Principal Investigator Patricia Maes
Project Website http://vimeo.com/92121110
Clearcut is a system for direct manipulation with laser cutters. The system consists of a semi-transparent, projected display and optical tracking system interfaced with a laser cutter so that users can draw and edit virtual graphics on top of their work piece which can then be cut by the laser cutter. The system also helps users make virtual copies of physical artifacts. Clearcut offers advantages currently only accessible with hand fabrication, such as letting users adjust designs quickly and iteratively based on visual feedback by virtue of stylus, and letting users use ruler, protractor, and more as if they were working on the physical piece directly.