The Wardian Engine

[Robotguy]

Hey all, I haven't posted in a while but I'm working on a major project and wanted to ask your preferences.

1. Build log or wait to post until it's finished?

2. I am using ChatGPT for in-process visualization images ("Hal, take this CAD model and make it look like a notebook drawing" or "Make this sketch photorealistic so I can see what a dark stain would look like for the panel.") I'm not trying to pawn any of it off as art, or original, but I'm aphantasic, so it helps me to visualize stuff. I couldn't find any site rules regarding AI generated images so I thought I'd ask if they're allowed, or if I should skip those and just show actual build or finished images (depending on the answer to #1).

[von Corax]

• I find build logs fascinating, but it's really up to you.
• Our long-standing policy on AI-generated images (which I am making up on the spot) is full disclosure, that is, they are acceptable as long as you make it clear that they are AI-generated. My avatar and the wiki logo are both by Midjourney, and we have an entire Fine Arts sub-board for Artworks by Artificial Entities.

[Robotguy]

Alright, here goes.

I acquired this at an antique fair a few months ago:


I decided to make it into an automated terrarium. First I started prototyping from foam:




Then I drew it up in CAD:


A few annotations added, and spruced up with ChatGPT:


And an AI visualization of what it should look like when it's completed:

[Sorontar]

Nice design. Hope you get it finished.

Sorontar

[Robotguy]

Time to translate this into wood. I'm using 1/2" 13 ply Baltic Birch plywood. I was originally looking at maple, but that was way too expensive. Here's the top plate. I added a 30 degree chamfer to the hole where the vessel will rest so it has a wider surface to rest on.




I've also cut out the bottom plate:


Next I'll work on the sides.