VR Software for Designers and a 3D Printed Organ

daisypope
May 14, 2019
5 min read

This week we have a truly ecclectic mixture of innovations. Firstly VR software to enhance 3D design, a micro library, cat playground and a 3D printed breathing organ.

Gravity Sketch VR

As a designer it can sometimes be difficult to transfer what is in your head to a digital version - or even harder to recreate the beauty a meticulously drawn sketch in a 3D CAD program. Well now there is a way forward. Gravity Sketch has been designed to help bridge the gap between 2D and 3D design and to allow designers to feel their designs in real space. A tablet is used to create a 2D sketch of the design. The designer then puts on a VR head set to create the sketch in 3D, allowing easy manipulation and the ability to see the presence of the object. The product was designed more for those who are comfortable working in 2D but not so much in 3D. Motion tracked controllers are used to create the design, essentially replacing a pen and paper. It's a great idea to still have the ability of adding character to a 3D design, which can feel a little disjointed when the computer screen is in the way. I love how using CAD can transform a design and really give you a feel of how it will look in really life. However I am a massive fan of using pen and paper to conjure up a design as I get a better feel for it, and I'm not sure I would have the same organic feel using the Gravity Sketch software. It is an excellent idea to allow designers to really feel their design rather then just looking at it on the computer, however perhaps it could just complicate the 2D to 3D process... See more at https://www.dezeen.com/2019/05/08/gravity-sketch-vr-surface-tool-software/.

Bicycle Micro Library

Have you ever looked at a disgarded bicycle and thought 'Ahh that would make a great library'?... Me neither. However Designers at LUO Studio have done just that. LUO Studio have used an abandoned bicycle, turned it in to a 4-wheeled cycle and have created a wooden shelved interior with reused iron sheets for the exterior. There is something quite beautiful about the way the tough iron outside peels back like a ladybird's wings and reveals an beautifully organic innards, bursting with books. Named the Shared Lady Beetle you can see how children would be attracted to find out what is hidden inside the shell. The shelves on at the bottom of the inside have also been designed to be wide enough for children to sit on and read through the books. Apart from providing children with the beautiful art of reading, the micro library tackles another issue - recycling, What better way to recycle no longer used objects into something for the better and something that can be cherished. I love the simplicity of the idea and that in an ever developing technical world the simplest form of pleasure, reading, is still being encouraged. See the full story at https://www.dezeen.com/2019/05/09/micro-library-shared-lady-beetle-luo-studio/.

Nike Fit App

Continuing with the running feature of last week, Nike have launched an app feature to ensure you get the perfect fitting running trainers every time. The app uses augmented reality technology to accurately give the user their ideal trainer size, very important considering it's estimated 3 in 5 people where the wrong size shoes. The AR uses your smart phone camera and a 13-point measuring system then accurately map the users foot dimensions. It couldn't be easier to use, by just standing next to a wall and wearing contrasting colour socks to your floor the app will calibrate the base of the wall and then produce a picture of your feet. Different shoes are also designed to be worn differently and the app will take this into account. Some need to be snugger so will give you a smaller size where as some require more breathing room so a bigger size would be recommended. The technology is also being used throughout Nike stores to ensure customers are getting the best fit. The hope is that the technology will reduce returns and increase customer satisfaction... This is one of those releases that has me thinking 'Why hasn't this been done before?'. Such a simple and yet extremely useful piece of software to enhance the user experience. It's definitely something I'll try when I go to buy my next pair of running trainers. It also leads me to think where else the technology could be used... Clothing for example, where sizes are constantly varying from shop to shop. One thing springs to mind however, just because the app says the size will fit doesn't mean they will fit in person, something I have frequently found having annoyingly narrow feet. Maybe in the future the technology could be developed further to map out your absolutely perfect fitting running shoe. See the video at https://www.dezeen.com/2019/05/09/nike-fit-app-ar-ai-trainers/.

3D Printed Breathing Organ

The idea of 3D printed organs has always been batted around. It sounds like a perfect solution that could save many many lives. An organ, or even body part, could be 3D printed bespoke using the persons own DNA so that it is an exact match. As you can imagine there are many obstacles to overcome for this to become a reality, but bioengineers at Rice University and the University of Washington have come one step closer. The team have created an open source technology for bioprinting called the stereolithography apparatus for tissue engineering (SLATE).

"This involved printing a liquid, pre-hydrogel solution made up of living cells, and curing each layer by exposing it to a blue light. in order to achieve the fine detail necessary to recreate the vascular system, the team added food dyes that helped to absorb the blue light and focus the solidification onto very thin layers" (https://www.designboom.com/technology/3d-printed-organ-vascular-system-05-06-2019/)

It never ceases to amaze me what scientists and engineers will come up with next, and this is no exception, We live in such an exciting time where the possibility of 3D printing human tissue could actually become a reality in our lifetimes, and the benefits of this are unthinkable. See more at https://www.designboom.com/technology/3d-printed-organ-vascular-system-05-06-2019/.

3D printed Vascular System - From Design Boom

Vertical Cat Playgrounds

I recently visited a cat cafe for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed watching the cats run from room to room using high shelves and tunnels in the walls. It made me wonder whether playgrounds for cats like this could be created in your own home, and this week designers at catastropicreations have done just that. Mike Wilson and Meghan Hanneman have designed a modular cat playground system that can be installed on a vertical wall to allow cats to play and exercise inside. The various pieces include bridges, platforms, scratching posts, hammocks and ladders that can be configured in a variety of ways. Planters can also be included in the design allowing you to incorporate calming cat nip plants. The variations are also available in a range of colours and woods to fit with your interior. A great simple idea to improve the lives of cats in any cat lovers home. The design is not imposing so can make a good feature to part of the house and will improve the lives particularly of house cats that aren't allowed outside. It would be interesting to see what other animals such a playground could be designed for, I'm thinking guinea pigs or even hamsters?... See more at https://www.designboom.com/design/catastropicreations-transform-walls-into-cat-playgrounds-05-09-2019/