I chose to 3D model the watch that I wear a lot of the time, a Garmin. The shape has some complexity to it because of the buttons and the strap connection pieces. I started with a circle and extruded it to make the basic shape. I added some rounded buttons on both sides and changed the material of the center to glass. If I were to spend more time working on this model I would add some text, icons, and colorization, and maybe attempt to add the curves in the metal that connect to the strap.
I spent around 30 minutes in Blender messing around a while ago, so navigating the 3D space wasn’t too difficult for me. What I found more challenging was sifting through the wide range of options presented to me. Once I figured out where the basic tools were and grasped the process behind the sketching system, I was able to create the simple shapes that I needed, like the circular watch face and the rounded buttons.
Placing the buttons in the correct positions on the sides of the watch was a challenge. I’m sure there is a slick and accurate way to place them evenly on all sides, but I wasn’t ready to figure that challenge out just yet. I just copied the first one that I made and moved it to where I wanted and eyeballed the positioning.
Creating smoothly curved shapes can be challenging, especially when they are abnormally shaped like the pieces on the bottom and top of the watch face. I made compromises when it came the uniquely curved edges, including the edges above the buttons in the image below. For new users, I recommend using the combine function when working on the general shape of a model. Rather than extrude, you can combine multiple different bodies to create unique shapes. You can also use the fillet tool to make nice curved edges on any shape, which I found useful when making the buttons on my watch.
I can see how 3D modeling in software like Fusion or Blender could be useful for creating replicas of real life items so that people around the world can view models of them rather than looking at pictures, which can be limiting. On top of that, as physical artifacts disintegrate over time, they could be preserved in 3D models. Making these models with today’s software is very time consuming and specialized, so I would imagine that current applications will be geared toward single items and buildings rather than larger and more detailed artifacts like cities or landscapes. Beyond those applications, I can imagine how 3D modeling could be very useful in educational situations, and maybe even in medicine/sports medicine.
3 thoughts on “3D Modeling My Watch”
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I really liked your model. When I saw it, I knew immediately it was a Garmin (forerunner 230?). I totally agree with your point about how 3d models can be used to enhance our education. Instead of looking at pictures people can look at the objects themselves through a model.
I also found the fillet tool very useful to bevel edges that needed it. I didn’t know that there was a combine function that allowed you to make new shapes! Your point about the archiving of physical objects resonates with me as well, I think that a lot of valuable artifacts and concepts can be preserved through 3D modeling and scanning. Eyeballing definitely helps when you’re new to the software, as am I.
Wow your watch looks awesome! The small buttons along the side are especially impressive. I feel like there are a lot of real world applications for 3D modeling like you mentioned, both on a small and large scale. The small details do take a lot of time, but the preservation and education uses make this a super valuable tool.