Free-form 3d modeling for a beginner

[JoshuaGalarneau]

Hello all - this is my first post.

 

I have been asked to create a 3D model of a kangaroo for a "CANstruction" project. I have access to Revit Architecture 2012 and AutoCAD 2012. Which program would be easiest for a newbie to use? I have experience with AutoCAD but mostly with older versions (prior to 2005) and I haven't done any 3D modeling in probably 10 years. I have never used Revit. It seems like a very powerful program but really seems geared for buildings.

 

For those not familiar with CANstruction we are building a kangaroo approximately 6 ft tall made out of cans of food which then get donated to a food bank charity after the event is complete. One of my goals once the 3D model is complete is to create 2D slices through the model every 4 or 5 inches to create templates for each layer of cans to aid with construction.

 

Any advice before I get started would be very much appreciated. I only have two weeks to complete my model so I need to tackle the learning curve quite quickly! Any thoughts on my chances of success?

[ReMark]

You say it is "free form" but then you mention its being built using cans. Can you tell us how you are going to do the drawing? Are you going to create a 3D model of a can then use copies to create the kangaroo?

[JoshuaGalarneau]

My thought was to create the model without thinking of the cans. Basically trying to get as realistic a model of a kangaroo as I can. The kangaroo would be sitting down in an upright position so his body would stack about the base of the structure that I am building. Once I've got the model created I was going to make 2D slices through it at every level of the cans (every 4" - 5" or so). This would give me a 2D template with which to layout the cans on that layer. I understand that this would only approximate the actual kangaroo model but if it's big enough hopefully the cans can approximate it well enough to make the kangaroo recognizable.

 

Here is a link to canstruction's website in case you want to see some examples of previous projects (look under the photo gallery): http://canstruction.org/

 

I did also have a thought of actually creating the model out of can shaped and sized objects but I figured this would be more challenging and time consuming. I also figured I would need the free-form model anyway so I had something to approximate the cans model to.

 

BTW - I do have a small stuffed animal of a kangaroo that I am using to create my CAD model from.

[Pocket]

Just a suggestion, but why not take multiple photos of the stuffed animal, mainly front, side and top views. Scan them into autocad and arrange rectangles the dims of the cans over the image. Do this from the front, side and top to get a very good representation of how the cans should be stacked

[SLW210]

Have a look at THIS.

[f700es]

I think AutoCAD can do this for you or if you are inclined take a look at SketchUp. Curved textures are a bit of a trick in SU but it can be done. The good thing is that you only need to make model of each can to be used and then just make components and away you go.

Let us know how you make out.