SolidWorks Flashlight

This is a flashlight I have been working on for the last few weeks. I am slowly learning how to use SolidWorks. It is a lot of fun but can be very frustrating because you can pretty much build anything in it then send the file to a manufacturer and they can make the real thing from the file (it capable of doing so much that learning it is very difficult).

(Follow this link to see other examples of things built in SolidWorks http://www.solidworksgallery.com/index.php?category=photoview-360-images)

Marker Render

This semester we are also learning how to render with marker and in Photoshop. This was my first marker rendering assignment. It is the front view of 4 bottles/containers. It has been a lot of fun learning how to use this medium to portray form and surface change. Now we are working with tablets and stylis (computer monitors you can draw on with a special tool). Hopefully I will render something well enough to post here.

Photography Class

So I am taking a photography class and I really enjoy it, check out this one of a Lego.


Ok, how many of you really thought this was a photo? It looks pretty real huh? This is a detailed lego (without the logo on the pegs) that I made in a 3-D software called solid works and I rendered it in a sister software called photoview. I am just learning how to use them and it is so fun. When I build something really cool I will post it.

Fav Reunion Pics Pt. 1

Thanks to Aaron for taking these photos!
Having fun at Castle Park.
Amy is so photogenic.
Sisters, sisters...
A handsome man and his wife and a cute niece and handsome nephew.

"Guess Who!" Contest

Who can tell us who these people are? The person who can figure out who all 4 of these people are first will get a prize at the family reunion. If you know where and when this photo was taken you'll get a bonus prize. For 2nd and 3rd place tell us who the small child reminds you of the most.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.

A purchase may improve your chance of winning. Void where prohibited, taxed or otherwise restricted by law. Subject to all federal, state and local laws. Contestants may enter as many times as they like but for an entry to count it must include names of persons featured, your full name, and relevant information including your credit card number and information. This Blogger reserves the right to disqualify entries that contain “inappropriate” content as described in its Terms of Service and FAQ.

This contest is open to all legal residents of the United States and District of Columbia, and U.S. Military personnel (except those persons featured in this photo contest) with APO/FPO addresses, who are eighteen (18) years of age or older. Participation in this contest constitutes entrant's full and unconditional acceptance of these Official Rules.

WHO CAN'T PARTICIPATE?

This contest is open to all legal residents of the United States and District of Columbia, U.S. Military personnel (except those persons featured in this photo contest) with APO/FPO addresses, Alaska and Hawaii, who are eighteen (18) years of age or older (void in Puerto Rico). Participation in this contest constitutes entrant's full and unconditional acceptance of these Official Rules.

A few recent things that I am proud of...

So the last half of this semester in one of my classes we focused on geometric forms (geoforms). It has been a lot of fun and I have either improved from my other classes or this is what my forte currently is. This first assignment I was ranked 2nd and the grey one below was 1st. I don't want to be prideful... I just feel that these accomplishments have helped me feel more confident about getting accepted into the professional program and pursuing my dream of being an industrial designer. So this first assignment's contstraint was that we could only subtract simple shapes from other simple shapes but still create the most aestheticly pleasing and intriguing form and story. Can you tell how I came up with this dynamic form?


Could you see what shape I subtracted from another shape? I simply took a cylinder out of a cube at a specific angle. It sounds simple but it took a lot of not so good ideas and many experiments to create such a cool piece.

The following form is a family. Let me explain. It had to include 2 or more forms that could stand alone and be aesthetically pleasing or intriguing and when combined or placed together create a new story or feeling and still maintain strong aesthetic appeal.  I was quite surprised to be ranked number 1. There was a lot of really good stuff in the class.

Now I look forwarded to making my portfolio based on my freshman year experiences and turn it in this August to be reviewed by my professors. Hopefully... if it be the Lord's will for me and Kelly, I will be accepted into the program. Though I did well on these 2 assignments there were several others this semester and "the competition will be tough" according to my professors.

The other recent event I am proud of is when Kelly learned how to handle a semi-automatic pistol and emptied a full magazine on pop bottle. (That thing in front of her face is not a UFO, it was an ejected shell from the champer)
She was pretty timid at first (she shot a shotgun last summer and did not like it, maybe it was too big and powerful). She held the firearm for what seemed to be several minutes but didn't pull the trigger. Finally my friend Sam, and I, convinced her that there wasn't enough recoil or kick to knock her down or cause her to lose control. She built up enough courage to pull the trigger once and realized it wasn't bad at all. She said she had fun. 

PS: It was April 16th and it snowed about 4-5 inches overnight. Kelly and I took some pictures around the neighborhood and I decided to go shooting with Sam (Kelly wanted to take more fun photos so she tagged along and decided to learn how to do something "brave" that wasn't at the top of her to do list) Hopefully she will share with you all some of the great photos she took.

Swimsuit season, anyone?

I hate swimsuit shopping.  I do it as little as possible (try every 3-4 years) because it is expensive and embarrassing.  But as I was reading a favorite blog of mine (The Meanest Mom) I happened upon a swimsuit give away that she is putting on.  I entered.  If you're interested, here's the link:  http://www.themeanestmom.blogspot.com/