Magic Box (entirely new)
- Designer: Studio Ludens
- Published: Sep 7, 2010
- Number of designs: 1
Short Description:
Last year Magic Box was a tool that helped you to make custom boxes that fit their content. This year, Magic Box will help you to make your own parametric designs!
With this new version we want to
- Bridge the gap between DIY experts and novices - Let the experienced ones help the new folks through a two-faced app: an editor for developing parametric designs and viewer for playing with the template’s parameters
- Promote flexible DIY design and sharing design knowledge - Because parametric design is a catalyst for the open design movement
Use a parametric design
The viewer features simple controls that let you tune a design template to your liking. It now also includes SVG exporting, so you can modify and iterate on your customized designs in other vector-based programs.
Create a parametric design
The new editor offers you a way to develop your own templates. You have the power over the SVG drawing language with some nifty ways of including variables, repeating elements and using simple calculations to make all parts of your design parametric. Somebody can also choose to use your design for their own purposes, so try to think about what parts of your design they might want to change.
Some of the new features include:
- Magic box is now an online tool, so it works right away
- The source code is free for everybody to use and to change (MIT license)
- Parametric designs can be made by everybody
- Easy interface for regular fablab users
- Powerful scripting for designers and engineers
- More fun in the design process
Learn more & make stuff
homepage: http://www.magic-box.org
Google code: http://code.google.com/p/magic-box/
Project team: http://www.studioludens.com
Feedback & discussion forum: www.getsatisfaction.com/studioludens/products/studioludens_magic_box
Get involved!
We'd love to get your user feedback about the software. We've launced a forum where you can ask any question and share any ideas, issues or praise regarding Magic Box.
Contact us if you want to participate in the project. We could really use your help with interface & software development, upgrading the website and the creation of an online sharing platform.
Credits
People who have contributed to this project:
Alexander Rulkens (initiator)
Vanessa van Houtum
...and many more! Thanks guys!
The idea is inspired by Thingiverse.com, a site for sharing parts that can be made with open-source 3D printers.
