New Free-to-download CAD tool to bring 3D design to everyone

Allied Electronics (Allied) and RS Components (RS), the trading brands of Electrocomponents plc has introduced DesignSpark Mechanical, a new 3D solid modelling and assembly tool that is available to all -- totally free of charge.

Mark Cundle, Global Head of Technical Marketing at RS Components introduced the DesignSpark Mechanical

 

The software package is, says RS, free, fast and intuitive, opening new possibilities from concept design through to manufacturing.

Screenshot of DesignSpark Mechanical's user interface (click to enlarge)

 

Developed in conjunction with SpaceClaim, the new easy-to-use DesignSpark Mechanical is intended to overcome the prohibitive costs and the considerable investment in learning time associated with traditional 3D CAD tools. RS says, its simplicity of use means that engineers and others involved in product development can become fully conversant with the software within minutes, rather than the weeks or months required to become skilled with traditional 3D CAD tools. And it is available in multiple languages.

Direct modelling methodology

DesignSpark Mechanical employs a powerful methodology called 'direct modeling', which is very different from traditional feature- or parametric-based 3D CAD software. The tool uses simple gestures that enable real-time editing and instant feedback, making it possible for engineers and others to create geometry and easily explore ideas and product concepts in 3D.
All basic designs can be achieved quickly and easily via the use of the software's four basic tools – Pull, Move, Fill and Combine – you can quickly create 3D objects, manipulate shapes, grab and drag faces and/or edges, set levels of transparency, and you can also combine/merge objects, fragment them, and perform Boolean operations on them. In addition you can use a few familiar Windows keyboard shortcuts such as cut/paste, undo/redo within a drawing or between drawings.

Online 3D models library

The DesignSpark online component library gives all engineers a free access to more than 38,000 3D models, and each of these free-to-use models is available in 24 different formats. RS Components has also collaborated with world-leading 3D content company TraceParts to provide access to millions of models from the online tracepartsonline.net CAD portal in DesignSpark Mechanical's format.

Exported in STL for 3D printing

3D designs can also be exported in STL, the standard file format to enable rapid prototyping builds and computer-aided manufacturing, in addition to providing the ability to quickly obtain Bill-of-Materials (BOM) quotes via the Allied and RS websites. The tool can also import circuit layout files in IDF format from any PCB design tool.

A decoiler's installation (click to enlarge)

The software can also be used to:

• produce highly detailed dimensioned models and assemblies
• create professional concept designs to assist in your bids
• remove bottlenecks by making amendments and additions to your design in seconds, rather than waiting for the CAD department to rework in history-based CAD tools
• combine your creation with off-the-shelf components from RS Components and the Allied Electronics 3D library

DesignSpark Mechanical will be available for free download via its site from 16 September 2013.

Slide-phone Inspired Faucets

This idea could used for cabinets?

The Reece Slide Tap is a different take on the typical slider phone; it is a faucet that uses the innovation of touch-pads to the fullest. You can turn on the tap by simply sliding the top and control the temperature via the touchpad on the handle. You can present the temperature, thus eliminating wastage.

There are three parts on the top of the tap: two touchpads for controlling water and temperature and one screen that shows the temperature. Slide is a 2013 Bathroom Innovation Award finalist.

Renders in PhotoView 360

 

Photoview 360: Creating a Transparent PNG

SolidWorks should have added an option to output an image with a transparent background, in Photoview 360. At least Photoview creates an alpha channel that can be saved out along with the colored image. This allows you, if you have Photoshop or a similarly equipped image editing program, to manually remove out the background. This tutorial will go into using the alpha channel to mask out the background of a Photoview render and create a transparent png.

The first step is to create your render and save out the layered image. This will create two files an alpha channel and a full color image. The alpha channel will look something like this:

You’ll now want to open up the two images in Photoshop and go into the channels tab for the alpha channel image.

Right click on the “Gray” channel and choose to duplicate the channel.

From the document pull down choose the final color output version and click ok.

Go into the final color output’s channels tab and ctrl click the newly duplicated layer. Recheck all of the RGB layers and uncheck the “Gray” layer, so that the full color image is showing. Then go back to the layers tab, right click on the background, and create a duplicate layer as you won’t be able to add a mask to the locked background layer.

Create a mask over the background copy by clicking on the icon indicated above. Finally, uncheck the “background” visibility so that you’re left with just the transparent image.

Save the image as a png and you’re good to go.

bibbity boo

LED lighting

 

Light sisters collection by Ana Babic for Lanterna

August 27th, 2013 by retail design blog

Light sisters is group of elegant sophisticated lamps, that can be used as bookshelf or place for your favorite magazines as well.

They are made of powder coated metal with led stripes inserted in them.

Because of their hidden lights, when you turn it on it gives the illusion of floating magic cubes, making mystical atmosphere.

Designed by Ana Babic for Lanterna

 

 

Am I doing this right?