The Gift
For my little sister's birthday, I wanted to create something unique - a faceted 3D model of her beloved dog.
The Original Plan
I designed the model in SolidWorks with an ambitious goal:
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Create a low-poly faceted dog model
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Flatten the model into 2D patterns
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Laser cut the pieces from metal sheets
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Solder them together into a metal sculpture
The Pivot
Time constraints prevented me from completing the metalwork. But I still had the 3D model, and I had access to a 3D printer...
Going Big
I decided to 3D print the dog at real size:
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1 meter tall
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1 meter long
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Printed in sections and assembled
The final piece is a striking low-poly sculpture that captures the essence of the dog in geometric form.
The Lesson
Sometimes the best projects come from adapting to constraints. The metal version might have been more elegant, but the 3D printed version was achievable and equally impressive. Engineering is often about finding the solution that works, not the solution that's perfect.
Not Everything is Research
This project reminds me that engineering skills serve more than just academic or professional purposes. Sometimes you just want to make something beautiful for someone you love.