From:	Wildfire Wildfire@*************.com
Subject:	Questions of great importance (Steve, Jon, RA:S peopleespecially)
Date:	Thu, 02 Sep 1999 16:37:49 -0400

Ereskanti@***.com wrote:

> In a message dated 9/2/1999 11:30:21 AM US Eastern Standard Time,
> sommers@*****.edu writes:
>
> >
> > The whole CAD/CAM building idea is just a continuation of current
> > development. The Boeing 777 was the first commercial craft designed
> > completely on the computer before any prototype was built. Each subsystem
> > was loaded onto the main system and assembled with the rest of the
> > components. When it was ready, they ran a program (I think it was called
> > Bob) that simulated a maintenance worker, who crawled all around the
> plane.
> > From there, they figured out what would be hard to access and changed the
> > esign to make it easier to get into.
> >
> > Doing this for a building would actually be easier, especially with the
> > simsense rigs from the Matrix doing the job in true 3-D.
>
> Okay, mild story time here, with a question. Did *anyone* else see that show
> on Discovery/The Learning Channel concerning "One Step Beyond" or
something.
> It had Kate Mulgrew (Kathryn Janeway of ST:Voyager) doing the voice/narration.
>
> Anyway, there was something *really* cool in it that I have to admit I was
> shocked to see. It had a setup that could build models out of
> epoxy-polymer/resin using a laser. The laser would trace the outline in the
> resin, and whereever the resin traced would solidy. The layer was lowered
> down, and the laser system continued on its' merry work. In about 2-3 hours
> I think it said they had a too-specification model of the space shuttle
> (exterior) ready for usage in other places (like wind tunnels or advanced
> rendering concepts). It was cool as I could imagine and wondered if this
> kind material and setup could be done as a "shop" in SR.
>
> I was imagining using this as the setup for doing simpler, more impact
> related, armors, possible bod 0/1 drone chassis, or even just
cases/"extras"
> that a runner would need.
>
> Hell, with something like they were showing I was imagining someone coming up
> with a custom-designed gun that would be fully functional (if just light
> powered) and being "built" inside the casing to something else. Made to
form
> gear....
>
> -K

Can't say that I specifically saw that show, but I do remember watching some sort
of documentary about 3-D visualization which mentioned that. Also had a little
snippet about shared virtual environments, both of which sound like cool ideas. I
like your ideas about the resin and things inside of things. I think it would be
entirely feasable. The other thought I had with the shared virtual environments
was how good is the security as to who is allowed in? Imagine a decker being able
to "help" design a building or facility of a mega corp...

Wildfire