Starting a Makerspace on Zero Dollars a Day.

an introduction to free (or inexpensive) maker resources.

Michelle FolkmanInstructional Technology SpecialistDavidson County Community Collegemichelle_folkman@davidsonccc.edu

Brown BiggersSystems Programmer

UNC Greensboro University Librariesfbbigger@uncg.edu

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).

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).

Libraries are changing.

… activities …

vintage viandscookbooks!

holiday cardsbring over your throwaway

holiday decorations!

(used with permission) flickr: zenjazzygeek, “Salmon Up” 2011

(used with permission) flickr: zenjazzygeek, “Salmon Up” 2011

take-apartshave old electronics to

dismantle and re-mantle?

lego lego LEGO!

Ask for community members to donate, or

check out garage and yard sales.

flickr: woodleywonderworks, “permutation” 2008flickr: woodleywonderworks, “permutation” 2008

… hardware …

“Hardware”

Tiko (et al.)

Egg-bot

Makeymakey & Makeymakey

GO!

Squishy circuits

Snap Circuits

… software & sites …

Smithsonian3d.si.edu/browserDescription: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.

GrabCADgrabcad.comDescription:Online repository of CAD drawings and projects

Pros:Many files available. Detailed mechanical entries.

Cons:Primarily oriented towards the engineer community, but still accessible.

NASA Repositoriesnasa3d.arc.nasa.gov/Description:NASA created files and scans of spacecraft, celestial objects, and tools.

Pros:Authentic NASA verified files.

Cons:Limited number.

Tinkercadwww.tinkercad.comDescription: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.

Blenderwww.blender.orgDescription: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.

Sculptrispixologic.com/sculptrisDescription:‘Digital Sculpting’ tool.

Pros:Fun and intuitive to use.

Cons:Must be careful if end result is for 3D printing.

3D Tinwww.3dtin.comDescription: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.

3D Slashwww.3dslash.netDescription: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.

OpenSCADwww.openscad.orgDescription: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.

123d Circuits123d.circuits.ioDescription: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.

Project Shapeshiftershapeshifter.ioDescription: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.

Sonic Sculpturesblairneal.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).

InkScapeinkscape.orgDescription: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.

Image to Lithophane3dp.rocks/lithophaneDescription:Turn a picture into a 3D model

Pros:Web based. no signup, good results

Cons:Slightly clunky software

Tinkerplay (Modio)www.123dapp.com/tinkerplayDescription: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.

123d Makewww.123dapp.com/makeDescription: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.

Onshapewww.onshape.comDescription: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.

Meshlabmeshlab.sourceforge.netDescription: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!

… vendors …

Production Vendors

Shapeways

Sketchfab - news! free business account for cultural institutions

My Mini Factory

Hero Forge

My Makie

Spoonflower

… questions? …