p PAGE 9 • SUMMER 2010
SCULPTURE IN THE DIGITAL AGE Radical innovation in traditional sculpture making
Creating sculpture will radically change in this age of digital composition; the revolution will free sculptors from tedious and repetitive work, while the creative concept time will be magnified and enhanced.
A sculptor can create a complete sculpture without leaving his or her desk
Creating digital sculpture is exactly that, creating sculpture in a variety of computer programs on screen, in three dimensions, using a mouse, a drawing pad or a haptic (feed back device). “This 3-D file can then be translated into three dimensional realities by use of a CNC machine. The abbreviation CNC stands for ‘computer numerical control’, and refers specifically to a computer ‘controller’ that reads G-code instructions and drives a machine tool, a powered mechanical device typically used to fabricate components by the selective removal of material. CNC does numerically directed interpolation of a cutting tool in the work envelope of a machine. The operating parameters of the CNC can be altered via a software load program” 1
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What this means in very practical terms is that a sculptor can, without leaving his or her desk, create a 3-D file, transfer it via the internet and have a completed sculpture in a variety of mediums delivered to the studio without having touched the sculpture.
The issue of quality will become immediately apparent. Control during the creative process is essential to the sculptor. In fact, loss of control is not an issue once sculptors become fluent with the programs used. Gaining fluency does however take time. I found that using the Rhino program, on my own without external instruction took about 4 months of casual use to achieve anything like an intuitive use.
One of the benefits that may not be immediately apparent is the ability to use the file to either sell a sculpture to a client or to illustrate in three dimensions how the finished product will look and how it will appear in a given site. This will work with proposed developments that have available illustrations of the future project.
Clients are often unable to visualize how a proposed sculpture will look in a 2-D drawing, but are easily able to understand if they can see it in 3-D, and especially if it is shown on the virtual site. Some of the programs allow a movie to be made of the 3-D virtual sculpture. This movie can be burnt onto a DVD for clients to view when they wish.
1 wikipedia
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