A presentation for the North Carolina Library Association on inexpensive resources for maker activities.

1. Starting a Makerspace on Zero
Dollars a Day.
an introduction to free (or inexpensive) maker resources.
Michelle Folkman
Instructional Technology Specialist
Davidson County Community College
michelle_folkman@davidsonccc.edu
Brown Biggers
Systems Programmer
UNC Greensboro University Libraries
fbbigger@uncg.edu

2. some background...
Made possible by an LSTA Grant teaching Makerspace Curriculum to librarians.
Led multiple training sessions across North Carolina.
Hosted AcadeMAKE conference in February 2015.
Learned about resources (we’re going to share today).

3. We “discovered”:
Librarians are curious.
Librarians like to learn and share what they learned.
Librarians like to have fun.
Librarians make libraries work!
Libraries have small budgets (mostly).

4. … activities …

5. vintage viands
cookbooks!

6. holiday cards
bring over your throwaway
holiday decorations!
(used with permission) flickr: zenjazzygeek, “Salmon Up” 2011(used with permission) flickr: zenjazzygeek, “Salmon Up” 2011

7. take-aparts
have old electronics to dismantle
and re-mantle?

8. lego lego LEGO!
Ask for community members to
donate, or check out garage and
yard sales.
flickr: woodleywonderworks, “permutation” 2008flickr: woodleywonderworks, “permutation” 2008

9. … hardware …

10. “Hardware”
Tiko (et al.)
Egg-bot
Makeymakey & Makeymakey GO!
Squishy circuits
Snap Circuits

11. … software & sites …

12. Smithsonian
3d.si.edu/browser
Description:
Library of 3D scans of artifacts from the
Smithsonian Museum.
Pros:
Free files, many are downloadable for printing.
Others are in-browser virtual tours.
Cons:
Limited number of offerings, but number is
growing.

13. GrabCAD
grabcad.com
Description:
Online repository of CAD drawings and projects
Pros:
Many files available. Detailed mechanical
entries.
Cons:
Primarily oriented towards the engineer
community, but still accessible.

14. NASA Repositories
nasa3d.arc.nasa.gov/
Description:
NASA created files and scans of spacecraft,
celestial objects, and tools.
Pros:
Authentic NASA verified files.
Cons:
Limited number.

15. Tinkercad
www.tinkercad.com
Description:
A basic, but powerful CAD drawing application.
Emphasizes precision over organic sculpture.
Pros:
Web based. Easy to use. Many preset shapes
available. Good for precise shapes and
mechanical objects.
Cons:
Lacks the strength of more professional
offerings. Some users may find presets limiting.

16. Blender
www.blender.org
Description:
Powerful 3D illustration, animation, and rendering
tool.
Pros:
Open Source. Professional grade. Many options
available, widely supported online tutorial
communities.
Cons:
Learning can be intimidating for new users.
Terminology is jargon heavy.

17. Sculptris
pixologic.com/sculptris
Description:
‘Digital Sculpting’ tool.
Pros:
Fun and intuitive to use.
Cons:
Must be careful if end result is for 3D printing.

18. 3D Tin
www.3dtin.com
Description:
CAD software with extensive user project library.
Pros:
Web based. Slight learning curve, large online
community and model library.
Cons:
Requires account setup, few features.

19. 3D Slash
www.3dslash.net
Description:
3D illustration tool based on blocks of varying size.
Pros:
Web based. Can import STL and reference
photos. Very simple Minecraft-like design tool.
Cons:
Can only add or subtract cubes.

20. OpenSCAD
www.openscad.org
Description:
A math and programming based 3D drawing
program.
Pros:
Open source. Files can be created in a text
editor. Very powerful. Good at illustrating 3D
geometric concepts.
Cons:
Could be frustrating for those without an
understanding of geometry and/or programming.

21. 123d Circuits
123d.circuits.io
Description:
Software for creating circuits with a growing array
of components and embedded Arduino.
Pros:
Web based. Limitless parts. Programmable
Arduino. Very simple and flexible.
Cons:
Lacks some precision for higher end work.

22. Project Shapeshifter
shapeshifter.io
Description:
Parameter-based design tool, uses presets and
sliders to create designs.
Pros:
Web based. Even the smallest children can use
it. Runs in the cloud.
Cons:
Limited projects. Not upscalable.

23. Sonic Sculptures
blairneal.com/portfolio_page/sonic-sculptures/
Description:
3D representation of sound files.
Pros:
Interesting proof of concept. May be good for
physical representation of famous speeches.
Cons:
Very much a work in progress. Mac only (for
now).

24. InkScape
inkscape.org
Description:
2D vector design application. Good for 2D cutters
and exporting graphics for extrusion.
Pros:
Open source. Good set of features.
Cons:
How to use can be just a little opaque.

25. Image to Lithophane
3dp.rocks/lithophane
Description:
Turn a picture into a 3D model
Pros:
Web based. no signup, good results
Cons:
Slightly clunky software

26. Tinkerplay (Modio)
www.123dapp.com/tinkerplay
Description:
A drag-and-drop custom action figure design
studio.
Pros:
Huge parts library. Suitable for all ages. Lots of
customization options.
Cons:
Appears to be tablets and phones only.

27. 123d Make
www.123dapp.com/make
Description:
Converts 3D illustrations into slices for 2D
materials.
Pros:
Easily customizable and scalable for various
materials, wood, cardboard, etc.
Cons:
Precision cuts may be difficult for younger
patrons.

28. Onshape
www.onshape.com
Description:
Professional grade cloud based CAD program.
Pros:
Very powerful. Available in browser and mobile
formats.
Cons:
Limited number of documents in free version.
Steep learning curve.

29. Meshlab
meshlab.sourceforge.net
Description:
Tool used to repair issues with 3D models and
scans.
Pros:
Very powerful. Allows users to deal with many
of the problems associated with printing 3D
Files.
Cons:
Very complex. Steep learning curve. Little
documentation. No undo!

30. … vendors …

31. Production Vendors
Shapeways
Sketchfab - news! free business account for cultural institutions
My Mini Factory
Hero Forge
My Makie

32. … questions? …