Thesis I (process) DIGTAL BABY!

The process for these pieces, involves sveral mediums and practices from modern 3d modeling through processes thousands of years old. Working to make a consistant body of work, I often start with drawings. As is the style with much of my work these drawings are done using Scrap materials, construction paper, paint, the works.

From there, the drawings go into a 3d modeling program to be built virtually. the programs i am currently using are Google sketchup, and Rhinoceros 3D this is an image of one potential shape done in Rhino at a half render.


This file is created by creating and adjusting curves in the program. then creating a developable surface over the two curves. the developable surface is important. The main Idea for using modeling programs is to allow the computer to do most of the math for us. In the early stages of this project, the shapes of the curves were done longhand using a combination of calculus, algebra, simple trigonometry and a several conic equations.

it is impossible to define a round shape from flat surfaces without distortion. A true round shape is comprised of what we call complex curves, or curves with multiple orientations. in the surface of a typical ellipsoid, there are curves which theoretically can run in an infinate directions, but for the sake of simplicity, we consider the three directions of x,y, and z, respective to a cartesian space. even though three sounds relatively simple compared to the prospects of infinity, Because the material we are using is essentially Two dimensional, we have to make our shapes comprised of a two dimensional shape as well.

This method is applied to common materials such athletic equipment, the soccerball is based on a formula laid out by mathematician Buckmeiseter Fuller, A baseball cap is composed of six triangular sections, to the slightly less Common fabric patterns in sails, hot air balloons, parachutes. and even the steel patterns used in the construction of water towers, containers, bouys, the hulls of ships etc etc.

From here, once the shape is created using simple curves (defined by a grid pattern flexed in one dimension. in the case of this example longitudialy.) the patterns are created by unrolling the remaining curve. creating a shape like this from our first image.