The document presents the research and development of haptic technology and its application in digital design for artists and designers, led by Ann Marie Shillito at Edinburgh College of Art. It discusses barriers in current CAD systems and the aim of projects such as 'Tacitus' and 'DrawnReality' to enhance intuitive interaction through haptic devices for 3D modeling and rapid prototyping. The outcomes include the commercialization of the Anarkik3D software and hardware, aimed at making digital design more accessible and affordable for various sectors.

1. ArcIntTex Conference 2018
Creative Digital Anarky
Ann Marie Shillito,
Designer maker / jeweller
Founder and CEO of Anarkik3D Ltd
Honorary Research Fellow, Edinburgh College of Art

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My background: 1990 to 1998
Laser cutting and 3D printing

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To quote Peter Dormer:
“It is not craft as ‘handicraft’ that defines
contemporary craftsmanship:
it is craft as knowledge that empowers a
maker to take charge of technology.”

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To participate in using industrial
technologies you need digital data.

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Barriers:
• CAD Interfaces: complicated, overcrowded
• non-intuitive interactions, constraining
• Mouse: 2 DoF (up/down, left/right)
• Non coherent for 3D
Research Fellowship: practice based (Design/Applied Arts) at eca,
1999 – 2006: How best to access industrial technologies:
• Computer Aided Design (CAD)
• laser cutting, rapid prototyping

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Research Fellowship focus:
Are advantages of digital outweighed by
cumbersome conventional CAD/ WIMP
interfaces?
CAD: computer aided design
WIMP: windows, icon, mouse, pointer
1st year fellowship work:
Learn Rhino for design for
coffee table

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Early outcomes:
1. test pipeline:
concept/CAD /3D printed
prototypes
2. AHRC funding for
research
Concept of 3D printing

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‘Tacitus’ Research Project 2000 - 2004
Ann Marie Shillito: Principle Investigator, ECA Research Fellow
Dr. Mark Wright: Co-Investigator
University of Edinburgh. Research Fellow (EdVEC/Informatics).
investigating haptic technology as a more intuitive way of
working on computer for Designers and Applied Artists

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Aims of Tacitus Project :
• To explore the potential advantages of being able to work, think
and respond to physical and visual stimuli, in a virtual, fully three-
dimensional, non-gravity context, with particular reference to the
education of designers and artists and the development of 3
dimensional work.
• To discover the degrees of haptic (touch) and other multi-sensory
feed back required within digital systems to assist designers and
artists to work more intuitively.
• To develop viable software applications and virtual ‘handtools’ to
enhance the creative practice of applied artists
www2.eca.ac.uk/tacitus

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Skills
Constraints
Affordances
Tacit knowledge
co-location
stereovision
2 handedness
CAD
digital drawing
Precision
Rigid Geometry
Sensory Feedback
Touch, sight
sound
smell
Creative Process
Germinal phase - divergent
Exploring, Playing, Experimenting,
Thinking, Searching
Practical phase –convergent
Sketching & Modelling
Haptic devices: gloves,
force feedback
Rapid prototyping
Layer manufacture
Laser cutting
3D printing
CAM
Intuitive digital applications
with transmodal and spatial
interaction
Technology
(quantifiable)
Design
(qualitative)
Transformations
Tools
Texture, compliance,
size & shape, mass
Physical Properties
of materials:
Working
Practice
shutter glasses, Motion capture, VR
Selecting, visualising
rendering
2/3D dimensions
Coherence
6DOF
computer, mouse, keyboard
Scope of Tacitus
Research

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• Skills, Constraints, tacit knowledge
• Manual activity for reasoning on forms
• Touch - natural interface to real world
Working
Practice
www2.eca.ac.uk/tacitus

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Reachin Interface:
Haptic (force-feedback) device
6 degrees of freedom (6DoF)
stereovision
co-located environment
Design
(qualitative)
WIMP system
(windows/icon/mouse/p
ointer)

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Haptic Devices:
• 6 degrees of freedom - 6 DoF:
up/down left/right forward/back)
Usability: best but EXPENSIVE!
Technology
(quantifiable)

14. WIMP system:
Methodologies: Quantitative: time, mouse clicks. Qualitative: Nasa Taskload, SUS.
Study: simple positioning
task compared on conventional
computer UI & on haptic
system.
Test candidates: 10 3D
StudioMax users (2 – 10 yrs
experience)
Reachin system
Quantitative: mouse clicks

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Quantitative: time
Qualitative:
Top right: Task load
(lower the better)
Left: System usability
(higher the better).

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Haptic 3D sketching
demonstrator:
system usability and task load

17. Outcomes: CD & Website - www2.eca.ac.uk/tacitus
DrawnReality - sketch/modelling demonstrator
DrawnReality Project - create models/export for 3D printing
www2.eca.ac.uk/tacitus

18. HandsOn Proof of Concept Project:
 2004 - 2006
 Business Plan / business models to spin-out / IP
 Market research: 3 demonstrators
 Designer evaluated application for conceptualising
 DrawnReality Project
Top: demonstrator for
animation
Centre: 3D digital model
of chain for RP
Below: digital forming
with haptics
James Glencross : concept for bench
(& rendered in commercial package)

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DrawnReality sketch/modelling demonstrator:
test system, software, export format for 3D printing.

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DrawnReality
Project

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Objects by 4 of the 7 designers involved: Hazel White, David Poston, Anne Finlay
and Suzanne Esser
Tangible outcomes: DrawnReality Project
Fusing two technologies – digital haptic 3D sketching and 3D printing

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Claude Heath:
‘Acrobats’ 3D printed
marquette from 3D digital
sketch, and detail from 3D
digital sketch
DrawnReality Project:

23. Commercialisation of Research:
Spin out: Anarkik3D Ltd, founded 2006/2007:
• 2007-2009: SMART Award, SE Business Support
• 2008-2011: from bespoke to developing own brand
• Anarkik 3D Design: affordable haptic sketch modelling package
• Markets: Creative sector (Education, Companies, professionals,
amateurs)
• Sales, via distributors with joint marketing
• Shortlisted for educational Bett Award 2011
Designs and models by: Wytze, Caspar & friend, Birgit, Helen, Farah Bandookwala, Ann Marie Shillito,

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Future Products/Services:
 Own brand Product:
 software for concept generation for Design Products
 Plug-in Applications and Demonstrators:
 haptic enhancement for conventional software packages
Initial Products/Services:
 Bespoke Software Applications
 Concept Demonstrators: disruptive
 Software for OEMs:
 bundled with their systems, stand
alone
Haptic ‘dashboard’ for BMW, in
collaboration with Reachin

25. Illustration taken from Sketchup Presentation for i.materialise
conference. Can be seen here http://vimeo.com/11322333
To participate in using industrial technologies you need digital data.
Key for own brand: affordability, usability
SketchUp?
DrawnReality

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Illustration taken from Sketchup Presentation for i.materialise conference. Can be seen here http://vimeo.com/11322333
Price range for 2D/3D CAD packages: : $10K to free
‘Pro’ users/costly CAD to general users/free products:

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• ground breaking software
• virtual touch: familiar
• easy & fun to learn/use
• serendipity built in
• antidote to CAD
• great for non-CAD users
• CrowdFunding for development
• Early adopter support
• crowd sourcing / feedback
Anarkik 3D Design bundle:
Cloud9 haptic 3D modelling s/ware
& Falcon Haptic device

28. Falcon haptic device
• force feedback
• 3DoF
• affordable
• robust
Cloud9:
haptic 3D modelling s/ware
• Non complex interface
• Easy to move & rotate objects & world
• Easy to manipulate, deform, scale, construct, subtract
• Export file formats: direct to 3D printing and some CAD (e.g. Rhino)

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Sketchup
Differentiation: usability, free form
modelling.
Freebies: CAD-like
• steep learning curve
• complex interfaces
• Troublesome export formats
• Not designed for 3D printing
Professional packages:
• steep learning curves
• complex interfaces
• expensive
Illustration adapted from Sketchup Presentation for i.materialise
conference. Can be seen here http://vimeo.com/11322333
‘Exciting’:
essential for
motivation to
persevere with
‘hard’

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Cloud9 interface: range of tools, plus 3 degrees of
freedom & haptics – enables delicate manipulation

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Cloud9 interface: non complex, fun, good for freeform.
Falcon device robust, easy navigation in 3D space

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Cloud9 interface: balance between organic form creation/
serendipity and controlled/constrained actions

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3D digital data + industrial technologies =
exciting business opportunities:
• for design, applied arts, 3D arts sectors
Anarkik 3D Design package + 3D printing =
• ‘quick & dirty’ idea generation & prototyping:
• Fast iterations: explore multiple options
• Testing: ‘fast and early’ failure best
• low costs for bundle and 3D printing
• easy access to 3D modelling for non CAD users
Farah
Bandookwalla
Birgit Laken
Elizabeth Armour Sandra WIlson

34. Farah Bandookwala: Masters
Degree , ECA, 2010:
Cloud9/Rhino/3D printing

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Farah Bandookwala:
Jerwood Makers Award 2011.
(Touring exhibition of work by the 4
awardees)

36. Dr Sandra Wilson, Jewellery
Dept at Dundee University.
Collaborative Research
Project: Science and Art.
Left: 3D printed ‘red blood
corpuscle’.
Below, Brooch.

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3D printing
(1) Digital model ‘bacon-sliced.
(2) Digital slices sent to printer
) Layers physically built into 3D object.
Different systems & range of materials.
(3a) Extrusions: plastics, edibles,
composites
(3b) Sintered: plastics, starches, metals
Other materials/systems: resin, sheet,
paper

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Shapeways, i.materialise:
• democratising 3D printing
• Set up account
• upload designs.
• Fast feedback:
re. size, materials.
• Cost: good value
• click to order.
• Own page.
• Gallery.
• Shop.
• ‘Co-designing’.
• Competitions.
• Offers.

39. For laser cutting &
3D printing:
design your own,
construct it
yourself
Ponoko (New Zealand)
started democratisation with
easy to use,
low cost service

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Sculpteo in France.
• 3D printing, DYO,
• low cost service
• easy to use
• Customisation
software

41. Affordable bundle:
Anarkik 3D Design
plus Personal 3D
printers!
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Thank you.
Hands-on demo of Anarkik 3D Design
in Inspace after symposium.
PS.
My book
‘Digital Crafts: Industrial Technologies for
Applied Artists and Designer Makers’
to be published Sept. 2013