An Interview

September 04, 2014 in CAD, Interior Design, Interiors, SketchUp, 3D Modeling, 3D Scanning, 3D Printing, Architecture

So. I am being Interviewed these days :)

I was recently interviewed about the Independent Study I am taking in my Interior Design program at Harcum College. In this course I will work closely with my SketchUp trainer, Dan Brown while looking into 3D laser technologies, 3D Scanning, 3D Modeling and 3D Printing. "The Good Stuff". The study itself has sparked a little interest after myself and Dan Brown scanned the Charles H. Trout Library on the Harcum College campus last week. After scanning the library we plan to use the data to build the library as a 3D Model in Trimble's SketchUp.

Dan Brown (Sketchup Trainer / DB-3D) and myself, Elly Ball in the Charles H. Trout Library at Harcum College

Questions from Anders Back Director of Internal Communications and Publications at Harcum College

1) How did you become interested in 3D modelling in design? How long has this technology been available?

I have always had an interest with laser scanning technology. You could say, it runs in the family. Although saying that, I never thought I would actually work within the industry.

While taking Dan Brown's Sketchup class in the Interior Design program, I became more and more interested in 3D modeling; I started to really understand how laser technology could be used to aid my work and design. Because of my connection with the laser industry, I became more and more interested in the new software and technologies being made available. I then talked with Dan Brown and Heidi Techner (Program Director for Interior Design) about doing this Independent Study to really explore 3D modeling in more depth.

3D Laser scanning technology has been around for many years but it was not until the Faro Focus 3D, that it was suddenly more affordable and user friendly. This opened up many new markets for the industry, including Interior Design and Architecture.

2) Is this the first time you have worked with this type of 3D Scanner?

No, I have worked with this type of laser scanner before, around 2011 when I was working at my father's company in the UK.

3) Does it help to have a photographic background when using the Camera/ 3D Scanner?

A camera and the 3D scanner (Trimble TX5/ Faro Focus 3D) are similar but by no means the same. A camera only collects color information about what it sees, while a 3D scanner does more than this; it collects distance information. The 3D laser scanner used in my project measures horizontal and vertical angles plus distance +/- 1mm. At the rate of 1 million points a second the scanner quickly 'digitizes in 3D, the entire room/space in minutes. The instrument will then take a composite 360º photo overlay to overlay the 3D model and give it a 'virtual reality', the model produced is true to scale and accurate to a millimeter.

Once a 3D model has been produced it can be exported to CAD programs like Trimble's SketchUp and used for multiple purposes within Architecture/ Design e.g Reverse engineering of a building, modifying the building and cutting and pasting '3D object' such as furniture into the model. This offers users a massive time and cost saving over existing methodologies. Conventional 2D floor plans and sections can then be produced automatically from the 3D model using CAD software.

4) Do you have personal career goals in photography/ 3D scanning that include design work, or center around design work?

For the last 5 years I have worked as an Interior and Architectural Photographer and so my work has always centered around design work. But, I am always wanting to grow and learn new technologies, expanding my skills. This resulted in my entering into the Interior Design program at Harcum College. While working with Trimble's Sketchup and now the 3D scanner, I can confidently say that they will both be included in my personal career goals. And yes, I have always had a fascination with property, buildings since a young age and so my career will most definitely steer within the lines of Design/ Architecture.

Checkout the article on Harcum's website :

http://harcum.edu/s/1044/edu/social.aspx?sid=1044&gid=1&pgid=2159&cid=4123&ecid=4123&crid=0&calpgid=880&calcid=3038

To see the captured 3D Scan Data check out the YouTube video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz9osAR3X_E&feature=youtu.be

Starting with SketchUp

August 15, 2014 in Interiors, Property, CAD, SketchUp, Interior Design

SketchUp ... "intuitive, current and FUN!"

As well as a Professional Interior & Architectural Photographer, I am also an Interior Design student. As a student in this field, I have been introduced to the many programs and software of Computer Aided Design and modeling programs such as Trimble's SketchUp. I was eager to get to this stage after all the long hours of hand drafting and perspective drawing. I felt that as much as it was important to have the skills by hand, it is equally as important to have the skills in the digital world; to be able to manipulate designs and show prospective clients a vision so true and photo realistic that they won't believe that in fact, it is not a photograph.

Photorealistic image created using SketchUp's Plugin, Podium.                                                     &nbsp… — Photorealistic image created using SketchUp's Plugin, Podium. © Elly Ball

Although I found the AutoCad programs extremely useful, I did not start to have fun until I worked with SketchUp. SketchUp is a 3D modeling program that is so user friendly you can learn how to draw basic design in 3D within a few hours. I loved how simple and straightforward it was. None of this "long way round everything, just to get somewhere", attitude of other modeling and CAD programs. It is intuitive, current and FUN! I can spend hours enjoying myself while working at the same time.

After seeing how brilliantly SketchUp can convey a design and/ or vision, I now plan to learn more advanced techniques and continue my journey into the new and advancing technologies of 3D modeling. Stay tuned ;)

My first blog- Labels

June 03, 2014 in Photography, Interiors, Property

Listen to this blog via SoundCloud here

"Hello!" ... welcome to my first blog post :)

Labels are a funny thing, I call myself an Interior & Architectural Photographer, but really I am much more than this; as I believe everyone's job titles entail much more than they let on. People these days 'wear many hats' and do many things within their own job label. To begin with, photography plays a rather big part in what I do as a living, and I enjoy it thoroughly. The clients I work with, mainly property professionals including but not limited to; realtors, developers, architects and interior designers; require my services as a professional photographer. But times are evolving and changing, technologies advancing, and so we are loosing the simplicity of a label and becoming much more in our new complexed roles. For example, my clients want to 'stand out from the crowd', and so, are always on the lookout for new ways to market themselves and stay ahead of their competition, as am I. On a daily basis, I will photograph an entire property adding my artistic flare with each shot, and styling the space, perhaps moving objects around, 'setting the scene' and making it my own.

I will then survey the property and draw up a floor plan using the latest laser equipment. I return to my office space and process my photographs, spending hours editing and analysing my shots, and drawing up the floor plan I produced earlier, using CAD software. I then might want to update my social media and portfolio to stay ahead with my own competition.

Over the next few months I intend to explore two new mediums within reach of my own industry; to further my career and continue my exploration of 'new hats'. Video and 3D modeling are proving more and more popular, particularly video as it is the most logical step forward from photography. 3D modeling less so, but, it is on the rise as laser scanning technologies and 3D modeling software are becoming cheaper and more user friendly. (More on this to come in later blogs.)

So yes I am an Interior & Architectural Photographer, but I am also; an interior stylist, a floor planner, surveyor of sorts, photo editor, retoucher, CAD professional, creative, occasional salesperson, marketing professional; and so the list shall continue to grow, as I do. And then I might have to reconsider my label, or maybe not. Maybe I should think outside of this label, number, brand, box, what I do, and think of something that simply explains my day to day life. Explains something about me and who I am, while allowing myself the freedom to explore the bigger picture. Maybe I do not have to tell you what I do, using a single label, but perhaps, I can express to you through one or more of the many mediums of technology that are available. And so, to get started, my first blog.