Mushroom Photogrammetry to Cufflinks

This 3D printing was created for a school project. I chose mushrooms for my subject matter because of their interesting morphology and textures. Even though the structure of a mushroom is the same among all species (cap and stalk), there is a wide variety of identifying characteristics that individualizes each type. For my project, I chose the trumpet, lion, and oyster mushrooms. The trumpet mushroom can be characterized with a strong, thick stalk and bulky cap with visible gills. Meanwhile, the lion mushroom has a furry texture and branching cloud-like growths similar to cauliflower. Finally, the oyster mushroom has a concave cap with pronounced gills and grows stemming from one another. Using the mushroom morphology, I was able to convert it into a 3D model and adopt it as inspiration for unique cufflink design.

This is an instructable for the course I am taking at the California State University, Long Beach, "DESN 551: Materials, Tools, and Techniques of Prototyping" taught by Behnaz Farahi.

https://www.instructables.com/member/Behnaz%20Farahi/

Supplies

Mushrooms
Lightbox
Lazy Susan hardware
Thick Poster Board
Wooden Dowel
Nail/Hammer/Pliers
Poster Putty
Camera
Agisoft Metashape Software
Autodesk Meshmixer

Create Lightbox Photogrammetry Rig

Cut shape from posterboard to cover and stick to lazy susan hardware
Cut wooden dowel to fit light box (approx. 15 cm)
Use hammer to fix nail to top of dowel and pliers to clip top of nail
Use poster putty to stand wooden dowel on posterboard circle/lazy susan
Fix lazy susan hardwear to light box using poster putty

Add Mushroom to Rig

Fix mushroom to nail on wooden dowel (rig should be able to freely spin without mushroom falling)
Optional: Use poster putty or glue to hold mushroom down if necessary

Set Up Camera Tripod and Start Taking Photos

Set up camera and angle it to minimize shadows; add extra lighting if necessary
Take a photo and rotate rig approximately 20-30 degrees
Repeat until rig has rotated 360 degrees and entire subject matter has been recorded

Upload Images to Photogrammetry Software and Build 3D Model

Upload photos taken with camera to metashape software (Workflow > Add Photos)
Align photos to create sparse point cloud and set camera positions (Workflow > Align Photos)
Build dense cloud based on camera positions and pictures; can adjust quality depending on preferences (Workflow > Build Dense Cloud)
Build mesh to generate surface and 3D polygonal mesh model (Workflow > Build Mesh)
If desired, create texture (Workflow > Build Texture)
Export model as .stl file for editing in Meshmixer (File > Export > Export Model)

(Any photogrammetry software can be used. I used Agisoft Metashape because of its ease of use while retaining great quality results)

Repair Model and Add Cufflink Tail

Import .stl file in Meshmixer
Trim parts that are not desired for cufflinks and remove unnecessary objects (Select > Edit > Discard)
Use sculpt tool to smooth bumps and textures (Sculpt > Brushes > BubbleSmooth/ShrinkSmooth)
Add cylinder and adjust to fit model (approx. 20mm) (Meshmix > *select cylinder shape; Edit > Transform)
Make solid (Edit > Make Solid)
Duplicate and mirror (Edit > Mirror)
Export .stl file for 3D printing (File > Export)

Upload for 3D Printing

Upload .stl to FabPilot and configure to desired printer settings and material (I used black PETG)
Optimize and add lattice interior
Orient upright and add supports
Send 3D model to production

My school offers 3D printing through the FabPilot program. If you have your own 3d printer, follow your printer's instructions

Wear Cufflinks

Wear these cufflinks to your next formal event!