Watch this short video of the  Phantom at work in the trees near Monterey, CA.  Thanks and we hope you enjoy it. Video created by John Shulters at Ascension Studios.com and entered in the Dronefly.com competition for a new camera gimbal.  We’ll now be collecting multi-elevation tree photogrammetry data for our  treehouse design planning.

Check it out! Treehouse Masters tops the charts!   I don’t think this is a surprise to any of us who have been following the early episodes of the program, but it’s great to see that you and many others are tuning in to watch Pete Nelson and his crew build some amazing treehouses!  All of us at Treehouse Nation are huge fans and are looking forward to the upcoming shows on the Animal Planet network. Go HERE if you want to see what’s coming through July!

In an earlier post, I wrote about a new treesort coming to the beautiful island of  Kauai and promised updates as the project continues.  Here is a short video trailer to wet your appetite!  No pun intended, but there will be some wonderful native grown fruits and vegetables available to those who stay.

Video Preview! Kauai Treesort

See the entire treehouse go up in a 2 minute timelapse video!  Watch interviews with Pete Nelson, his son Charlie, lead forman Daryl and much more!  Check out all of the Treehouse Masters program information  HERE on the the Animal Planet Website!  Check your local cable listings for times. The Animal Planet website shows it airing Friday, May 31 at 10 pm ET/PT, but the cable schedule here in Northern California shows it airing at 7 and 9 pm PT.  Don’t miss it!!!

If you want to find out more about the first treehouse we’ll see on episode 1 of “Treehouse Masters”, CLICK HERE!

Check out the specifics on how to apply by CLICKING HERE! to contact the producers of the show and good luck…it could be you!! Here’s your opportunity to have your dream treehouse escape built in your own backyard by none other than the now infamous Pete Nelson.

 The countdown to Treehouse Masters episode 1 is underway.  7 days and counting to showtime!!

                      Treehouse Designing with Technologic

                                                     Placerville, CA

                                Using cutting edge hardware & software

                           to make better designs and better tree houses

                                    John Shulters @ Ascension Studios

                                   Michael Shulters @ Treehouse Nation

John Shulters presenting several digital treehouse design techniques using iPad apps and other programs.

Integrating technologies will make your designing easier, and more fun! There’s nothing easier than making a pencil mark on a piece of paper, but often we need to get a little more out of our designs than just lines on a page.

 “Remember the old adage “measure twice, cut once”

Getting everything right during design development is as important as during construction. Whether it’s simply adding fractional dimensions, computing complex angles, or detecting structural collisions before they occur, there are many tools available to the tree house designer to make the whole process easier and more accurate.

During this 2 day hands-on workshop, you’ll be shown several free tools that anyone can use, and you’ll also receive the training necessary to begin your design now! You’ll learn about the best digital tools used in the industry today.

Below are a few things we’ll cover in this course:

• A look into the technologist’s tool kit
• How to think in three dimensions
• How you can use free software as a starting point for your 3D design
• How advanced digital tools in skilled hands can take your design even further
• Mobile apps that can help in the field when planning, designing, and building
• How to better estimate costs of a project
• How to convey design intent to others on the project
• Ways to impress your family and friends with awesome visuals!

NOTE: Due to the nature of the individual training required, this workshop will be limited to 4 participants.

Workshop Schedule:

Day 1

Check-in & breakfast 8:00-9:00

Morning sessions  9:00-12:00

Group introductions

Greetings and Introductions

Treehouse projects

Learning goals

A look into the technologists tool kit

Photography

Videography

CAD & 3D applications

Learning how to think in 3D

Demonstrating various design solutions

Hands on with 3D games

Review treehouse books

Lunch 12:00-1:00

Afternoon sessions 1:00-4:00

Technology in the field; apps to help plan, design, and build

Site surveys using 123D Catch

Group exercise:  putting  it all together

Field Trips 4:00-6:00

Coloma: home of  California’s gold rush

Henningson Lotus Park on the  South Fork American River

Dinner & music 6:00-8:00

DAY 2

Breakfast 8:00-9:00

Morning sessions  9:00-12:00

Software hands-on

123D Catch: export your survey

Sketchup: plan and design your project

Revit/3ds max: take your design to the next level

Lunch 12:00-1:00

Afternoon sessions  1:00-4:00

Estimating the cost of your project

Conveying your design intent to others

Review: planning, designing, and presentation of your project

What a consultant can do for your project

Depart 4:00