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This exclusive course is part of the program:
DigiFab: Introduction to Digital Fabrication
Go at your own pace
4 Sessions / 10 hours of work per session
Price

Program ($500 USD)
Certificate
Included w/ premium membership ($20/month)
Program
DigiFab: Introduction to Digital Fabrication
Skill Level
Beginner
Video Transcripts
English
Topics
Digital Fabrication, Autodesk Fusion 360, 2D design, 3D design, CNC Routers, Fabrication Techniques

Not available for purchase in India

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DigiFab 2D: Laser, CNC and Waterjet

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Go at your own pace
4 Sessions / 10 hours of work per session
Price

Program ($500 USD)
Certificate
Included w/ premium membership ($20/month)
Program
DigiFab: Introduction to Digital Fabrication
Skill Level
Beginner
Video Transcripts
English
Topics
Digital Fabrication, Autodesk Fusion 360, 2D design, 3D design, CNC Routers, Fabrication Techniques

Not available for purchase in India

Course Sponsor

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Course Description

Now that you know how everything works in theory, it's time to learn how to actually do it. During this course you will learn how to manipulate vector and raster imagery in Adobe Illustrator and Autodesk Fusion 360 to create files that can be successfully cut out with computer controlled machines such as laser cutters, CNC routers and water jet. This course is designed to familiarize you with the software that will enable you to get what's in your head into your hands. This course is all about 2D design and fabrication for both flatwork such as stickers and papercraft, as well as 3D assemblies from 2D parts.

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schedule

This course is in adaptive mode and is open for enrollment. Learn more about adaptive courses here.

Session 1: Adobe Illustrator: Finding your Path (November 26, 2024)
In this session, we will be using AI’s vector creation tools to make cut lines and engraved lines in materials ranging from paper to hot dogs.
5 lessons
1. Introducing Illustrator
2. Opening Illustrator: The User Interface
3. Menus, Tools, and Hotkeys Time
4. Let's Check Out Some Tools
5. Application: Making a Flower Path
Session 2: Adobe Illustrator for Laser Cutting (December 3, 2024)
Learning Illustrator is one thing, making laser cuttable and engravable files is another. During this session you will learn what you need to consider to make a successful design that is ready for laser via Ponoko, any other laser cutting service or waterjet.
7 lessons
1. Making a Vector out of a Raster Using Image Trace
2. Using the Knife Tool
3. Using the Shape Builder Tool
4. Adding More Images Using Place and the Tools in Image Trace
5. Add Cuttable/Engravable Text
6. Uploading to a Print Service
7. Conclusion
Session 3: Introduction to Autodesk Fusion 360 (December 10, 2024)
Autodesk Fusion 360 is a creator's dream. It's a strong and robust parametric drafting program that is easy to use, ever-expanding and a great visualization tool for 2d and 3d parts and full models. This session will be an introduction to its interface, tools and parameters.
13 lessons
1. An Introduction
2. Learning the Interface
3. Design History
4. Your First Component
5. The Sketch Palette
6. Dimensions, Constraints, and Parameters
7. Create a Feature - Extrude
8. Let's Make Something Now
9. Let's Make Something More
10. Making a Polar Array and Feature to an Existing Body
11. Adding a New Component to Our Assembly
12. Adding a Component - Offset Planes
13. Using a Body Over Using a Component
Session 4: Autodesk Fusion 360: Flat Pack Nesting and Hardware Integration (December 17, 2024)
During this session we will integrate Fusion’s insert feature from McMaster-Carr to start building around real world hardware. We will also be looking at methods for nesting our projects to fit on standard sizes of materials, as well as how to do dogbones for CNC cuts.
14 lessons
1. Introduction
2. Starting a Project: Construction Lines and User Parameters
3. Adding Constraints and Dimensions
4. Adding Rectangular Tabs, Creating Features and New Components
5. Fixing Mistakes Using the Timeline and Edit Feature / Sketch
6. Modifying Features Using the Combine Tool
7. Building Features Using Existing Surface Planes
8. Adding Screw Holes Using the Countersunk Hole Tool
9. Inserting McMaster-Carr Hardware into Your Model
10. Inserting an SVG for Decoration and Branding
11. Getting Everything Flat to Use the Dogbone Add-on
12. After the Fact: Adding a Captured Nut
13. Putting it Back into Illustrator for Laser Cutting
14. Conclusion
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Learning Outcomes

Below you will find an overview of the Learning Outcomes you will achieve as you complete this course.

kadenze_accomplishments_digifab_c2
DigiFab Machine Specialist
  • Develop an understanding of what digital fabrication machines are good for, their design rules, and how to design for them


kadenze_accomplishments_digifab_c2
Vectors vs. Rasters
  • Learn the Adobe Illustrator and Autodesk Fusion 360 user interfaces and file structures and what is needed to correctly create files that a machine can read
  • Learn how to design for 2D and 2.5D using Autodesk Fusion 360
kadenze_accomplishments_digifab_c2
Talk the Talk
  • Learn the professional level vocabulary of 2D fabrication terminology and fabrication techniques
Instructors And Guests
Michael Darling
Michael Darling
instructor

Michael Darling is a sculptor, fabricator and tinkerer based in Los Angeles, CA. Known for his assemblages of small wooden blocks and technically creative and highly crafted constructions. He has used his skills in fabrication and technical design on projects large and small in theater, TV, film and themed entertainment all over the world. Michael is on faculty at the California Institute of the Arts where he is the head of technical design and production for the school of theater as well as teaching Digital Fabrication for artists. Prior to teaching Michael was the technical director for Richard Foreman’s Ontological Hysteric Theater in New York City where he built and toured some of the most beautiful and technically designed sets imaginable. Michael rarely knows what is impossible and has learned over his lifetime not only how to take things apart but how to put them back together by making the parts that get lost.

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What You Need to Take This Course
  • Software:
    • Autodesk Slicer ( Free)
    • Autodesk Fusion 360 (Free)
      • Students should download Fusion 360 via a free, 3-year educational license, from this page.
    • Autodesk Meshmixer (Free)
    • Adobe Illustrator
    • *You will need administrator privileges on your computer in order to download software.
    • *You will be required to sign up for an Autodesk account in order to download software.
  • Equipment:
    • Digital caliper
    • 2 button mouse with scroll wheel
    • This class will be using a print service to make our projects, but if you have any DigiFab equipment at your disposal (a makerspace or collage fablab) you will be able to explore deeper.
  • Materials
    • You will be responsible for the cost of getting your project printed, as well as the cost of the materials, which you will select yourself.
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Additional Information

If a student signs up for the Introduction to Digital Fabrication program, it is recommended that these courses are taken sequentially.

Peer Assessment Code of Conduct: Part of what makes Kadenze a great place to learn is our community of students. While you are completing your Peer Assessments, we ask that you help us maintain the quality of our community. Please:

  • Be Polite. Show your fellow students courtesy. No one wants to feel attacked—ever. For this reason, insults, condescension, or abuse will not be tolerated.
  • Show Respect. Kadenze is a global community. Our students are from many different cultures and backgrounds. Please be patient, kind, and open-minded when discussing topics such as race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or other potentially controversial subjects.
  • Post Appropriate Content. We believe that expression is a human right, and we would never censor our students. With that in mind, please be sensitive of what you post in a Peer Assessment. Only post content where and when it is appropriate to do so.

Please understand that posts that violate this Code of Conduct harm our community and may be deleted or made invisible to other students by course moderators. Students who repeatedly break these rules may be removed from the course and/or may lose access to Kadenze.

Students with Disabilities: Students who have documented disabilities and who want to request accommodations should refer to the student help article via the Kadenze support center. Kadenze is committed to making sure that our site is accessible to everyone. Configure your accessibility settings in your Kadenze Account Settings.

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