Digital Fabrication

Broaden your relief printmaking skills to include fun and innovative methods with laser cutters. This exciting virtual workshop examines how laser-cut blocks can expand the possibilities of a playful and multilayered approach to making hand-pulled prints. We move fluidly between digital and analog processes, exploring and learning how each can inform our printmaking process and contribute to a flexible, evolving practice of art making. Individual files are laser etched at Anderson Ranch and mailed back to students to print with by hand. Everyone leaves the workshop with files, blocks, finished prints, and ideas of how to integrate technology into their printmaking practices. This three week workshop will use Zoom Video Conferencing software (download free from Zoom.com) to facilitate the class sessions. An Anderson Ranch staff member will coordinate the online platform. Further details will be emailed to registrants.

Take your digital fabrication skills to a higher level in this advanced virtual workshop all about the CNC router. Demonstrations include design considerations for outputting to a 3-axis CNC, but the emphasis is placed on writing 2D and 3D toolpaths. Students learn everything from feeds and speeds, to bit selection, to 3-axis machine operation. This deep dive into the complex process of computer-aided machining (CAM) empowers participants to push their artistic practices into a new realm of fabrication. Previous CAD (computer-aided design) experience is necessary to enroll in this course. Though no specific software is required for CAD, we will use V-Carve Pro and Fusion 360 for toolpathing. The workshop culminates in a final project to be fabricated on the CNC routers at Anderson Ranch and mailed back to students with shipping and materials covered by the studio fee.  This workshop meets 4-5:30PM on Mondays and Wednesdays for group sessions, and 4-5:30PM for office hours. Please note that the first Tuesday only will be a group session, not office hours. Zoom Video Conferencing software (download free from Zoom.com) will be used to facilitate the class sessions. An Anderson Ranch staff member will coordinate the online platform. Further details will be emailed to registrants.

In this workshop, students learn to use the CNC (computer numerically controlled) Router and Rhino 3D CAD (computer-aided design) software with the objective of producing a small lighting fixture or stand-alone illuminated object. Participants learn how to design for the CNC Router as well as how to integrate some traditional methods alongside digital fabrication techniques. An emphasis is placed on translating three-dimensional objects into two-dimensional toolpaths.