A little bit more about Design Creations

Design Creations is a jack of all trades and master of a few. Don't want to say none, because we do have some nifty tricks up our sleeve.

Sonja first began experimenting with 3D using GMax in 2003 when it was bundled with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004. It took her around a year to get familiar with the interface. She later transitioned to 3DS Max and to continues to favor that application.

In 2004, She was introduced to the Virtual World Second Life. Although she enjoyed creating in SL, she struggled to get the hang of it compared to her experience with GMax or 3DS Max. However, in 2010, SL introduced mesh, which allowed her to use 3DS Max to create objects and import them into the Virtual Grid. This marked the birth of Design Creations. Alongside her wife, Nikki, they embarked on a creative journey, producing houses, furniture, architectural features, and various items. They eventually transitioned from SL to InWorldz and even attempted their own grid. Unfortunately, they lost interest and stopped creating due to the frustration caused by people's demanding behavior and the drama that ensued in the virtual worlds.

They took a break from the virtual world but had a windfall in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. This allowed them to dust off Design Creations, convert our garage into a workshop-den, acquire tools such as a GlowForge, 3D printer, and small CNC machine, and get back to creating!

They have been consistently refining their 3D printing knowledge and skills, relearning 3D modeling techniques, and exploring laser engraving, etching, and cutting, even attempting to master CNC machining, which has proven to be a challenging task.

Currently, they spend most of their time downloading and modifying designs from Thingiverse, MakersWorld, Printables, MyMiniFactory, and Cults3D. Occasionally, they'll create 'from scratch' designs as needed. Though not an "organic" modelers; they focus on architectural items, inorganic objects, building blocks, and very geometric designs. On occasion, when they get creative and come up with something more fluid, but that usually requires a particularly good day and possibly an "altered state of mind." (And we won't go into details about what that means... ;-) Let's just say it often involves long periods of insomnia and lack of sleep!)

Recently, they've been exploring new software and expanding their skills by delving into AutoCAD, Revit, and Inventor to excited to improve precision in design work and take advantage of Revit's unique interface, which offers a distinct approach to architectural designs.

Fun times ahead!

The Trolls and Oompa Loompas of Design Creations