Renae Patoskie Week 7: Slots

Following my 3D Printing Free Model project I wanted to continue exploring the Fibonacci Sequence, but with a more organic shape. To minimize rough edges I therefore only allowed my modular form a single slot that would not be visible once attached to the whole. My modular forms were designed with the intention of building outwards from the center piece in order to maintain clean outer lines.

I created my forms by deforming a circle into a petal or leaf-like form, to enhance the Fibonacci visual. On the basic form there are two difference slot placements, to add variety in the constructed design's capabilities. With the intent of using both the Fibonacci numbers 5, 8 and 13, I printed each part in those multiples with a few spares. This is also why my central shape is a octagon.

Illustrator outline of modular forms, with inner and outer cuts designated.

As I assembled each configuration, I could never settle for just one; similarly each assembly grew farther and farther from any likeness to Fibonacci. As the complexity of the design grew they did however become unstable due to the lack of intersecting slots. However I much prefer the versatility this left me open to, and should a true favorite present itself, there is always glue.

Design 1: Perspective View

Design 1: Arial View

Andrew Kelly: Project 1: Karmic Decay

Following are two views of my finished project, and the verification from shapeways. (one ring on the front flat surface is missing in the maya renders - the final iteration of the file, which differed only on that one point, got corrupted):

Perspective view showing the front of the model

 Perspective view showing the back/side of the model

Week one progress

I'm pleased with how it's turning out, but I feel like the sense of motion I desired initially is lacking. I wanted to portray an ebbing flow through a system, with the flow passing through the largest circular piece, partially recycled by the exterior tubes and partially lost by the reaching front tubes.

The grid spacing is 1", putting the figure at about 4 inches across, with completely clean geometry and correct normals.

Critiques, comments, or advice on how to better portray motion on a static model are appreciated!

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Thematic description

     I wanted to make a piece that would symbolize my own energy. I wanted it to remind me of an important dream I had a few weeks prior to the assignment of the project, in which I was the center of a decaying cycle. I had to continue to exert myself in waves to keep the flow in equilibrium, to resist losing myself to my environment. With this dream of flow and balance in mind, this model was made and refined over the course of the project. The catalyzing ring and the loops of energy that loose mass in the loose ends but are replenished by the ring as they near a full cycle. 

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Modeling Techniques

     For this project I utilized surface-based poly-modeling techniques in Maya, manipulating loops, rings, extrusions, 'bridges,' (similar/identical to lofting, but for polys) as well as a good deal of point movement and merging to get the edge flow to be as clean as it is with so many intersecting tubes and cylinders.

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It arrived!