ijustgolf pointed out that the two axis joint model was very similar to a universal joint. 

The universal joint is a mechanism used to take rotary motion round a corner. Based loosely on the two axis joint model I've put together this simple version.

I'll be making it up into a download in the next day or so.

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Experiments! I've been trying out mechanisms that use pneumatic power. 

In this mechanism the top block with the air hole is a valve, below that are two opposing pistons. 

The pistons move the valve, the valves move the pistons and so the whole thing goes back and forth - or that's the theory. Unfortunately is doesn't work. It is really close though. I reckon I need to make the air holes bigger, to let more air flow through. 

So, I'll make some modifications and try another iteration.

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I've finished the Giraffe model. It works well and, though I say so myself, it looks rather good!

I've taken the instruction photos. I'll be completing the instructions tomorrow. That's it for today though. A good days work I think!

More pictures here on my Flickr site

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All the bits printed out and ready to go!

Delivering offspring to various friends houses then time for a final build!

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I'm finishing off the art work for the Giraffe model. Next stage - the crate. I'm aiming to create a texture that looks like a wooden crate with a notice sprayed on the outside through a stencil.

I did have a look through some of the online tutorials and found various ways of creating a wood effect, some of them incredibly photo-realistic. The technique that I have opted for in the end is one I came up with through experimentation. It's not photo-realistic and might not be the most efficient way of doing things but it works and I'm pleased with the result. See what you think.

I've started off in Illustrator by dividing the crate lid part up into areas of colour. I have a separate colour block for each of the planks of the box lid. These aren't the colours I'll be using. They are just different colours to make them easy to select. I then import the file into PhotoShop and rename the layer 'Original' This is my starting point in PhotoShop, I'll now describe the rest of the process:

Go through each of the elements of the lid, for example the vertical planks and the background and copy them onto a separate layer using the magic wand tool to select. Give each layer a suitable name.

The resultant file is available for Members to download at the bottom of this post if you want to give this a try. (cratelidoriginal.psd)

Group all the layers into a single group  - rename the group 'Original'

Copy the 'Original' group and rename it to 'Modified' This leaves you with the original parts should you need to go back to them.

Set the foreground colour to RGB 255, 234, 126 and the background colour to RGB 120, 101, 46

Using the magic wand and fill tool on each layer, select first the background and fill it with the background colour, then all the other elements and fill them with the foreground colour.

Select the vertical planks layer. Select each of the planks with the magic wand and give them a wood grain effect using Filter -> Render -> Fibers

Add a small drop shadow and little Bevel and Emboss to give the planks a three dimensional look.

Select the plank ends layer. Select the plank ends with the magic wand, use the <shift> key to select multiple planks. Rotate the planks by 90 degrees (Edit -> Transform -> Rotate 90 degrees CW)

Apply the fibers effect and drop shadow + bevel to these items then rotate them back into place.

(There might be a better way of doing this but I couldn't find a way to adjust the fibers angle on PhotoShop CS5)

Complete the remaining parts in the same way - rotating them if necessary

I completed the parts by saving the file as a jpeg and dropping it into Illustrator behind the lines I had already created for the box lid. 

The finished file is available for members to download at the end of this blog post. (cratelid.pdf)

Cut out, glue together, that's it! 

Another driving lesson for #1 daughter then the giraffe head will complete the model!

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More experiments with mixing PhotoShop and Illustrator...

...this time to create a wooden crate effect for the Giraffe model. This is mainly the render -> fibre effect. with a bit of drop shadow. The stencil need as bit more work.

...and here is the result!

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A bit of PhotoShop work today. As part of the giraffe model I need some giraffe textured pelt. After a bit of experimentation this is what I have come up with.

Create a suitable size document. I use 1000x1400 pixels. Change the background layer to Layer 0 by double clicking it in the layers palette then fill with orange.

Set the foreground colour to a light cream suitable for the lines between the colour patches.

Next choose Filter -> Texture -> Stained Glass...

Choose appropriate numbers for the cell sizes and border thickness. 

Set the light intensity to zero.

Click Okay.

Use the Magic Wand tool to select the cream border lines.

Invert the selection using Select -> Invert. The orange areas will now be selected.

Create a new layer of just the orange patches by clicking 
Layer -> New Layer -> Via Copy

Change the layer names as appropriate. (Always good practice!)

Fill the bottom Borders layer with cream.

Choose the patches layer.

Use the Magic Wand tool to re-select the cream border.

Invert the selection again.

Shrink the section with Select -> Modify - > Contact. (I used 15 pixels)

Soften the edges of the selection using Feather.

Select -> Modify -> Feather  (I used 5 pixels here.)

Fill the selected areas with a dark brown colour.

Re select the outside of the orange shapes.

Add a little noise. Filter -> Noise. This will give the next filter something to work on.

Use the Crystallize filter to coarsen the texture a little.

Filter -> Pixelate -> Crystallize

Add a fur effect with the motion blur tool.

Filter -> Blur -> Motion Blur...

That's it! 

Save out the file as a .jpeg file and drop it into Illustrator. Then all that is needed is to cut it to size with a Clipping Mask

And here is the result.

I'm rather pleased with it!

Right. Off to take #1 daughter for a driving lesson. Hold on to your hats!

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I've completed the parts layout for the forthcoming Giraffe model. It's one of those where it has slightly too many parts of four sheet but not quite enough for five. I might try a bit of scaling to tidy it up.

I'm now experimenting with creating giraffe skin textures in photoshop.

<-----edit -------->

Making some progress with giraffe skin texture. That's if for one day though- off for a nice glass of red.

Night all.

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I've been working on the Pneumatic Giraffe model today. The main part is the telescoping neck. I've decided to use four sections, that said, the model could be easily modified to include more. Notice though that the wider sections get progressively shorter so there is a natural limit. Anyway - I've gone with four.

The sections of neck fit inside the other. To stop them coming right out I've glued a small double thickness card rectangle on both sides of each piece. The narrower tube has this lip on the outside, the wider piece on the outside.

The tube fit together, then, when the inner tube is pulled out the two lips meet and stop the neck flying apart.

When the head is pressed back down into the giraffe crate I had problems with some section going down too far so that when I tried extending the neck again the lips caught on the bottom end of the tube. To stop this happening I fitted an end cap to the end of the tubes with an air hole in the centre. Works a treat!

I've completed the model by making a box with lid and adding a giraffe head.

Blow through the hole and the giraffe pops out - at some speed!

Okay - so now I need to make some changes to the layout, for example I'm going to move the neck back a bit in the box to allow room for the head, then it'll be time for a bit of colour. Coming on nicely!

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Just printed out the parts sheets for an upcoming pneumatic mushroom model. All being well it should be available as a download very soon.

In the process of developing this model, I've been experimenting with some pneumatic mechanisms. I was originally going to add them to the mushroom but in the end I've decided to use these for a different model. I'll finish the mushroom first though, I know how easily I get distracted :-)

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