We created a 3D-printed frame for our Impala bead design. We began by using LEGO bricks to create a prototype design to hold the beads on the paper. We initially pinched the paper between LEGO pieces to provide stability; however, the beads still fell out of their designated holes under external pressure. We realized we needed to create a pillar and structure that would provide more support for the paper to stand upright with enough clearance from the table. When designing our 3D frame, we created 2 rows of horizontal stabilizers with holes that matched the original grid so that the beads could align with the pillars for aesthetic purposes. We also had to ensure the frame dimensions matched the paper we were using so the holes from the original template aligned. We used InkScape, TinkerCAD, and Bambu to slowly but surely put the pieces together in stages! We had trouble uploading our 2D draft to TinkerCAD, but with further research, we were able to upload the objects successfully. We are very excited to continue on with this project!
Kennedy and I first created a 2D collage of two African Bush Elephants and one Lilac-breasted Roller bird. We wanted to make sure to include many animals and thought it would be sweet to have two elephants to represent mother and baby. We also incorporated a baobab tree, as well as some grass, and a bright sun. Layering the images was a challenge, but very fun to figure out where each image should be placed. It definitely was a process, but it is nice to remember that nothing has to stay in one place, so moving around images to see what looks best is welcomed. We had originally started with one elephant, but thought there was empty space, so that is when we decided to add a baby elephant. Then, we added our nature elements to create a nature scene for our animals.
Next, we created a 3D folding collage, which was a new version of our 2D paper collage of our two African Busch Elephants and Lilac-breasted Roller bird. Instead of putting two elephants we chose to use one to highlight the elephant’s figure. We also decided to highlight the bird and baobab tree by making them bigger. It was definitely more of a challenge to create our 3D folding collage because of the folding part, but once we understood that the papers folded like an accordion/a zigzag pattern the process flew by!
So sorry for the delay in posting! We love your designs and creations, and we cannot wait to see what else you will make!
All of the collages and shadow boxes are inspiring! … This is off topic, but I have friend, Sheila Cochran, who is an elementary teacher in Ohio. She asked her students to name five animals from Africa. One little boy responded, “Three elephants and two giraffes.”
I started by finding a great photo of a buffalo on Google, along with some clean, simple graphics of trees and grass. To make the detailed buffalo photo easier to cut, I ran it through an online image-processing tool to turn it into a stylized, cartoon-like image with clear lines.
Next, I imported the images into Inkscape. I used the trace bitmap feature to grab the clean outlines and then used the “simplify” tool to smooth out the paths. Reducing the number of nodes is a crucial step—it ensures the cutting blade glides smoothly without snagging. I saved the final outlines as .dxf files.
I imported the .dxf files into Silhouette Studio and sent them to a Silhouette Portrait 3 die cutter. I used different colored cardstock for each element (grey for the background trees, brown for the buffalo, and green for the grass foreground). After a precise cut, I carefully glued the layers together to give the final piece its dimensional, 3D look.
Let me know if you have any questions about the Inkscape settings or the cutting parameters!
By: Precious Siisa and Emma Kuloba- Hawthorne-Scribner High School, Bududa Uganda
Hey everyone! Emma and I wanted to share a project we just finished in our Innovations class at Hawthorne Scribner High School. We wanted to create a scene of the African savanna hunt, and we’re proud of how the final piece turned out!
Our process started with searching online for the perfect images. We downloaded a few different elements: a leaping antelope, native savanna grass, trees, and the iconic figure of the Bushman with his bow and arrow from the movie “The Gods Must Be Crazy”.
Once we had our images, we brought them into Inkscape. First, we used the Trace Bitmap feature to get clean, sharp outlines from the photos. After that we used the Simplify tool to smooth out the paths and reduce the number of nodes.
After saving our outlines as .dxf files, we imported the files into Silhouette Studio and sent them to our Portrait 3 die cutter.
We picked out different colored cardstock for each specific element to give the piece some depth—green for the grass, grey for the trees, brown for the bushman, and a bright yellow for the sun. After the Portrait 3 cut out all our pieces, we glued the layers together onto an orange background.
It took a lot of patience and teamwork to get everything lined up perfectly, but we love the final 3D effect.
