Speedstep

Speedstep can be used to change the colour of an image.

Repeated patterns can be created.

And developed into multicolour patterns

Simple ready made garments can be developed into different designs, with the basic shape set.

Speedstep is a useful programme to be used in schools as it gives students who are not confident in their drawing skills the chance to be creative and take risks with their designs.

Solid Works

Pewter Cast design in 3D form

Pewter cast mould. This mould can also be used on the CNC milling machine, as an alternative to 2D Design.

Aligning the mould and pewter part

Mating the parts. This can take a few movements to match each angle up.

The mould and pewter part mated.

Final Pewter Cast

 

Although solid works is an effective programme that has many options, I personally found it quite a confusing programme to use. Therefore it wouldn't be suitable for use in schools by KS3 but students who have time to develop their skills during their GCSE years may find it a very useful resource.

Photoshop

Photoshop is a very useful programme as you are able to take simple pictures and turn them into what you want them to be. This has been created from a dull Nottingham skyline and a friend sat in a living room but has been created into and a vibrant looking city.

It's a good way to create advertisements for products and packaging, a popular topic within KS3.

2D Design

When cutting out on the laser cutter, the red lines will be cut, while the black lines will be engraved.

This is a simple box that can be taken off an exiting folder on 2D Design. Pictures can be transfered and printed onto the box to create a more exciting packaging.

I created a design for a novelty calculater. I was able to lay the three layers of the calculater ont the same page to be cut out on the laser cutter. This meant I could lay the in an efficient place to get the most out of the material.

2D design can be used to create a mould for pewter casting. It can be used to cut the design with . Depending on the width of the drill used to cut the shape, a contour line must be added to take into account the excess the drill will cut out if it travels along the drawn line.

For example I  used a 2mm drill so added a 1mm contour line inside the design, and deleted the outside line.

Pro Desktop

Basic 3D blackberry outline design.

More complex design of a possible calculator idea.

Engineering model.

Rendered image.

Copy of a Lego brick, showing extrusion.

Rendered image.

Overall I find Prodesktop easier to use than solidworks. Its a useful programme to used when you are copying a product from view, with the use of basic shapes, extrusion and accurate measurements.