About the SHIVA Project
What is the SHIVA project?
Sculpture for Healthcare: Interaction and Visual Art in 3D (phew!) or ‘SHIVA‘ as it is more simply known is a research project. The project has produced accessible software which enables people who have disabilities to create 3D sculptures which can then be printed using a 3D printer. This software is known as the SHIVA software and is completely free to use!
The software can be accessed using a touch screen as well as ‘cursor control’ methods such as joystick, trackball or even mouse and keyboard. It can also be controlled using just a person’s eyes:
What equipment is needed to use the SHIVA software?
You will need a fairly current computer, ideally with an Intel Core i5 or i7 CPU (or equivalent) and dedicated nVidia GPU. The more powerful the better. If this terminology means nothing to you, we can advise on this.
Depending upon the requirements of the person who is using the software, you may also need alternative access equipment suited to the individual’s access requirements, for example: a touch screen, joystick, eye gaze unit etc.
I can’t wait !! Where can I get the software from?
Please contact Oleg Fryazinov.
Background to the project
The SHIVA project is a research project that was primarily funded by a European Union research grant and involved organisations from both England and France. The English partners are Bournemouth University and Livability Victoria Education Centre (a SEND school in Dorset). The project was initially funded by the Interreg IV A “2 Seas” Cross-border Cooperation Program in 2009-2014 and has since received additional funding.
More recently, the SHIVA project has received further funding from Research England through the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF).
The SHIVA project team consists of academic researchers and SEN practitioners.
A software package has been created which enables SEN students to create 3D sculptures which can then be fabricated using 3D printing technology.
