Introduction: Cardboard Cowboy Boot
I love cowboy boots, and while I own numerous pairs in leather, this is the first I own in cardboard. It's extra special to me because I made this myself. The cowboy boot was inspired from a design project in which we were given the task to create a perfume bottle for a choice of scent. I picked leather, since I've grown up around it, and voila - here is my prototyped perfume bottle!
You will need:
- A real cowboy boot
- an iPad
- Software: 123d catch, 123dmake, meshmixer
- Access to a laser cutter
- 3 pieces of cardboard cut 12" by 24"
- Craft glue
You will need:
- A real cowboy boot
- an iPad
- Software: 123d catch, 123dmake, meshmixer
- Access to a laser cutter
- 3 pieces of cardboard cut 12" by 24"
- Craft glue
Step 1: Catch the Cowboy Boot - 123d Catch
This step is easiest if you use the 123d Catch application on the iPad. Take multiple captures of the boot - a 360 degree view should be covered with the pictures you take. I took about 16 pictures for this example. Once you are satisfied by the pictures, process your catch. The application is very helpful in the steps needed to take in order to process the catch.
Step 2: Download the OBJ Filer
Once your catch has been processed, you can view your product in 3d form. As you can see, the catch didn't come out perfect, it has some holes and the background is also stuck to it.
But not to worry! We can use meshmixer to refine our product. Use this great instructable to learn the basics of meshmixer and clean up your catch. Once you are happy with your final 3d rendering of your catch, download a .stl or .obj file from meshmixer. You can do this by clicking on File > Export.
But not to worry! We can use meshmixer to refine our product. Use this great instructable to learn the basics of meshmixer and clean up your catch. Once you are happy with your final 3d rendering of your catch, download a .stl or .obj file from meshmixer. You can do this by clicking on File > Export.
Step 3: 123d Make and Laser Cut!
Log into 123d Make and begin a new project. Upload your OBJ or STL file. 123d make will create sheets of shapes for you to put together. Download the sheets once it's processed your file - these will be downloaded in EPS format. You can play around with the size and height of how large you want the sheets to be.
In this case, with access to a laser printer for which the largest sheet size is 12 by 24, I exported sheets in those measurements. You can use Illustrator to open the file and then sent the job off to the laser printer!
In this case, with access to a laser printer for which the largest sheet size is 12 by 24, I exported sheets in those measurements. You can use Illustrator to open the file and then sent the job off to the laser printer!
Step 4: Glue and Enjoy!
Once the laser cutting is completed, you can use the numbers on the different shapes to stack together your boot. I used craft glue to stick the pieces together!