Assignment 5 - 2D to 3D translations

This assignment explored the transition from designing a luminaire in either a 3D program, converting it to a 2D graphic for the purpose of fabrication (by means of a laser cutter, then reassmbling into a physical 3D model; or simply designing a 2-dimensional figure and physically maneuvering it into a 3D object.

Assignment 4 (phase 2) - The Asplund Luminaire

This is more accurately a continuation of the third assignment, in that we took the luminaire design from that project, placed it in a setting digitally, printed the composition, then sketched over it.

To do this, I used the underlay feature in FormZ to import a background image. I then copied and pasted the luminaire over the underlay image. I used the visual rotation tool to position the luminaire, and the uniform scale tool to size it appropriately. Next, I exported the image as a jpeg. After printing the image, I used it again as an underlay for the rendered sketches you see here.

Assignment 4 - Emergent Forms

In this assignment, we were to experiment with all the possible options available with two specific tools. Shown here are examples of objects that can be created using the "Spherical Object" and "Star" tools in FormZ.




The first group of objects shows how a Geodesic Sphere (the default setting) can be modified by changing the number of subdivisions under the Spherical Objects Option menu. Shown here is the progression of 2, 4, 8, 10, and 20 subdivisions, demonstrating the increasing intricacy of the final objects gridded body. The second grouping of objects experimented with changing the shape of the Geodesic Sphere by changing the radius of the object in one or more directions (X, Y, or Z).

The third group of objects demonstrates what objects can be created by changing the Shape description from the dropdown menu in the Spherical Objects Option menu (see attached image). Shown in order of their creation are: a tetrathedron (4), a hexahedron (6), octahedron (8), dodecahedron (10), isocahedron (20), soccar ball, a revolved sphere, or a geodesic sphere (the default option).

The predefined forms only allow you to change their radius, impacting their overall size. The Revolved Sphere, however, allows you to alter the length and depth of its resolution as well, allowing you to make the final object something other than symmetrical, but elongated or squat depending on the settings you choose. (In the end, this was probably my favorite tool, because of the options available to alter its predefined form).




The last group of objects shows how Stars are created. The menu options for this tool start with the Base Type, which include tetrahedron, hexahedron, octahedron, dodecahedron, isocahedron, soccer ball, geodesic level 1, and geodesic level 2. In addion you can select "dynamic" sizing to manually determine the star's size as you are creating it, or you can predefine the star's radius in the menu settings. Lastly, you are able to alter the "Ray Radius" of the star. The examples shown here demonstrate all of the aforementioned Stars in order, with a varying ray radius (left to right) of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% respectively.