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┌────────────────┬───────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ What │ Where │ ╞════════════════╪═══════════════════════════════════════════════════╡ │ GIT Repository │ https://gitlab.com/snowgoonspub/spice-rack.git[1] │ ├────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ Thingiverse │ https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4568115[2] │ └────────────────┴───────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
So, holidays in the time of Covid are a rather strange affair, with not much to be done in the way of travel[^1]. But time off work is still a must, and this time I've taken the opportunity to try and learn a new skill - in particular, 3D design. With the aid of a 3D printer - an AnyCubic Mega-X[3] - and Autodesk[4]'s Fusion360[5].
This is a good question with probably an unsatisfying answer - there are many 3D design tools out there, including highly regarded entirely free options.
Autodesk has one critical thing going for it for me, though. I've been using the EAGLE[6] PCB layout and routing software package for decades - back in the 90s it was really the only game in town for auto-routing PCBs - and since Autodesk acquired EAGLE in 2016, it has been bundled into the Autodesk Fusion360 subscription. So, since I had access anyway - it seemed the logical place to learn.
One positive of this choice is that as much as I occasionally find the Autodesk UI absolutely infuriating, I cannot fault them for the quality of their online training materials. The videos and materials at the Autodesk Design Academy[7] are absolutely top-notch, and I have to recommend them.
Well, the best way to learn something is to play around with it and use it to make something. And in this case, I made something that someone else might even find useful - so I'm sharing the result...
Drum roll please...
It is... A *Spice Rack*. Serios.
When I was a schoolkid, children trooping home from woodwork[^2] class with a wooden spice rack was something of a stereotype. It was *the* starter project in schools across the country - take a piece of wood, cut and plane it a bit, drill some holes and pop some dowel in - job done. The fact that the spice rack concerned was likely to be greeted wearily by parents who would stuff it in the back of a cupboard at best or the bin at worst is neither here nor there - it felt like making something useful.
So - who am I to argue with generations of educators? A spice rack is the ideal starter project, so a spice rack it is.
Quite apart from that, I actually *need* a goddamned spice rack. Damn, that makes me feel old.
{{< figure src="img/spice-rack-render.jpg" caption="Behold - the spice tree!" captionPosition="right">}}
Actually, that's not really *it* - that's a 3D render of it produced from Fusion360. But it illustrates the design nicely - three tiers of support plates, from which plastic holders hang. Inside each of the holders go the spice pots. I'm sure Philippe Starck[8] would be proud. Well, maybe he wouldn't - but I am.
Of course, it's easy (well, within certain bounds) to produce a pretty 3D rendering. You're probably wondering what does the real thing look like? So, here you go - this time, fully laden with spices:
{{< figure src="img/spice-rack-real.jpg" caption="It exists!!" captionPosition="right">}}
Well, then I have good news for you! I'm sharing this under a Creative Commons[9] Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike[10] license. You can find all the files you need to print your own over at my GitLab repo[11].
Enjoy!
[^1]: Although Romania is such a beautiful country I have to confess I've taken the opportunity to see a little more via sleeper train, my favourite way to travel. Maybe I'll upload some photos here...
[^2]: Do they even still teach kids woodwork and metalwork any more? I do hope so,
1: https://gitlab.com/snowgoonspub/spice-rack.git
2: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4568115
3: https://www.anycubic.com/products/mega-x
5: https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/overview
7: https://academy.autodesk.com/software/fusion-360
8: https://www.starck.com/design/industrial-design/kitchen-tableware
9: https://creativecommons.org
10: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
11: https://gitlab.com/snowgoonspub/spice-rack
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