backstaydesign

Sheet metal for Blender

Getting decent looking aluminium plate in my renderings is something I have been trying to do for a while now, I am quite happy with what I have come up with. Although in a months time I’ll probably change my mind. Starting out I was determined to use procedural textures, as too many image mapsContinue reading “Sheet metal for Blender”

The Ultimate CAD Keyboard?

Over the years the number of peripherals on my desk has grown, and changed. When I started out it was with a keyboard and mouse that someone was throwing out, so they could best be described as modest. I’ll skip the blow by blow account of the various options I have tried over the pastContinue reading “The Ultimate CAD Keyboard?”

Fusion 360 for Boat Design Pt2

I am in the process of wrapping up my first boat from start to finish in Fusion 360. The start being my interpretation of the design brief, and the finish being the G code for the CNC machine (and of course construction drawings for the floor). And as we are all so much cleverer inContinue reading “Fusion 360 for Boat Design Pt2”

Blender for Rendering Pt.2

Having spent the past few weeks working on renderings in Blender makes me realize how little I knew before, and how important it is to have enough of an understanding of my software to get out the results that is is capable of. So I dialed back and watched the Blender 2.8 fundamental tutorials. TheyContinue reading “Blender for Rendering Pt.2”

My first year as a Freelancer

The end of this month marks exactly 1 year since I decided to freelance full-time, and what a roller coaster it has been.. My initial plan when I moved to Cape Town almost 3 years ago was for my career – I had been offered a job at a naval architect. Prior to that IContinue reading “My first year as a Freelancer”

Fusion 360 for sheet metal

After spending years with Inventor, I have spent the last few months getting my head around Fusion 360, some of which can be detailed here: https://backstaydesign.com/2020/06/07/fusion-360-for-boat-design/ . I have been working on smaller, faster jobs lately, that have dovetailed beautifully with Fusions top-down workflow. This has extended into the sheet metal tools, with the moreContinue reading “Fusion 360 for sheet metal”

(Proper) Parametric Modeling

I just wrapped up a smallish job, modeling up a hull attachment that is driven by around 70 parameters! The rationale behind this was that while the number of model components remain fixed, the hull attachment has to be able to be modified to suit a wide variety of hulls. And as such the geometryContinue reading “(Proper) Parametric Modeling”

Preparing a scale model-part2

Following my initial model handover, I requested a Skype with the boatyard and the company who will be doing the 3d print. I was looking for clarification on my initial model, as well as the other details that I would need to include with regard to deck fittings, hand rails and the like. The 3dContinue reading “Preparing a scale model-part2”

Preparing a scale model-part 1

I have spent the better part of the past year modelling up an 87m vessel, first the structure and then the spooling, which I have previously written about here. Last week I was asked to prepare a model in order for a 1.2m scale model to be built. I have worked on the assumption thatContinue reading “Preparing a scale model-part 1”

My introduction to PolyCad

One again my never-ending quest for top notch free software led me to PolyCad, a hull design, hydrostatics, (and now hydrodynamics) software package. I am not a Naval Architect, and don’t pretend to be one. I am more than happy to leave the number crunching to the experts and to spend my time solving geometricContinue reading “My introduction to PolyCad”