Latest news as of February 2010:

Apple's new "iPad":

Apple's new "iPad", announced January 27th, should be on sale in March/April, depending on the model you prefer. (WiFi only, or WiFi plus 3G) Check it out at http://www.apple.com/ipad/. Being an Apple fan, I fully expect this device to create a revolution in the area of portable media. It fits in so perfectly with today's "green" trend, that it will probably catch on in schools too, allowing many textbooks to be carried around in one package. The other advantage of "eBooks" is that they can be updated and re-released much faster than any paper counterpart. I think it's a great idea.

I'd expect this first model to dominate the "eBook" reader market, right away. With a few additions, which are sure to come, it'll probably become a great notebook substitute for many people, especially on aircraft, for watching movies, cleaning up presentations, etc.. Personally, I'm hoping for a slightly larger version, something like a touchscreen notebook, and with stylus support, for those of us who use Wacom products. We'll see…

CAD for Modelers, Volume Three,
"Modeling with modo" released 11-30-09

CFM_03 - "Modeling with modo" is available now. (Preview page here) Special thanks those who have already ordered this DVD.

Beginning with requests that came to late for this DVD, I'm already planning more releases in a "Modeling with modo" series. If you have a particular request for something you'd like to see covered, feel free to email me and let me know. (One caveat…I don't want to repeat ideas that already exist in other training material.)

Beginning in March or April, 2010, I'll post a preview page for the new DVD, "Modeling with modo, Volume Two".
Check out my 2009 Projects Gallery, here.

• Two renderings, and some nice comments, regarding my Cessna T-50 project, appeared in the November 2009 issue of "Scale Aviation Modeller International magazine. (Image from the article here) Nice!
• The Berkut/LongEZ has been one of the most-viewed models on my site at nextcraft.com for many years. Beginning in late 2009, I've completely rebuilt this model, to a much higher degree of accuracy, and with many more details. It should appear in my 3D catalog with a month or two.
  This one was built entirely in modo, using spline cages, with the end result being an almost entirely sub-d model. It's also rigged for animation. Click here for the article.
• The second most-viewed aircraft on my NextCraft™ site has been the Raytheon Super King Air B200. So, my next major aircraft modeling project will be the all-modo version of the B200.
• Mike Burnett, of Doghouse Animations, has created some very cool flight sim animations, using my F-22 model. View them on my site here, or on my YouTube channel.




• Rumors have been circulating for some time in regard to the idea that Apple might come out with a "tablet"-type computer. In February of 2009, I did a 3D model of my concept, which I labeled "iPad". It was strictly a fun modeling exercise, done in one day, and was part of my series of "n gadgets". (See the article here) When rumors surfaced again, in the summer of 2009, I sent MacLife Magazine the image, and much to my surprise, they selected it as "Photo of the Month" for the October 2009 issue. (scan at right, which is page 8)

Blog with RSS feed, images, and animation, on my MobileMe site

Brief 3D animation samples on my YouTube channel