UK university trials Leila Sujir's 3D freehand drawing software
Bath Spa University has become the first British University to trial a type of 3D drawing software during a week of workshops run by the Bath School of Art and Design. The software, called Sandde, was developed by Janro Imaging Labs which has been working in collaboration with Studio Arts associate professor Leila Sujir.
The software enables users to actually draw freehand in mid-air. The resulting image floats in the space in front of them, while other users wearing 3D glasses can also interact with it in real time. It was originally created by IMAX co-founderr Roman Kroitor.
The software has been trialled in the UK by art and design students and academics, during a week of introduction to the software that included practical instruction on how to use it, as well as discussions around the evolution of 3D art and other new approaches to visual and performative media arts.
The workshops were run at the Bath School of Art and Design by Sujir from Concordia and animator David Seitz.
Anthony Head, senior lecturer in interactive Art and Design at Bath Spa University said: "The week of demonstrations, talks and experiments by Leila and David was a real eye-opener in terms of increasing the consciousness of the act of drawing. Engaging with Sandde has enabled people to re-evaluate how they draw, what the act of drawing means, as well as thinking about the possibilities of where this can go in the future. At Bath Spa University, we're looking forward to developing artistic practice and research collaborations in this area, building on the art school's history and strength in art and design research."
"As someone who has had a hand in making and marketing the tool, it's been rewarding to see it dropped into a new environment, where students and researchers immediately begin to push it in new directions. There has been a lot of invaluable feedback here, as well a strong instinct to uncover the depths of Sandde and even break it if possible. I mean that in a good way, as it tends to reveal what is unique to this mode of creation on a deeper level," said animator David Seitz.
Sujir commented: "David and I are grateful for the invitation to visit and collaborate with staff and students at Bath School of Art and Design. It's been really exciting to have the drawing workshops as the mode of exchange. As the week went by deep and philosophical conversations emerged about the nature of drawing in 3D as well as 2D."