Tag: drawing

Categories
Maker/Development

mDrawBot is the Transformer that took up an art career

Makeblocks give intrepid DIYers a versatile assortment of parts to make whatever kind of robots they can dream up, all in conjunction with components like Raspberry Pi or an Arduino board.

Now, the same team behind Makeblocks has come up with mDrawBot. mDrawBot is a kit of specific Makeblocks used in conjunction with a proprietary Arduino board. Together, they can be used to create a 4-in-1 drawing robot capable of fulfilling whatever artistic impulses one can think up. The product’s hands-on nature may scare off some, but it’s all worth it when one considers that the mDrawBot can be configured into four different forms. The first is the mSpider, which can draw and paint on any vertical surface, and whose string lengths are adjustable to increase its range.

Its second form is the mScara, used to draw on paper with an installed pen, or engrave on material like wood if a laser diode is installed. Its third form is mEggBot, used solely with eggs and other oval-shaped objects similar to eggs. Lastly, its final form is the mCar, used to draw on the floor. The kit’s versatility promises to be extremely useful in a number of varied, albeit specific, situations. Even if the DIY nature of mDrawBot is challenging to some, the product holds a lot of appeal for others.

A standard mDrawBot kit costs $179, and is compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux. A May 2015 ship date is dependent of the success of its $50,000 campaign goal which ends on May 28.

 

 

Categories
Arts

Modus measuring tool fits in wallet, keeps creativity close by

It would be nice if great ideas were somewhat predictable and actually hit a person’s brain when it’s convenient–or at least when the right tools are at one’s fingertips. But since that’s not the way that creativity typically happens, many artist-types tote little tools around that they can whip out when inspiration falls out of the sky and smacks them on the head. Modus is one such handy tool.

This aircraft-grade aluminum measuring tool is touted as being the same size as a credit card and fits easily into a wallet. The multi-option drawing aide helps users to keep their angles accurate, measurements exact, lines straight and circles round. Perhaps one of its most intriguing features is that it’s 6061 aluminum makeup means that it’s RFID resistant. And for those bookworms who still enjoy a hardcopy book with old fashioned paper pages and ink, it also works great as a bookmark.

Seems like an interesting item worth checking out further for those who like to draw on a whim. Interested backers might also want to check out Vox, My Task, and Hangman. This campaign seeks to raise $1,400 on Kickstarter. Backers get one Modus for $18 with expected delivery in March 2015.

Categories
Arts

Wooden Moku block rolls out paper for your creative pursuits

Drawing is one of those pleasures in life that provides creative release and spawns unique ideas. Such is the case with Moku. While the creator of this product loves art, he also apparently loves trees. So this product is designed to allow the user to manage their artwork in such a way that paper waste is minimized by choosing the proper size of paper for every work of art. Such kindness toward nature means that more awesome works can be created in the future without fear of using up too many trees for the paper. Since Moku is made of wood, it is a constant reminder to the artist of where their paper comes from (Who’s your mama?) just in case the paper itself was not a strong enough reminder. Moku is a great tool for creative types who routinely draw up blueprints, design furniture or doodle. It is not only simplistic, but as useful and convenient as a Saran wrap dispenser. This campaign seeks to raise $3,200 by November 3. For $66, backers get one 12” Moku in their choice of wood. Larger sizes are available at higher reward tiers. Expected delivery is currently set for November 2014.

Categories
Kids/Babies Tablet Accessories

Pick up on colorful cues with Mozbii interactive stylus

The Premise. Sometimes our connected devices act as everything from babysitters to educational teachers when our children use them. The long-lasting impact of early life in front of a screen is still unknown, but for now it seems the pros safely outweigh the cons.

The Product. Mozbii is a color-selecting stylus designed with children in mind. Shaped like a lollipop and easy to hold, the stylus is crafted partially out of medical grade silica-gel and has a flexible neck. It was created to give children a new way to interact with their surroundings while they play with their tablets. Simply press Mozbii to any object in your vicinity to duplicate its color, wait for an LED light to indicate the color has been picked up, and draw with that color on several compatible apps on your tablet. There are minimal buttons, the charger port is magnetic for easier time plugging in, and the battery can last up to 10 days between charges. With a 16-bit color sensor it can recognize more than 65,000 different colors in the spectrum.

The Pitch. The original campaign video is bright and engaging, and shows how children can easily use Mozbii to “collect” and learn about different colors in their environment. The newer video featured is more of a simple demonstration by an adult who chooses colors from many objects on a table, and even includes his tee shirt and hair to paint a picture on the coloring book app. Other tidbits from the campaign page include a sneak peek at limited edition colors, product development timelines, and details to be seen in later software versions. The project is looking to fund their goal of $30,000 in 30 days.

The Perks.  Early birds who pledge $64 will receive one of the first Mozbii styluses in orange or pink. For a pledge of $15 more, you can select from one of six Mozbii colors and will even get a carrying case. Become a VIP with a pledge of $10,000 or more, which will secure you six Mozbiis, six carrying cases, a day with UFRO founder in Taipei (travel /accommodations not included), and an exclusive factory tour. You will also be one of the first to access the developer’s kit.

The Potential. The product concept is certainly unique and refreshing and has a lot of potential among parents who see value in tablets as educational tools. This technology allows children to be more aware of their environments while also incorporating the tablets that they use every day. With that said, there is much more potential for Mozbii to become a teaching tool for tots still learning about colors than what is being initially presented. The product may see more success in later versions, where the emphasis is a better hybrid of learning and fun.

Categories
Arts

SketchyNotebook blends blank pages with templates for precise creations

SketchyNotebookFinding just the right sketch pad can be one of the bigger challenges of being an artist. And a computer at a desk can seem confining and even inhibiting to the creative flow that comes with just kicking back and propping up one’s feet when dreaming up an idea in the rough draft stage. That’s where SketchyNotebook comes into the picture. It’s nearly 200 pages, lays flat, eliminates cumbersome spiral binding and rings and comes with up to six templates to help give precision to those great ideas. More templates come with a bigger contribution. Expected delivery is October 2014.

Categories
Arts

Tree-zel mounts your canvas indoors and out

Tree-zelWhich poet was it that said, “I think that I shall never see. A place to mount something on as convenient as a tree.” Thankfully, none. Tree-zel lets you keep your artwork sitting securely in the holder and mounted in a convenient spot while you take that breather. The mount presently has a couple of aliases, Tree-sel and Tree-zle, since it can also be mounted to a tree for outdoor painting. The industrious prototype will likely be appreciated by nature painters and still life artists for being easy to use and having space-saving functionality. For $200, backers get a complete product, with an expected delivery of June 2014.