# Making The Invisible, Visible with Sam Aldhaher

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2025-06-04
- Length: 1h 15m
- Episode: 695
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-06-04-making-the-invisible-visible-with-sam-aldhaher
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/695-making-the-invisible-visible-with-sam-aldahar/

## Summary

Chris Gammell, a power electronics engineer and 3D artist, explains how he uses Blender to visualize invisible electromagnetic and magnetic fields for educational and design purposes. He details a workflow starting with KiCad designs imported into Blender, where he adds realistic materials and lighting to create engaging animations. Gammell also discusses his custom open-source tools, ElectromagnetNodes and FastHenry, which integrate simulation solvers directly into Blender to calculate and visualize fields on PCBs and coils. The conversation highlights how this approach helps engineers build intuition for RF and power electronics by making complex physics visible and interactive.

## Chapters

- [0:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-06-04-making-the-invisible-visible-with-sam-aldhaher#t=13) Introduction: Chris Gammell and the goal of making invisible fields visible
- [3:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-06-04-making-the-invisible-visible-with-sam-aldhaher#t=182) Getting started with Blender: From CAD to mesh and the learning curve
- [6:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-06-04-making-the-invisible-visible-with-sam-aldhaher#t=383) Workflow: Importing KiCad designs and adding realistic materials and lighting
- [11:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-06-04-making-the-invisible-visible-with-sam-aldhaher#t=669) Simulating magnetic fields: Using OpenEMS, ANSYS, and custom Blender solvers
- [14:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-06-04-making-the-invisible-visible-with-sam-aldhaher#t=891) Open-source tools: ElectromagnetNodes and FastHenry integration
- [26:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-06-04-making-the-invisible-visible-with-sam-aldhaher#t=1597) Validation: Comparing simulations with physical prototypes and professional tools
- [32:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-06-04-making-the-invisible-visible-with-sam-aldhaher#t=1968) Visual fidelity: Shaders, geometry nodes, and surface imperfections
- [44:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-06-04-making-the-invisible-visible-with-sam-aldhaher#t=2640) RF visualization: Animating electric fields and antenna radiation patterns
- [57:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-06-04-making-the-invisible-visible-with-sam-aldhaher#t=3472) Advanced examples: PCB motors, SAR simulations, and human interaction
- [1:11:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-06-04-making-the-invisible-visible-with-sam-aldhaher#t=4261) Learning path: The Blender Donut tutorial and next steps for engineers

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Blender (tool)
- KiCad (tool)
- ANSYS (tool)
- OpenEMS (tool)
- FastHenry (tool)
- ElectromagnetNodes (tool)
- Elmer (tool)
- CST (tool)
- HFSS (tool)
- Altium (tool)
- Fusion (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Freeing EEs to Design Like Tony Stark](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2024-05-07-freeing-ees-to-design-like-tony-stark) (Moore's Lobby)
- [Ep008: The Art Episode: Joe Kim, Strings And CRTs, Hydrogen Done 2-Ways](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-03-01-ep008-the-art-episode-joe-kim-strings-and-crts-hydrogen-done-2-ways) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [324: I'll Let You Name Your Baby](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-03-19-324-ill-let-you-name-your-baby) (Embedded.fm)
- [Ep 370: Softer Cyberdecks, a Simulated Clutch, and an Overstuffed Mailbox](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-05-22-ep-370-softer-cyberdecks-a-simulated-clutch-and-an-overstuffed-mailbox) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [314: Why Are Wings Needed in Space?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-12-20-314-why-are-wings-needed-in-space) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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