Wooden Mars Rover makes “Make”

I noticed a nice uptick in traffic this morning and it seems to have originated from a Make (Online) magazine article about the Opportunity Mars Rover I finished and launched just a few days ago. Great!

3D VS Real Kits

Make magazine does bring up a very valid point in their short write-up about my company. Why does WoodMarvels.com have computer generated imagery instead of real photographs?

1) Testimonials: I’ve been slowly taking in testimonials from customers who send me pictures of the work they have produced using my (and other designers) work found here. This started recently and when I do get them, I add links on the product pages to the related blog article.

2) Cost: If I had to physically cut each and every model on WoodMarvels.com, not only would it cost a small fortune to cut but it would also necessitate a big increase in the pricing found on WoodMarvels.com. I want this site to be affordable, I don’t think people would be willing to pay 30$ for a blueprint that currently sells for 2.25$.

3) Lifestyle: I like living abroad and traveling. As such, I sometimes live out in the boonies in countries where there isn’t anybody who speaks a hint of English (this goes for customs officials too) and I don’t see myself lugging around a lot of kits in my backpack.

4) Environment: By producing everything digitally, the kits that do get made are made with a purpose to be used by the intended purchaser. As for my side, there isn’t any harm to the environment other than free floating electrons and pixels in my computer nor disposal issues. Lugging around a laser cutter on my back through airports isn’t very efficient nor is shipping plywood around the world to confirm what I already know as true.

5) 3D: I love 3D and have been doing it for all of my adult life, I have the model in digital form, it allows me to make animations showing assembly and produce the step-by-step instructions all in one shot along with the related EPS files. WoodMarvels.com would not be possible without my joy for the 3D world. I can’t even imagine producing an assembly animation using stop-motion photography.

6) Consistency: By using 3D renderings, everything across the site looks like everything else. The background, lighting and textures (except for very early models) are consistent. I like consistent.

The basic point is that WoodMarvels.com would not be possible if it wasn’t for the digital age we currently live in.

Mars Rover Opportunity: 3D Assembly Animation

Impressive laser-cut Mars rover model…er, kinda