Mo and I collaborated on our 3D-Printing project.  We had an amazing experience using Google Sketchup and the 3D printer.  There truly was a lot to learn during the process, and here are a few pictures of our process:

First Draft:  The first drafts (four versions) mocked up on sketchup, I honestly had doubts, because it seemed like it took us a long time to create something so simple.  None the less, we developed something that we put time in, and that we were proud of.  When it came to printing the object, it seems the "simpleness" may have been the defining factor why our object didn't print as expected.  Since we complicated the design so much, it proportionally complicated the print job.  There were inconsistencies throughout our "Party Pad" (i.e. contained solids and hollow shapes made by planes), such that "we got what we asked for".

Well, we had to put that all behind us and try again.  This time, simplifying our object, and keeping everything a solid.  We truly couldn't fail.  Afterwards, we were satisfied with our product, and learned a lot during the process about the design process, and gained more insight about the 3D-Printer.  There was one blemish in the final product.  Our quote by a Sufi poet Hafiz has the "t" missing in the third to last line.  Instead of reading "It lights the Whole Sky", it says "I lights the Whole Sky"; it doesn't seem to bother too many who read it.

If we had more time, it would be nice to design this on the MakerBot as well, which is a lot stronger.  For the time being, this is awesome to actually create something 3D and be able to share with others.  Truly we invision a real party pad where we can all come together and live it up to the fullest!  

-Paul (in collaboration with Mo Akade)