I once told myself that blogs are for pretentious people and persons who think too much of their opinions. Now, on the request of a close personal friend of mine I am writing one as well.
Now don't get me wrong. I have flashes of pride regarding my opinions and ideas at times. However, there was something lurking in the back of my mind that was saying "don't start a blog… it's too much work… and you are certainly no guru of 3D scanning and rapid manufacturing like you think you are".
I think that is how I will approach this blog. I will approach it as the educated layman. Well, I will approach it like the experienced layman at the very least. Actually, I will be approaching it as the layman who cherishes the words of Thomas Edison that go like this…"I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward".
Let's face it. I started my interest in this stuff from a bazaar place. I am a special effects makeup artist. I say "am" because there is something about special makeup effects that scar you in a way that no amount of plastic surgery can fix.
Makeup effects can be something wonderful and grand. Innovators like Dick Smith and Rick Baker constantly challenged the limits of materials and methods and encouraged others to do so too. Somewhere along the lines that childlike eagerness and origination got replaced with remuneration and now its all about cheaper, faster, and flashier.
Enter 3D scanning and Rapid Manufacturing. In my opinion, you really can't have cheaper, faster, and flashier in a conversation and not think of technology. Coupled with the use of 3d sculpting tools like Pixologic's Zbrush; 3D scanning and rapid manufacturing are exponentially changing art. Traditional special makeup effects and art fabrications will never be the same.
These next blog posts will probably come fast and furious as I have many stories and comments to post on some recent readings I had, my experience speaking at the 3D imaging and Rapid shows in Anaheim, and some recent jobs(names will be changed to protect the innocent). Eventually, I will try to get out new blog postings once a week. You can also follow us on twitter. Look for Behold3D. I encourage you to tweet any questions you have about 3D scanning and rapid manufacturing. I will do my best to answer them quickly. Thanks for looking!
In closing, this seems appropriate, coming from a special makeup effects guy who is now into 3d direct digital manufacturing...Human Ashes
