The people at London-based sketch and modeling studio Gravity have found a way to turn Lego blocks into a digital modeling kit.
With the Lego X system, users can transfer the forms they’ve created with Lego into real-time digital files, Dezeen reports. The system recognizes forms built with Lego building blocks, and using location-mapping and gyroscopic sensors, it plots the position and orientation of each block to create a digital 3D model.
The tool models each block individually. If a physical block is moved, turned, lifted, or put down in real life, its digital “twin” in the monitor (a tablet or laptop) will behave exactly the same.
When multiple blocks form a larger cluster, they act as a single entity within the program. The saved files can be built upon more with image processing software, or sent to a 3D printer.
Dezeen believes that when the software is paired with the Lego Architecture Studio Kit, the technology “could provide a new tool for designing buildings” and prototyping.
Read more at Dezeen.
Related Stories
| Apr 10, 2014
Submit Your Project for a Bluebeam eXtreme Award!
Bluebeam is holding the second annual Bluebeam eXtreme Awards at the 2014 Bluebeam eXtreme Conference in Hollywood, Calf.
| Apr 3, 2014
Security, accountability, and cloud access: Can you really have it all?
I’ve heard countless stories of conversations between project engineers and IT professionals who can’t come to an agreement on the level of security needed to protect their data while making it more accessible—not only externally, but also internally.
| Apr 2, 2014
New Autodesk software allows visualization of more realistic bridge concepts
The Autodesk InfraWorks 360 family of offerings now includes enhanced roads and highways capabilities, better representations of graphical information, and fixed-length pipe modeling capability.
| Mar 26, 2014
Zaha Hadid's glimmering 'cultural hub of Seoul' opens with fashion, flair [slideshow]
The new space, the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, is a blend of park and cultural spaces meant for the public to enjoy.
| Mar 20, 2014
Fluor defines the future 7D deliverable without losing sight of real results today
A fascinating client story by Fluor SVP Robert Prieto reminds us that sometimes it’s the simplest details that can bring about real results today—and we shouldn’t overlook them, even as we push to change the future state of project facilitation.
| Mar 12, 2014
New CannonDesign database allows users to track facility assets
The new software identifies critical failures of components and systems, code and ADA-compliance issues, and systematically justifies prudent expenditures.
| Mar 10, 2014
Meet Tally – the Revit app that calculates the environmental impact of building materials
Tally provides AEC professionals with insight into how materials-related decisions made during design influence a building’s overall ecological footprint.
| Mar 10, 2014
Field tested: Caterpillar’s Cat B15 rugged smartphone
The B15 is billed by Cat as “the most progressive, durable and rugged device available on the market today.”
| Mar 10, 2014
5 rugged mobile devices geared for construction pros
BD+C readers share their most trusted smartphone and tablet cases. The editors select some of their faves, too.
Sponsored | | Mar 6, 2014
Rombald Inc. improves profits by customizing reports and managing multiple projects
By replacing spreadsheets with BillQuick, this growing consulting firm has greater visibility into its project financials.