In this elective we will learn to design projects for the laser cutter and 3D printer

Task 1 - Finding and Designing Your "Super" Self

Superheroes often have two identities. The everyday identity who lives in the world, goes to school, and/or has a job. The other identity is their "super" self. The super self may reflect a strength or weakness of the hero - or not. 

Who is your "super" self?  How are they similar/different to everyday self? What traits do you posses that could become "super"? Create a  picture that uses illustrations and words to show both your everyday identity and a sketch for your "super" self. 

Task 2 - Design your action figure

We all know the drill. Superhero is discovered, movie is made of superhero, action figure is made of superhero. Blah, blah, blah. Let's skip all that pesky fame and movie making and get to the fun part. Now that you've settled on a "super" identity use Tinkercad to create a model of yourself. Final model must fit in a 3" cube. When complete download the finished design as an STL file and email to Mrs. Bisson.

Task 4 - Reflection

How will your superself exist in the world? Create a one page cartoon of your superself meeting and overcoming a challenge.

Task 5 - Layered Scenes

Use Adobe Illustrator to design a layered picture we can laser cut, etch, and assemble.

The design work needs to be done primarily on Illustrator. You will need two seperate files. One file is for the elements you want cut. Remember every line tells laser to make a cut. Be sure to get rid of all fills. This file is exported in .SVG format.

The second file is for the elements you want etched or drawn on top of the cut pieces. The two files need to match up exactly!

I usually copy my cutting file. Add the etched elements where I want them and the erase the cut lines. Take time doing this. The little details are important. This file will need to exported as a .PNG file.

When both files are complete email them to me as attachments. The subject of the email should be "Please laser cut".

Some student examples below.

Task 5 - Animate your character

While waiting for your 3D print, use Scratch to create a sprite of your character and animate that sprite. If you have an existing Scratch account, use that. If you don't, create one by signing in with Google and using your Brandeis email address and login. Many in this class are very familiar with Scratch so ask a fellow student if you need help.

I like to begin by creating the basic shape on my character with ovals. I want to make each part a separate piece so that I can easily move them to animate them later.

Then a take of the outline for all the ovals so it looks like one figure.

Then I add the details. I group individual components, like hair and glasses, so they are easier to control.

When done, I make a copy of my sprite by selecting all (Command + a) and copying. I paste this into a new costume for my sprite. I do this several times so I have lots of costumes I can manipulate.

Then I move one or two body parts in each costume. When I build some code for this sprite, it will looks like it's moving.

Try it and email be what you create!