>*"I'm very comfortable with being productive. I like doing things, and I like creating things."*
[**- Jennifer Lopez -**](http://www.azquotes.com/quote/1281530)

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Performances of [**Beauty and the Beast**](https://classicalacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/2017-2018-Theater-Dates_v1.pdf) are almost two weeks out, and [**Tech Week**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technical_week) doesn't begin until the 16th.

<H3>Finally having time to catch my breath,</H3>

I'll take this opportunity to begin describing the design process and some of the design details of the props I've created for the upcoming production.

**NOTE:** In this series of design articles, clicking on most images will reveal a full-sized version of the image in case you want to examine the nitty-gritty details.

<H3>As inspiration for The Windmill prop,</H3>

the director pointed me to [**the 2017 Disney movie**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beauty_and_the_Beast_(2017_film)) production of Beauty and the Beast. Here's a clip from that movie, showing Belle's father, Maurice, in his workshop working on a Windmill Music Box.
https://youtu.be/D_4ubeXICDk
<H6>Maurice and his Windmill Music Box<BR>A Disney movie clip via YouTube</H6>

Based on initial discussions with the director months ago, I learned what specific elements were essential to her vision for The Windmill prop.

<H3>The director did not need or want:</H3>

* Detailed internal workings
* Metallic filligree
* Hinged openings
* A music box movement

Her basic requirements were that I create a recognizable windmill with moving, rotating blades. It had to be large enough to be readily seen by the audience, but small enough not to hide a somewhat diminutive Maurice behind it.

<H3>As you can see in the next photo,</H3>

that's why my version of The Windmill is nothing like the movie version.
<a href="https://steemitimages.com/DQmSSww7QizdABmpbKQyXr9UVNAYHArhSEDBCqddssf6PPD/Windmill3.jpg">
  <img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmSSww7QizdABmpbKQyXr9UVNAYHArhSEDBCqddssf6PPD/Windmill3.jpg" alt="Table of Contents" style="border:0;" width="100%;"></a><H6>My version of Maurice's Windmill Music Box.<BR>Original image by **@creatr**</H6>

What I've ultimately produced meets the director's fairly simple requirements.

However, from the outset, it has been my desire to make all three of these key props--The Windmill, The Magic Mirror, and The Enchanted Rose--as excellent and "over the top" as possible.

And so, going slightly above and beyond the director's demands, The Windmill is internally illuminated. It also has a removable blade that Maurice can install as part of the action in his workshop scene.

<H3>How did I go from concept to final product?</H3>

I began with [**a Google image search for "dutch windmills"**](https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&q=dutch+windmills). Looking at dozens, maybe hundreds of windmill photos, I decided on the features that seemed to me to be most characteristic. I settled on a hexagon for the shape of the footing. Most of the windmills have variably sloping sides, but I simplified that to flat sides.
<a href="https://steemitimages.com/DQmY1tREN1GZ9oZcaWeEtYmiBPm6MYkG1qLuaXcd6LeDxcU/20180407_100518.jpg">
  <img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmY1tREN1GZ9oZcaWeEtYmiBPm6MYkG1qLuaXcd6LeDxcU/20180407_100518.jpg" alt="Table of Contents" style="border:0;" width="100%;">
</a><H6>Preliminary paper models and some printed scrap.<BR>Original image by **@creatr**</H6>

<H3>I made a preliminary paper model.</H3>

The paper model was merely to give me a rough idea of the right size and shape for the prop. Because other theater companies may wish to use a prop like this, I chose to implement most of it with a 3D printer.

<H3>3D printing is the bomb.</H3>

Designing and implementing with a 3D printer provides amazing options for the maker. For example, it is possible to "slice" out a subset of a design and print only that small part to check how well your design fits. The slender white part in the center of the photo above is a test print of the lower edge of the windmill roof, printed to check how well it would fit at the top of the windmill.

However, gravity influences 3D printing. Design elements like the catwalk that goes around the mill must be temporarily supported by printed material. Sheets and fragments of black plastic in the above image are that support material, now broken off and discarded. However, one piece did double duty as a test subject for the paint job I would later give The Windmill to give it a weathered appearance.
<a href="https://steemitimages.com/DQmS3zvuRavGxp1qX5Jk9ZMg3U5GkeMgY4XceubtyGbvpSG/20180127_090653.jpg">
  <img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmS3zvuRavGxp1qX5Jk9ZMg3U5GkeMgY4XceubtyGbvpSG/20180127_090653.jpg" alt="Table of Contents" style="border:0;" width="100%;">
</a><H6>Windmill catwalk support material.<BR>Original image by **@creatr**</H6>

<H3>In the photo above, taken during printing,</H3>

you can see the support material underneath and holding up the catwalk. It seems like a lot of material to waste, but I guess we're stuck with the waste until we develop anti-gravity 3D printing technology.
<a href="https://steemitimages.com/DQmYBkgrk35HBges6Poq5z2ZbANQSoD8mnyMfJTSo6KEeqL/Screen%20Shot%202018-01-26%20at%206.51.04%20PM.png">
  <img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmYBkgrk35HBges6Poq5z2ZbANQSoD8mnyMfJTSo6KEeqL/Screen%20Shot%202018-01-26%20at%206.51.04%20PM.png" alt="Table of Contents" style="border:0;" width="100%;">
</a><H6>Some Windmill components during the CAD design process.<BR>Original image by **@creatr**</H6>

The Windmill design was created with [**Autodesk 123D Design**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autodesk_123D), a program that I've been using for about five years. Unfortunately, Autodesk has abandoned the program; however, I'll probably continue using it as long as it works on my computer. Although it has a few glitches and annoying properties, 123D Design is capable of amazing and very detailed design work.
<div class="pull-left">
<a href="https://steemitimages.com/DQmYfQm4eep1rE1Lrg6eDk9nPWaFdKMJWKygRyHP4ZngDCy/Screen%20Shot%202018-03-30%20at%203.02.23%20PM.png">
  <img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmYfQm4eep1rE1Lrg6eDk9nPWaFdKMJWKygRyHP4ZngDCy/Screen%20Shot%202018-03-30%20at%203.02.23%20PM.png" alt="Table of Contents" style="border:0;" width="100%;">
</a><H6>The Windmill Music Box - Design Complete...<BR>Original image by <B>@creatr</H6></div>

The 3D design of The Windmill comprises five components; the windmill body, windmill roof, one of four identical vanes/sails, window frame appliqués, and the hub for the four sails.

Each of the components was designed individually, but in the image to the left (with the exception of the white window frame appliqués), I've assembled them into an image of the final product.

In the photo below, you can see four printed vanes plugged into the central hub.

The hub is designed to fit onto the end of an electric gear motor. This view is of the back side of the rotor. Notice that the hub has a 'D' shaped socket that is designed to fit over the keyed shaft of the gear motor.
<a href="https://steemitimages.com/DQmZfkqRBZCS5YgPM93jMvZAKiTJp7X17XjqhbuGVeYMjVD/IMG_1341.JPG">
  <img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmZfkqRBZCS5YgPM93jMvZAKiTJp7X17XjqhbuGVeYMjVD/IMG_1341.JPG" alt="Table of Contents" style="border:0;" width="100%;">
</a><H6>Windmill Hub and Four Vanes<BR>Original image by **@creatr**</H6>

<H3>See the red marks on one blade?</H3>

Not visible to the audience, they are intended to make it easy for the actor to identify which vane to remove and later insert as part of the "Maurice Workshop" scene.

<H3>The roof was printed in one piece.</H3>

Even more amazing, it was printed *without* support material. When 3D printing, if you have designed a very gradually changing slope, it is at times possible to "creep" to the side as you go up from one layer to the next, and not have everything collapse.
<a href="https://steemitimages.com/DQmTpECKe8wtF1RgzjcyahbAQ4os4WUvqqyKUBBkWprGXvw/IMG_1338.JPG">
  <img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmTpECKe8wtF1RgzjcyahbAQ4os4WUvqqyKUBBkWprGXvw/IMG_1338.JPG" alt="Table of Contents" style="border:0;" width="100%;">
</a><H6>The Windmill Roof<BR>Original image by **@creatr**</H6>

The roof is a very thin shell, and watching it being printed was something of a nerve-wracking experience. I was quite relieved when it finished printing without collapsing. I probably should have videoed the process.

After the roof was printed, I wiped some paint onto the white plastic roof to give it a weathered appearance.

Also quite amazing, much of the catwalk railing printed without any supporting material. I'd like to ask the people that designed the printing software how they decide where to put support material and where to leave it off.

<H3>In our next installment,</H3>

we'll look at some of the internal and operational details of The Windmill. Thanks for your interest in this project!

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<center><H3>~To Be Continued~</H3></center>

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If you're just tuning in, here are *previous* entries in this series (including ruminations) about prop-making:
<center>[**Prop-Making for Beauty and the Beast**](https://steemit.com/life/@creatr/prop-making-for-beauty-and-the-beast)
[**"The Ocean of Life" - A Haiku by Duncan Cary Palmer**](https://steemit.com/poetry/@creatr/the-ocean-of-life-a-haiku-by-duncan-cary-palmer)
[**"When Wandering Wizards Wonder..."**](https://steemit.com/poetry/@creatr/when-wandering-wizards-wonder)
[**"Finally Out to Sea..." a Haiku by Duncan Cary Palmer**](https://steemit.com/poetry/@creatr/finally-out-to-sea-a-haiku-by-duncan-cary-palmer)
[**Beauty and the Beast Props - Enchanted Rose ~Teaser~**](https://steemit.com/story/@creatr/beauty-and-the-beast-props-enchanted-rose-teaser)
[**Beauty and the Beast Props - Magic Mirror ~Teaser~**](https://steemit.com/story/@creatr/beauty-and-the-beast-props-magic-mirror-teaser)
[**Beauty and the Beast Props - Windmill ~Teaser~**](https://steemit.com/story/@creatr/beauty-and-the-beast-props-windmill-teaser)
[**Beauty and the Beast Props - The Director Is Happy!**](https://steemit.com/story/@creatr/beauty-and-the-beast-props-the-director-is-happy)
[**Fine-Tuning The Rose for Beauty and the Beast**](https://steemit.com/story/@creatr/fine-tuning-the-rose-for-beauty-and-the-beast)
[**How I Designed And Built Maurice's Windmill for ~Beauty and the Beast~ Part 1**](https://steemit.com/story/@creatr/how-i-designed-and-built-maurice-s-windmill-for-beauty-and-the-beast-part-1)
[**How I Designed And Built Maurice's Windmill for ~Beauty and the Beast~ Conclusion**](https://steemit.com/story/@creatr/how-i-designed-and-built-maurice-s-windmill-for-beauty-and-the-beast-conclusion)
[**How I Designed And Built The Magic Mirror for ~Beauty and the Beast~ Part 1**](https://steemit.com/story/@creatr/how-i-designed-and-built-the-magic-mirror-for-beauty-and-the-beast-part-1)
[**How I Designed And Built The Magic Mirror for ~Beauty and the Beast~ Part 2**](https://steemit.com/story/@creatr/how-i-designed-and-built-the-magic-mirror-for-beauty-and-the-beast-part-2)
[**How I Designed And Built The Magic Mirror for ~Beauty and the Beast~ Part 3**](https://steemit.com/story/@creatr/how-i-designed-and-built-the-magic-mirror-for-beauty-and-the-beast-part-3)
</center>

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<H6>**P.S.** If you have an "in" with anybody at [**Steemit, Inc.**](https://steem.io) - Would you please ask them to *get rid* of these damn, [**extremely annoying**](https://steemit.com/steemit/@creatr/registering-my-discontent-stop-screwing-with-the-u-i) "off-website" arrow/boxes? The have, overnight, made Steemit ***ugly***. There are [***much* better solutions.**](https://www.solodev.com/blog/web-design/how-to-make-an-external-link-pop-up-modal.stml)</H6>

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<center><H3>For more true-life stories, CLICK our Library Stories Shelf.</H3><a href="https://rebrand.ly/4d6c">
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<center>***LOOK!*** Check out our amazing product:<a href="http://SILVERengines.com/steemit">
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</a><H6>Introducing: The **SILVERengines** ***proton*** - Image by @creatr<BR>CONTACT US - Will Exchange for Steem</H6></center>

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<center>**Thanks for your time and attention.**<BR>**You**  *are why I'm here on Steemit!<BR>I have very eclectic interests and hope, over time, to write about them all.*</center>

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<center><H4>⬇️To Check Out @creatr's World⬇️*CLICK* Each Image Below⬇️</H4></center>

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