1 Topic by Rocketman

  • Rocketman
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Topic: Geometric shapes

I was thinking of making models that basically morph one 2D shape into another 2D shape through the 3rd dimension. Basically if I was morphing a triangle into a hexagon while working up a column each point of the triangle would split into 2 points to help create the hexagon on the opposite end. How might someone accomplish this with a circle since there would actually be no points to work with?

2 Reply by cckens

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Re: Geometric shapes

Depending on your choice of modelling software, a circle might not actually be a circle, but rather a n-gon composed of say, 20-30 angled sides, maybe more.  When I model I choose about 32-48 sides for a circle which prints rather well.

This being the case, it would be rather easy to morph (lofting or skinning, as it's called in the modelling world) between shapes.  Blender, Hexagon, Wings3d, and I think even Rhino do this.  Wings3d and Blender are free options to use.  Not sure if Sketchup does this.

3 Reply by 2n2r5 (edited by 2n2r5 2013-07-23 04:22:17)

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Re: Geometric shapes

Rocketman wrote:

I was thinking of making models that basically morph one 2D shape into another 2D shape through the 3rd dimension. Basically if I was morphing a triangle into a hexagon while working up a column each point of the triangle would split into 2 points to help create the hexagon on the opposite end. How might someone accomplish this with a circle since there would actually be no points to work with?

like this?
http://2n2r5.com/pictures/printer/show-n-tell/rocketman_scad.png


You can download OpenScad here ---> http://www.openscad.org/ 

It is absolutely free. I added the file that I used to make this shape below.

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4 Reply by Rocketman

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Re: Geometric shapes

2n2r5 wrote:
Rocketman wrote:

I was thinking of making models that basically morph one 2D shape into another 2D shape through the 3rd dimension. Basically if I was morphing a triangle into a hexagon while working up a column each point of the triangle would split into 2 points to help create the hexagon on the opposite end. How might someone accomplish this with a circle since there would actually be no points to work with?

like this?
http://2n2r5.com/pictures/printer/show-n-tell/rocketman_scad.png


You can download OpenScad here ---> http://www.openscad.org/ 

It is absolutely free. I added the file that I used to make this shape below.


Yes, pretty much like this. Except not hollow through the middle and I'd consider making things more complicated than geometric shapes eventually. Maybe at one end Bruce Wayne's face, and batman at the other. lol.