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Thanks for voting! Your interest has been shared with Gracie Abrams

What kind of behind-the-scenes videos do you want to see from Gracie Abrams?

Hi, I’m Mark Rober. I’m a former NASA engineer and YouTuber, with 23 million subscribers and 3 billion views on my creative engineering videos. In my Studio, I’m sharing my real, behind-the-scenes, engineering process: Watch me build new inventions from start-to-finish on camera, as I explain everything I’m doing and thinking in detail. I also teach all the juicy science and engineering, so you can follow along with my process and build your own creative inventions. If you’ve ever wondered what it actually takes to build the things I share on YouTube, I’m giving it all away here.

Mark explains how the best build ideas are motivated by great stories.

Story-Motivated Builds

Mark narrows in on an idea for his build, using his brainstorming process.

Brainstorming

Mark shows how to fully and properly research your ideas and define requirements for your builds.

Research Part 1: Requirements & Exploration

Mark demonstrates how to evaluate various design options and settle on a direction for your build.

Research Part 2: Experimentation & Design

Mark demonstrates how to construct a fast and functional prototype for a build that can continue to be iterated on. 

Constructing a Functional Prototype

Mark shows how to take a prototype over the finish line, making it functional, aesthetic, and able to tell a story. 

Putting the Pieces Together & Finalizing the Build

In this video series, I share my entire, start-to-finish engineering process on camera, as I build a brand new invention from scratch, right in front of you. Along the way, I share and explain everything that I'm doing and thinking in detail — every idea, decision, tool, and technique.

 If you've ever wondered how to bring your ideas and imagination to life, you can follow the step-by-step engineering design process I teach in this series to do exactly that. It's the same process I use for all my YouTube videos, and the process I used at NASA and Apple.

 Essentially, you'll learn exactly how I do what I do behind the scenes, from how I come up with my viral build ideas all the way through bringing the final builds to life.

 In the process, I'll be explaining my approach to the following topics:
 -   The Engineering Design Process
 -   Creativity and Coming Up with Ideas
 -   Materials and Build Techniques
 -   Principles of Mechanical Engineering
 -   Pneumatics, Springs, Motors, Solenoids, and Advanced Tools
-   Research and Exploring Design Options
 -   Prototyping and Testing Designs
 -   Designing and Running Experiments
 -   Telling the Story of Your Build
 -   And a lot more

 In this series, I also make sure to teach you all of the skills you need to successfully follow along with my process. While you watch, feel free to follow along step-by-step to create your own creative invention alongside me.

Building a New Invention From Start to Finish: My Full Creative Engineering Process

Mark explains how electrical engineering can open even more possibilities for creativity, and begins brainstorming the build.


If you’d like to work through the example projects Mark builds in this video, either during or after watching the video, you can reference the [Build Guides](https://rober-build-resources.studio.com/build-guides/electrical), which contain step-by-step descriptions and images, to help you do so.

**Note:** Mark mentions Ohm’s Law, or “V=IR”, when he is determining which resistor to use for his circuit. The calculation he does in the lesson is an estimate to see if the resistor size he found on the internet roughly matches the scale of the resistance he would expect to need for that circuit. In reality, the calculation is a little more complicated, since the voltage drop across the resistor itself will be less than the full voltage of the power source — the rest gets used up by the LED! You can find more information about that calculation [here](https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/tools/led-resistor-calculator/), although if you’re using the [Build Guides](https://rober-build-resources.studio.com/build-guides/electrical) or other pre-planned Arduino examples, you should be able to determine the resistor you need from the descriptions or [color code](https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/reference/chpt-2/resistor-color-codes/) in the diagrams.


Electrical Engineering & Arduino Overview


If you’d like to see the code Mark wrote to run his proof of concept, you can download it [here](https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/monthly.admin.media/mark-rober-engineering/Code/Lesson+10/motorStepperSimple-FINAL.ino). Don’t worry if you don’t understand it yet. Mark will do a walkthrough of an updated version of this code in the next video!


Researching & Making a Proof of Concept


In this video, Mark mentions Grace Hopper, who coined the term “debugging” when she had to remove a moth from her computing machine. Grace Hopper was a mathematician and computer science pioneer whose contributions to the field include _the very idea of an English-based programming language,_ which is the basis of modern computer programming. All of the code you write, or see Mark write, in this class, builds on her work! You can learn more about her story [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meeCAFacrG0).


Prototyping & Debugging


You can access Mark’s final Arduino code for the Dot Printer [here](https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/monthly.admin.media/mark-rober-engineering/Code/Lesson+12/DotPrinter-V5.ino), as well as the [image file](https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/monthly.admin.media/mark-rober-engineering/Code/Lesson+12/image.h) he used.


Optimizing & Finalizing the Build

In this video series, I share my entire, start-to-finish engineering process on camera, as I build a brand new electronic invention using an Arduino (a programmable microcontroller). Along the way, I share and explain everything that I'm doing and thinking in detail — every idea, decision, tool, and technique.

 If you've ever wondered how to create things using electronics, you can follow the process I teach in this series to do exactly that. It's the same process I use to make many of my most popular builds, like the Glitterbomb, the Automatic Strike Bowling Ball, and the Automatic Bullseye Dartboard.

 In the process, I'll be explaining my approach to the following topics:
 -   How to design and create electrical circuits using a breadboard, wires, and resistors
 -   How to utilize sensors like accelerometers, light sensors, sound sensors, and temperature sensors
 -   How to control effectors like LEDs and servo motors
 -   How to write code to program the Arduino microcontroller (you'll be able to follow along even if you've never coded before)
 -   My entire research and design process
 -   And a lot more

 In this series, I make sure to teach you all of the skills you need to successfully follow along with my process. While you watch, feel free to follow along step-by-step to create your own creative invention alongside me.

Building an Arduino Project: My Complete Electrical Engineering Process

Mark explains how to create an even more complex build with a more compelling story

Brainstorming an Advanced Build


In this video, Mark walks through his build requirements and the research phase for his advanced engineering build. He also introduces [Raspberry Pi](https://www.raspberrypi.org/), which is a microprocessor, like Arduino, that can be used to control electronics.

- Arduino and Raspberry Pi are both “brains” for your circuits. They help you translate inputs from sensors into specific actions in effectors using code.
- An Arduino is a microcontroller that can run a simple program on a loop — for example, checking the light levels in a room and turning on an LED when the light sensor reports a low level of light.
  - Mark uses an Arduino in his electrical engineering video series. Most of Mark’s builds use Arduino, including the Automatic Strike Bowling Ball and the AutoBullseye Dart Board.
- Raspberry Pi is a small computer that can do what Arduino can do, but it can also run multiple programs at the same time. For example, it can monitor both the light levels and the temperature in a room, and use those inputs to trigger multiple different actions, like turning on a light or a fan.
  - A Raspberry Pi also has additional ports, like an HDMI port, which means that you could plug it directly into a monitor.
  - It’s slightly more complicated to write code for a Raspberry Pi, which uses the Python coding language, than for Arduino, which uses C++.
  - A Raspberry Pi can also handle a number of more complex functions like image processing, which Mark uses to identify colors on the sides of a Rubik’s cube in this build.
  - If you have a Raspberry Pi, you can reference the Raspberry Pi projects and documentation to help you [get set up](https://projects.raspberrypi.org/en/projects/raspberry-pi-setting-up). They also have a lot of resources for specific functions, including [camera setup](https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/raspbian/applications/camera.md) and example projects.
- You can download Mark’s Python code from his proof of concept [here](https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/monthly.admin.media/mark-rober-engineering/Code/Lesson+14/capture_color_noCube.py).
  - He also uses the [Python PIL Library](https://pillow.readthedocs.io/en/stable/).
  - You can also see the final code for this build, which Mark will talk about more in the next few videos, [here](https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/monthly.admin.media/mark-rober-engineering/Code/Lesson+16/Rubiks+Blender.zip).


Research & Design


This video is an optional video in which Mark walks through the process of creating a CAD model for his build, and introduces the basic CAD functions. Feel feel free to skip this video or come back to it later if you’re not interested in CAD right now.

**What is CAD**

- A CAD model serves as a digital representation of your build, and it can help you design components and quickly prototype different design configurations.
  - There are a lot of different CAD programs that you can use. Here are the ones Mark talks about in the video, and a few other popular options.
    - [Autodesk Fusion 360](https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/personal) is what Mark uses in this video. It’s free for one year for non-commercial use.
    - [Tinkercad](https://www.tinkercad.com/) is always free, and it also is a great option for kids.
    - [FreeCAD](https://www.freecadweb.org/), [OpenSCAD](https://www.openscad.org/) and [Blender](https://www.blender.org/) are all free and open-source. OpenSCAD is mainly aimed at programmers and Blender is more commonly used for animation than engineering.
    - [OnShape](https://www.onshape.com/en/) and [Google SketchUp](https://www.sketchup.com/) both have cloud-based options.
    - [Shapr3D](https://www.shapr3d.com/) is a good option for people who prefer to work on an iPad.
    - [Siemens NX](https://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/global/en/products/nx/nx-for-design.html) and [Solidworks](https://www.solidworks.com/) are high-end programs most often used for industrial applications.
  - You can access Mark’s final CAD file [here](https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/monthly.admin.media/mark-rober-engineering/CAD/Rubiks+Blender+Assembly.step).

**CAD Basic Functions and Resources**

- Like Mark says in the video, there are a few core functions in CAD modeling, which can be combined to achieve complex results. We’ve included the links to some extra resources for each of them from the Fusion 360 documentation.
  - If you are using a different program, you may want to find equivalent documentation since the implementation may be different, although the principles should be the same.
  - The main functions are [Sketch](https://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/courses/AP-C-DESIGN-SKETCH-BASICS), [Extrude](https://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?guid=SLD-EXTRUDE-SOLID), [Revolve](https://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?guid=GUID-D74BB28A-9570-43AD-97A4-E094021C036B), Edge Blend (or [Fillet](https://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?guid=GUID-5B845B1C-0324-40BD-9415-CEADA7339EE9) and [Chamfer](https://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?guid=GUID-24978F85-2B8D-4346-AFC3-7455EC718B49), depending on the blend type) and [Shell](https://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?guid=GUID-BD394AD0-D18B-4664-B770-4CEFBC11BFD2). The other functions Mark uses to make his model are [Pattern](https://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?guid=GUIDE86746AC-03D4-4909-812D-128D855ED02C) and [Mirror](https://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?guid=ECD-MIRROR-DO).
  - You can also import existing CAD models that other people made, to incorporate into your design, modify, or use as-is. Mark got his Rubik’s Cube model file from [GrabCAD](https://grabcad.com/library).
  - Fusion 360 also has specific resources to help you prepare files for [3D printing](http://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?guid=GUID-68E1405F-207E-4D16-9BD7-6B3417E85DFD) or [laser cutting](http://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?caas=caas/video/youtube/watch-v-U4s2p2epaeg.html).

**Printing or Fabricating Modeled Components**

- Once you have modeled your components, you could either fabricate them yourself or send them to a company to fabricate, usually using either 3D printing or laser cutting.
  - 3D printers extrude layers of melted filament to build parts in 3 dimensions, but some take a long time to produce a part.
    - If you’re interested in investing in your own 3D printer, you can check out the [Original Prusa i3 MK3S+ 3D printer](https://shop.prusa3d.com/en/3d-printers/181-original-prusa-i3-mk3s-3d-printer.html#) or the [Ultimaker S3](https://www.dynamism.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=utlimaker+S3), which are similar to Mark’s printers (the Ultimaker 3 is no longer available). You can also look into smaller, less expensive printers, like the [da Vinci mini w+](https://www.xyzprinting.com/en-US/product/da-vinci-mini-w-black) or the [M3D](https://store.printm3d.com/collections/3d-printers/products/the-micro-plus-3d-printer), or take on the project of [building one yourself](https://all3dp.com/2/how-to-build-a-3d-printer-from-a-kit-or-from-scratch/).
    - You can get your designs printed by companies like [Shapeways](https://www.shapeways.com/), [Craftcloud](https://craftcloud3d.com/), and [3D Hubs](https://www.3dhubs.com/).
    - You can also check to see if there is a makerspace near you where you could access 3D printers, in a local library, university, or [Fab Lab](https://www.fablabs.io/labs), for example.
  - Laser cutters can only operate in a single plane, by cutting or engraving shapes on flat pieces of wood, acrylic, or other materials. They can produce 2D components very quickly.
    - If you’d like laser-cut components but don’t have access to a laser cutter, you can send your designs to a company like [Ponoko](https://www.ponoko.com/laser-cutting) to produce for you, or search for a local makerspace that has one on sites like [Nation of Makers](https://www.nationofmakers.us/find-a-makerspace).
    - If you’re not fully confident in the size of the part you are ordering, you may want to order a few copies: the design size, a copy at 90% of the design size, and another at 110%.


BONUS: Modeling with CAD & 3D Printing


In this video, Mark finishes and tests his build. He also gives a quick recap of his CAD modeling process, so don’t worry if you skipped the bonus video.

- You can access Mark’s final Python code for the Raspberry Pi [here](https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/monthly.admin.media/mark-rober-engineering/Code/Lesson+16/Rubiks+Blender.zip), and his final CAD file [here](https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/monthly.admin.media/mark-rober-engineering/CAD/Rubiks+Blender+Assembly.step).
- If you’re interested in learning more about custom printed circuit boards (PCB’s), you can find an overview of the design and fabrication process [here](https://www.build-electronic-circuits.com/pcb-design/).
- Mark also mentions a specific circuit board called [Crickit](https://www.adafruit.com/category/996) (**C**reative **R**obotics & **I**nteractive **C**onstruction **Kit**), which allows him to connect multiple components in a compact manner within his build.


Prototyping & Making the Final Build


In this bonus video, Mark walks through his process for scripting and editing videos.

- Mark mentions a few different video editing programs in this video:
  - [Adobe Premiere Pro](https://www.adobe.com/products/premiere.html#mini-plans-web-cta-premiere-pro-card), which has a 7-day free trial. This is what Mark uses.
  - [Final Cut Pro](https://www.apple.com/final-cut-pro/trial/), which has a 90-day free trial and is only available on Mac or iOS.
  - The [Avid](https://shop.avid.com/) products, which are primarily used for professional-quality audio recording and editing.
  - [iMovie](https://www.apple.com/imovie/), which is free and easy to use, but only available on Mac or iOS.
- Mark also suggests a few sources for music for videos.
  - One is [Epidemic Sound](https://www.epidemicsound.com/?_us=adwords_brand&_usx=10143944040_epidemic%20music&gclid=CjwKCAiAxp-ABhALEiwAXm6IySC_6yJ7qaJcGjriyktoCdloLuulT-94pMlvlv0kf7nJADwVfvAHNRoCPP8QAvD_BwE), which provides access to royalty-free music. It has a 30-day free trial.
  - He also mentions a couple of specific artists he likes: [Andrew Applepie](https://andrewapplepie.bandcamp.com/) and [Blue Wednesday](https://bluewednesday.bandcamp.com/).


BONUS: How to Make a Mark Rober Style Video

In my other video series on Studio, I show the parts of my process that anyone can follow. This video series is where I share all the most advanced tools that I use, for those who want the deepest look into my full set of techniques.

 In this series, I share my entire, start-to-finish engineering process on camera, as I build a highly ambitious project: I convert a blender into a secret safe (using 3D printing and CAD) that gets unlocked if I place a solved Rubik's Cube inside (using computer vision, Raspberry Pi, and a custom printed circuit board).

 Along the way, I share and explain everything that I'm doing and thinking in detail — every idea, decision, tool, and technique.

 In the process, I'll be explaining my approach to the following topics:
 -   Building programs on the Raspberry Pi (more powerful microcontroller) vs. Arduino
 -   Designing custom parts in CAD
 -   Printing custom parts via 3D printing
 -   Thermal engineering
 -   Manufacturing custom printed circuit boards
 -   Computer vision & custom code
 -   My entire research and design process
 -   And a lot more

Behind the scenes videos from Mark Rober

Building a New Invention From Start to Finish: My Full Creative Engineering Process

$129.99

Building an Arduino Project: My Complete Electrical Engineering Process

$129.99

My Advanced Engineering Process: Raspberry Pi, CAD, 3D Printing, PCBs, and More

$129.99