and Sketchup to size up your model by 1000, then downsize it in Skeinforge by .001  I spent alot of time with this method, all to not much success.  My mind wanders when I design, and at times I forget to size it times 1000.  

So I went to a way that works for me.  Size it right in Google Sketchup to start.  Zooming in and navigation around a 3D model in Sketchup can be tricky when working with objects no larger then 100mm by 100mm, but it has allowed me to leap forward with some scaled design.

I issued myself a challenge.  Make a box to fit perfectly around an object natively in Google Sketchup.  I found the simplest item I could laying around.  It was a square bubble level.  I then used the calipers to take measurements, and translated this data into Sketchup.  I then worked in some wall thickness, and was able to produce a case that would perfectly fit the object.  No sizing needed in Skeinforge or ReplicatorG.  Just import it, center it, and run it.

This opens some new stuff for me now that I have gotten the hang of modeling proper size in Sketchup, rather then modeling based upon reference of other lines in the model itself.  The below picture doesn't look like much, but the case perfectly fits this bubble level.  

Now maybe I can put some sort of mount on it, and strap it to my HBP, and no longer will be the days of eyeballing my platform levelness.  

You kids know the rules, only one piggie allowed on the trampoline at a time.

Makerbot Breaking News!

Seems those in NY at Makerbot Headquarters have been working long and hard.  Today it was announced that a new MK7 extruder head is now available.  Looking at some of the photos, it looks like dual extruders is now on the horizon.  My imagination runs wild when I think of where will 3D printing be for the average person a year from now.  

Fly box

Fly box compartments complete.  I am learning how to properly size objects in Google Sketchup at the moment.  Previously I was just making things and sizing them in relation to the object on the screen.  Now I am actually breaking out the calipers to visualize an object, draw on paper, and using calipers to dial some things in.  Once the box top is complete I will share the project on Thingiverse.  Then it is onto my next project which will take me a while.

7 Hour Vase Print

I was looking for something new to display on the desk.  I also wanted to play around with blending colors while a print is running.  Not bad for my first try.

Cigar ashtray.

I put this up earlier on Thingiverse. The standard disclaimers apply regarding ABS plastic. Specifically, do as I say and not as I do. Don't use these as real ashtrays. I'm going to break one of them in tonight.