This Week we were at FabLab again for our 2nd round. I got to learn about Laser Cutters and how they can do so much more than model buildings. All I ever used laser cutters for was to design and model building for architecture studio other than that I haven’t really gotten to experience all the cool things I can use laser cutters for. I also was able to learn a new software called inkscape which is similar for Adobe Illustrator but is free for unlike Illustrator which requires monthly payments.
Fab lab has not only shown us new technologies that we can use on campus but also a variety of new software’s that are available for free to use in place things that cost money like Autodesk software’s and Adobe Software’s. InkScape has proven to be a great alternate to Illustrator. Here is a link that shows some more great alternatives to Adobe: http://www.creativebloq.com/illustrator/alternative-to-illustrator-1131664
This just shows me that we can all do creative things on our computers without having to pay for really expensive software’s. I was able to laser cut these two keychains I had designed prior to coming in this Monday. I was hoping to try to laser cut these files. I was able to take AutoCad Files and convert and edit them in inkscape then convert them into PDFs and get them printed.
After I got my key chains cut I showed some of my friends in fraternity and sororities around campus and they were all asking if it would be possible for me to make them some as well. I feel like I can make a fun little side business out of this. I have all the means and the access to all the things I would need and to make them and it is not expensive at all either. I remember our first day at the FabLab they said one of the workers there runs a little Esty account on through the FabLab. I think that would be so much fun to do If I could create make and sell things for a little extra income as well.