Artist showcases impact of Rhino on pottery design

By—  Brandy Voirin

Working with Rhino software to create something tangible is a lot harder than it looks, but that’s what artist Camila Friedman-Gerlicz taught pottery students Oct. 30 in the NE Campus library.

Camila Friedman-Gerlicz demonstrates how to design pottery and sculptures using a 3-D software program.
Camila Friedman-Gerlicz demonstrates how to design pottery and sculptures using a 3-D software program.

Students first created clay cups on Rhino software.

“Mastering Rhino takes practice,” Friedman-Gerlicz said. “I encourage students to watch YouTube tutorials and just practice, especially since it’s available in the library.”

Instead of starting at the potter’s wheel and hoping artwork turns out right, students can obtain exact calculations by starting with Rhino software, she said.

The drawing board should be the first place for students.

First, they start with a sketch, drawing, physical model, scan or an idea. Then, Rhino provides the tools to accurately model and document designs ready for rendering, animation, drafting, engineering, analysis and construction, she said.

Karmien Bowman used 3-D printing to create her cups.Karen Rios/The Collegian
Karmien Bowman used 3-D printing to create her cups.
Karen Rios/The Collegian

“Rhino is very similar to mathematics,” she said. “In the beginning phases, you are just solving the problem, similar to starting with a lump of clay. You hope it will turn into something. But with higher levels of mathematics such as calculus, you are now looking to prove something instead of solving something. The same goes with Rhino.”

Rhino has saved Friedman-Gerlicz from making costly mistakes, she said. She wishes Rhino was around when she was in college.

“Learning to use Rhino now will be instrumental in students’ designing success,” she said. “From boatmakers to making plates, functional and or sculptural pottery, Rhino can really lend a hand if you learn to use it well. It’s where the industry is going. Everything is being designed through Rhino first. TCC students are very blessed to have this software at their disposal.”