About

Join us when we fire up a software snowflake generator. Using random numbers, mathematical algorithms, computer code and science, we'll create unique and beautiful snowflakes. 

You can sit back and watch how its done, or follow along and generate your own snowflake designs during the talk. To generate your own designs, preparation prior to the event will be needed. Please see below.

Who Is This For?
This session is for all ages, levels and interests. Anyone with a bit of curiosity about the world around them will get something out of it as will anyone who admires a beautiful snowflake. The more mathematically and computer inclined will see a novel way of using math and learn a new tool. Kids under the age of 14 are most welcome with an accompanying adult.

This is a free event open to the public. Please register so that we know how many to expect and can set up accordingly.

More Details 
We'll use an algorithm that approximates the way that some kinds of snowflakes grow in real life. (Stellar plane crystal snowflakes start from a hexagonal prism seed and then grow outward with branches and plates whose size and positions are determined by the temperature and humidity of the atmosphere.)

This talk will get you on your way to making your own unique snowflakes. We'll show you how to generate your own unique snowflake designs. We'll walk through how to prepare the designs for the 3D printer and/or laser cutter. There won't be enough time to print or laser cut the snowflakes but you are welcome to do so during Open Studio. 

As time allows, hear about the wonders of OpenSCAD and other mathematically generated patterns that are possible. These include voronoi diagrams. Generated by algorithms, voronoi diagrams have practical uses in science, math and engineering such as autonomous robot navigation. Read more about voronoi diagrams on Wikipedia. 

You will get to see example prints designed in OpenSCAD. These are part of the studio collection of sample prints. As far as anyone knows, these could have been created in more visually oriented CAD software, but were easier and faster to do in OpenSCAD.

Watch or Make
You can sit back and watch how its done. Or follow along and generate your own snowflake designs during the talk. To generate your own designs, here's all you need to do. Before the session:

• Download and install OpenSCAD, free 3D CAD modelling software from http://www.openscad.org/ There are versions for Windows, Mac, Linux and BSD. (if you have trouble installing it, pop in to an open studio and we'll give you a hand)
  
  
• Download the OpenSCAD file that contains the snowflake generator code. It's a text file that contains the logic behind generating snowflakes https://www.thingiverse.com/download:1835031

If you have any questions or problems, drop in to open studio for assistance.

A Little Bit About OpenSCAD
OpenSCAD bills itself as "The Programmers Solid 3D CAD Modeller." From their about page: 

Unlike most free software for creating 3D models (such as Blender) it does not focus on the artistic aspects of 3D modelling but instead on the CAD aspects. Thus it might be the application you are looking for when you are planning to create 3D models of machine parts but pretty sure is not what you are looking for when you are more interested in creating computer-animated movies.

About Your Guide For This Event
Annette Walker is the ETA Studio Lead. She got hooked on OpenSCAD when she used it to design replacement stove knobs that she 3D printed at BARN. These knobs are still in use today. She has an undergrad in engineering. Her favorite use of engineering is to get computers and machines to do the work for her so she can go off and tinker with new projects.

Contacts: Annette Walker ETA Studio Lead at eta.lead@bainbridgebarn.org

About ETA Sunday Tech Talks
Mark your calendar for the second Sunday of each month when ETA holds a free tech talk. Topics are wide-ranging by design. Free for members and non-members. Contact eta.lead@bainbridgebarn.org to volunteer for a future talk or to share your ideas for an interesting topic.

January's tech talk will be about slide rules, the tool used to help us get to the moon and back yet is a perplexing instrument to today's engineers. Mark your calendar for January 13, 2019 at 1:00 pm.

AW

Reviewed: 11-12/tt