3D Business Cards

Today we created our first 3D printed business card. It is a new marketing concept that we are offering to Design based firms to be able to stand out from the norm. There are already 3D business cards out there that are based on a traditional size paper/cardboard card that opens up like a book to reveal a pop-up logo or similar.

3D business are now available...

A photo posted by Pierr French (@french_designs) on Dec 12, 2014 at 3:07am PST

10 REASONS TO GO 3D PRINTED

While these are great they are simply just the traditional business card with an added bit of creativity. To really be able to impress one may need to go a step further by utilising the 3D printed card. These cards will demonstrate the following:

1. Showcase the concept of 3D printing and the finished product.
2. A client will be more likely to hold on to it or show their colleagues.
3. Retain a higher status than that of the card predecessor.
4. Endless flexible designs and relief patterns are possible with this technology.
5. The product is also not bound by the traditional limitations of the business card.
6. Waterproof and will not be used as a spare piece of paper in case of an emergency.
7. Can be printed as thin as a traditional card if required.
8. Showcases the companies integration of the technological-digital world that is ever growing.
9. Clients will appreciate the unique effort to go above and beyond.
10. No one wants another business card filling up their wallet.

French Designs is offering 3D business cards to all businesses that would like to get noticed. Please visit www.frenchdesigns.net and use our promotional code 3DCARDS for a 10% discount on 3D business cards this week only.

There is also the concept of 3D pop up business cards that works on the principle of a fold open card that portrays the logo, name or image of the company. French designs is also offering this service as of today so come and check it out.

The Pen vs. the 3D Mouse

Achieving a design from its inception through to its completion has normally manifested through a variety of mixed media/medium. This is due to the countless processes and project parameters that are involved in the creation of architecture. These days the computer, and in the near future "The Cloud," is and will become the common platform in society which contains both positive and negative connotations.

The Pen

Ink

The traditional architect of the modern era, 1900-2000, would never leave the comfort of the office without at least one pen in hand. The pen defines the architect, it becomes the tool to used to formulate ideas and create, the dialogue between architect and client, a measuring device, it poses questions and formulates answers. Architects of all generations will tell you that the pen is a priceless tool that can't be replaced or negated... Is this the case?

Digital Pen

The digital version of the pen has begun to make an appearance in architecture of late. It is a paperless system that can benefit the sustainability issue that comes with the mass amount of paper that architectural firms use, provided that the power source for charging this device comes from renewable energy.

Digital pens come in all forms, shapes and sizes in an attempt to replicate the sleek and timeless design of the ink pen. I must admit that although there are some extremely uncomfortable pens out there, a few have made a breakthrough for me. I was looking for something that best replicates the look, feel and most importantly, the drawing style and rage of the ink pen. Line-weight is extremely important, thus sensitivity to the amount of pressure extorted must be captured and accurately produced.

The standout achiever must be the pen that comes standard with the Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2" Tablet. The design and weight are both quite well resolved but it is the ability to achieve contrasting line weights as well as the immediate response time that elevates this product to the new benchmark of digital pens.

The mouse

3D Mouse
Navigating through a 3D environment can be achieved through a combination of the mouse and keyboard but is often a slow process and requires the user to initiate multiple attempts in order to view a specific portion or element within the virtual model for editing purposes.

The 3D mouse allows the user to fly effortlessly through the model and easily pinpoint specific elements, zoom to the extents of the model, swap between different views without having to access the view cube. The mouse works on the principle of one physically grabbing the model at a point and rotating, panning, zooming and angling it until you achieve the required position.

The mouse is also pressure sensitive and the speed at which each of these tasks are undertaken is completely up to the user and amount of twist or pressure that is applied. Its ergonomic design allows one to rest the arm while manipulating the joystick.

The 3D mouse defiantly improves ones efficiency when working with a B.I.M. or 3D model. The initial use may be daunting to a new user, and possibly be even slower than traditional methods, but with a couple of days practise it can become a game changer.

Personally I have been using the 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse Pro for a couple of months now and can only recommend it to fellow Revit/ArchiCAD users. It is extremely helpful and increases productivity. It integrates with most 3D programs such as Google Sketchup, 3Ds Max, AutoCAD and any .dwf

Track Pad
A similar concept to the 3D mouse is now being incorporated in what we know as the track pad. The Leap motion controller is essentially a trackpad that operates in three dimensions and can track the movement of ones hands in the space around the device, turning gestures into input commands.

The Leap motion controller doesn’t replace your keyboard, mouse, stylus, or trackpad. It works with them, and without special adapters. With the Leap Motion software running, just plug it into the USB on your Mac or PC, and you’re off.

I have not personally tried this product yet, but from what I have seen and researched it could be even more useful than the 3D Mouse. Even some new laptops are coming out with this feature built-in to alleviate carrying extra devices when travelling.

Verdict

The overall consensus is still divided. The advantage and speed of the traditional sketch is widely considered irreplaceable, but the younger generations are moving away from the pen and paper.

More upcoming designers and future architects are utilising the power of the digital tools as early as their first year of Architectural study. While this increases thier proficientcy, do they miss out on the fundumentals of the architectural profession?

Cloud Rendering in Revit

Rendering Pro of the Week - Pierr French - Render Them Speechless

More on Cloud Rendering

The hot topic at the moment is that of cloud computing. In terms of architecture, cloud computing will become the next big thing. The software that many architects and designers use today come with a heavy processing, graphics and memory requirement. Top of the range desktops and laptops are then required to be able to meet these hight demands and allow one to work lag free and produce results on time.

The solution lies in that of cloud computing. By now most of us use at least have one form of cloud service or another. Dropbox, Google drive, Onedrive, Cubby, Office 365 online and AutoCAD 360 are amongst a few of the common ones. Now Autodesk Revit is offering the "Render to Cloud" service that is starting to take the architectural community by storm.

I only recently stumbled upon this feature during the latter course of this year and I am completely hooked. Not only can you continue to work on the model whilst your renders are underway and uploaded to the cloud, but you can produce the highest quality renders in a matter of 2-8 hours. There is also the possibility to upload more than one render at a time, and they can be completed simultaneously.

Smaller draft renders can be completed within 10 minutes from upload to be able to identify where the model might still need some adjustments. The number of renders that you have uploaded is unlimited and thus within a space of 10 minutes, you can have a full set of draft renders completed.

Another useful feature of the "Cloud Rendering Service" is the ability to create a panorama rendering of a space, allowing the user to look around in a single spot and experience the design more holistically.

Further enhancements include features such as Solar Study, Illuminance and Turntable renderings. These can be great tools for showcasing different aspects of a project. Visit the Great Hall of Democracy 2014 - French Designs for some examples and to view "Autodesk's Cloud Rendering Gallery".

3D Printing for Architects

Before the growth of 3D printing reaches epidemic proportions I have decided to give some insight into basics as well as the advantages of the 3D printeing in terms of design and architecture.

Types of Printers

ABS/PLA Plastic printers - are the most commonly used. The reason for this is that the plastic is relatively cheap (Approx. AUD $50.00 per Kg) It is also the simplest additive method for creating prototypes, simply melting layers of plastic and printing a single layer at a time.

Powder Printers - are more expensive and less common than the plastic. They use starch and gypsum plaster as the powder with water the binding agent (colour can be added to the binder). The print requires infiltration of wax, glue or similar to add strength for handling the final model.

Desktop Printers

One is able to buy a standard desktop printer starting from AUD$ 600.00. The technology is rapidly increasing and the prices are becoming more achievable. The software is quite simple to use especially if you are familiar with Google Sketchup and other 3D software. The models that are most commonly used in Australia are the UP 3D printer series. These desktop printers are able to print an average size of (L)130mm x (W)130mm x (H)100mm. Printing time varies on the complexity and resolution of the model, but an average quality large print will take approximately 6 hours.

Materials

There are many variations in colour, texture and materials that are becoming available. Almost any colour  can be found and in a plain to a metallic finish. Transparent plastic, bendable plastic/rubber, a mix of ABS and timber (Laywood), glow in the dark just to name a few. The same goes for the powder types available at present. There are new products coming out every day.

Advantages

The advantages of 3D printing are almost limitless. One can transform their visualization from a 3D computer model to a physical product in a matter of hours with little to no supervision. This is perfect for communication between designers and clients or to challenge the design team, encouraging dialogue as early as concept stage through a series of mock up models.

1 - Saves time as you may already have the digital model
2 - Easy to use and produces relatively fast results compared to conventional methods
3 - It is becoming increasingly more affordable
4 - Can become a design tool within the architectural firm
5 - Vast array of materials available

Limitations

There are some limitations in terms of the size that is available to us as consumers and architectural firms. This is simply a matter of time as they have begun making printers on a large scale that will literally be able to print the final products in a flat pack nature, for assembly on site. Or possibly the final 3D house will be able to be printed without need and added cost of construction workers.

An online portfolio

Today I have setup an online portfolio to showcase some of the works that I have recently completed. There are numerous reasons for doing this and I shall share with you just a few benefits.

http://frenchdesignssa.wix.com/pierrfrench

1. Applying for jobs that require a portfolio has never been so easy. You can simply point your employers to the website address to have a look at your work. No need for printing or carting around a physical portfolio with a large carbon footprint.

2. You can easily keep you portfolio up to date and share it with your friends and family so they too are able to comment on you work. Positive feedback as well as constructive criticism are key in identifying ones best works/attributes.

3. It's free and easy to do. Simply visit www.wix.com and setup a free account. You can even log in using Facebook or Google +. Create a designer website that portrays you and it can look and feel like it was done by a professional.

4. If you are a freelancer this is possibly the best way to market yourself online. Almost everyone these days has access to the internet and can visit your site. Having a website portfolio make you stand out from the rest and shows initiative.

Good luck!

So it begins...

Hi all,

This is the first post of many from French Designs. We are an young design orientated firm that is taking on a new approach to the way design is curated and delivered. Our main objective is to provide the design community with the facility to be able to outsource some of the task that they possibly may not be able to complete in house.

Our services focus on the architectural and interior disciplines but also include graphic visualisations, industrial design and landscape architecture.

Products as well as services are available from us. We have an online store that facilitates the common services involved as well as some basic products a designer might need.

Services Include but not limited to:

- AutoCAD Drawings (.dwg)
- Revit Models/drawings (.rvt)
- Google Sketchup Models (.skp)
- ArchiCAD Models
- 3D Visualisations/Renders (.jpeg, .png, .psd)
- 3D Printing of models (.stl)
- 3D Scanning of models (.stl)
- Video walkthroughs (Lumion)


If you can imagine it, we can create it. 3D Printing is now available which makes products and structures come to life with the click of a button.

Come and visit us online today to enjoy the range of services we offer.

http://www.frenchdesigns.net